Constant cough, post nasal drip, and swollen sinuses and throat

[jimdc58]

I have, over the last approximately 15-20 years suffered from swelling of the back of the tongue and the throat, and of the sinus cavities, perpetual unproductive cough, continual sinus drainage down the back of the throat and sometimes to the front of the nose, and overall fatigue and depression as a result. It has gotten so bad that I have had to give up the running and sports in which I used to participate. It is a hindrance to my overall quality of life. I have had several courses of immunotherapy over my life, beginning as a child, and currently. I last suffered asthma when I was 12. I have since taken several spirometry tests and a methacholine challenge test which all proved negative. I have had a bronchoscopy taken which showed nothing, but also had a nasal endoscopy resulting in decision to perform septoplasty. This relieved the stuffy noses I was having, but drainage and cough have worsened. (NOTE: I question whether this is a cause of my increased coughing problems.) Other tests taken have been upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy (negative), thyroid function tests (showed normal), nasal endoscopy (showed no changes since septoplasty), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (showed normal), and laryngoscopy of vocal cords (showed normal; however it found thickened and boggy nasal turbinates), blood gas test (showed normal). Have found LARGE doses of prednisone help greatly (methylprednisolone, less so), but also cause side effects. Am currently taking Astelin and Rynatan as a steady regimen and Flonase semi-regularly. I am at my wit's end....any other ideas?

[beachlady1]

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[kcs36092]

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[MandyGirlT]

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[yamisick]

Hello. Ok, I've finally found people willing to talk about these symptoms and the possibility that there is somthing going on here. I also have been to countless doctors who try to tell me that I have allergies, a sinus infection or a cold. The problem here is that it never goes away. I can relate to everything that you have all said here on this board. I also have noticed that other people around me catch this, including my boyfriend and co-workers. Has anyone else noticed that this is contagious? And then I think that what happens is that eveyone is so embarrased to talk about it and they just try to cover mask the symptoms. It all started for me with a severe flu like sickness. It was different than all other colds that I've ever had. This was about 6 years ago. The symptoms seem to just keep getting worse. I am hoping that the doctors on this panel decide to tackle this once and for all. If there is no cure, if this is some kind of  virus, I at least want to know what I am dealing with. I think that possibly the CDC even knows of this virus and information is being held from the public. I do believe that it is spreading, because I am running into more and more people every day who seem to be affected by the same strange never ending symptoms.

[mrtay]

Everyone of you should at least try Colodial Silver spray or drops. It works for me when my post nasal drip gets overwhelming.  I purchased mine at a health food store.  They offer drops or one with a nasal spray attachment.  Please read up on it.  Very interesting stuff.

[Axeman]

I've had the same symptoms every autumn for the last 4 years and it typically lasts for about 3 months. The problems seem to start as soon as I catch a cold and began when I lived in Canada. I'm now living in Florida and I still get it.

Drystan tablet used to be the only thing that offered me any relief but it put me to sleep all the time (not good at the office). Finally, I tried using Mucinex DM and I can finally talk at work and sleep through the night. I've tried a less potent copy from Walgreen but it stops after 3 hours. The Mucinex lasts longer than 4 hours with no other side effects.

I realize it's not a cure but being able to sleep through the night has done a lot for my state of mind (and my marriage).

I hope this helps someone out there.

Sleeping in Florida.