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?

[mitt321]

I've been reading alot in these forums about sinus and throat problems. I have alot similar similar symtoms. I've also noticed that I am dehydrated, too.  Which lead me on a search about chronic-dehydration.  I know this will not fit everyone situation.  But, when I have a feeling of thick phlem in my throat (often after eating) I have notice that I haven't been drinking water.  Just soft-drinks (with caffine).  The way I see it, a puddle of water becomes a thick mudpuddle without much water.  Hence the phlem that you hard to cough up.  It sensation  disappears completely, in a half a day, away after periodically drinking glasses of water.

If this is a factor in alot of our daily lives, thank about this.
Is it the medication we take for minor problems, twice daily.  Or might it be the extra amount of water we clense our bodies with.  Just a thought...

[RickGB]

I sure read alot about the same types of symptoms throughout these threads.  Excess mucus seems to be the main constant.  I have very simular symptoms: constant throat clearing because of mucus, hacking to remove it, it never really goes away, not reflux related, sticky post nasal drip, etc.  I have seen many Dr.'s.  I was tested for allergies to no avail. I saw a nose/throat specialist, no answers other than a possible cyst in my sinus.  I've tried nasal sprays, antibiotics, nasal washes, antacids, reflux meds, diet changes, fiber cleansing, deep tongue scraping(helps somewhat temporarily), herbs, vitamins, threelac, etc.  The best I can figure through all of my research is that it may be yeast related or a result of an acidic body. With that said, no answers in how to rid this disgusting and consuming problem. With so many people suffering from this problem there has to be someone out there with a answer or treatment. Hopefully there is help out there.  I am getting sick of spitting as is my girlfriend.

[repooc]

My problem started with an upper resp infection about 18mos ago. I've never had this as an adult & I definately hadn't had the type of fever it came with but I was "shot up" with some type of intrevenous antibiotic & the infection went away. About 2 days later I noticed that when I took a deep breath my throat & chest hurt as if I just came back from a 10 mile jog outside in hot weather in a smoggy city!! Then came the PND, for 30 days it was so bad I coughed until I threw up! Funny how I felt better after I vomited, the PND would stop for about 1hr of full relief! I ended up losing 30 lbs! I learned how to control my coughing so I would'nt throw up & I haven't done so in about 4mos. What's interesting is that I've also had these skin irritations that just won't go away either. When my cough get's better my skin conditions get worse, when my skin conditions get better & almost dissapear my cough gets worse???!! My dermotoligst said it was a yeast infection?! Then I thought I found the answer to what was ailing me. Candida overgrowth! I bought all this stuff off the internet & it was pure snake oil! But then again I was the dummy who didn't get the blood culture test first, that actually came back negative last week for the candida yeast overgrowth. The doctors I've been to & believe me I've been to all the specialists, can't figure out whats going on. They keep pointing the finger back at another doctor. You would think with all the people going through this they would figure out what the deal is by now. I truly believe there's a connection between the skin problems, the PND & coughing. But pawning it off as an allergy, bronchitis, acid reflux, esopheragal reflex, is just bad medicine.

[marcusl]

i also have some quiet wheezing sometimes . diagnosed with mild asthma .

[jimdc58]

I wish I had some ideas for you, but, alas, I wouldn't be posting on this website if it weren't for I was looking for ideas as well. I don't have any "wheezing" issues. Have you had a spirometry test done yet to see if you have asthma? Most of my problem comes from the swelling caused from the constant drainage. My tongue feels like it's doubled in size.

[Pakman]

Hey jimdc58, I have also done the surgery and noticed more fluid at the back of my throat.  I sometimes cough it out but most of the times nothing comes out.  It just produces a nasty dry cough that won't go away.  I have a question for you though.  Do you notice any type of wheezing sound when breathing?  I notice a small wheezing sound when breathing.  I'm currently taking the Pulmicort inhaler which is not doing anything for me right now.  I have an appointment to see an Allergist to see if I'm allergic to anything.  My next step is to see a Respirologist if the tests come out negative.  Any suggestions on what helps your cough?  Thanks.