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Constant lung clearing/throat clearing/nasal drip

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Posted 4/29/2011 3:35 AM (GMT 0)
For as long as I can remember, in the mornings and at night in particular, I have had post nasal drip that goes into my lunds that then requires that I hack it out of my lungs. This wakes me up in the morning and keeps me from getting to sleep at night? I have spring allergies and have taken shots for 25 years. This isn't seasonal, but year-round. I've tried seeing if it could be anything that I eat, but I don't see any correlations and I don't eat/drink dairy. Any help would be, well, helpful confused

Thanks!

Rick

Posted 5/1/2011 2:44 PM (GMT 0)
Rick,

Hello and welcome to HealingWell.  I am glad you found us.  I am wondering if you have even seen a ENT to get a medical screening exam re this constant post nasal drip ? Perhaps you have a sinus problem going on and not just allergies.

Just my 2 cents this morning.

Kindly,

Kitt

 

Posted 5/1/2011 2:59 PM (GMT 0)
Kitt,

I have only been to allergists. I don't know if all of it is due to sinuses. When I'm laying in bed sometimes I swallow mucous without bringing anything up from my lungs. This would be the post nasal drop I'd assume. Most however comes from my lungs.

Coffect me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't post nasal drip run down the back of my throat into my esophogus, not my trachea, given that the trachea is in front of the esophogus?

Also, if the post nasal drip were actually dripping down my trachea I would think it would make me cough immediately given how sensitive the trachea is to foreign materials, like even a splash of water gone down the wrong pipe. Plus, when I bring up phlegm from my lungs, it doesn't seem to be coming just from the top of the lungs, but deeper down where post nasal drip wouldn't be.

So I think there are two things going on, and if I could fix the lung issue I would imagine I would be happy. Some days are worse than others.

My allergist did recommend once that sinus water cleanse kit, but I've never quite tried it. It seemed to me to be a very temporary solution that would only last until your body made more mucous to replace the amount that you washed away.

Thanks.
Posted 5/1/2011 6:50 PM (GMT 0)
Maybe it's silent reflux? I had it for years. Acid was spilling over into my windpipe causing deep coughing and gunk in my throat.
Posted 5/1/2011 6:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Joy. I know what regurgitating into your windpipe feels like and this isn't anything like it. So probably not, unless silent reflux is different than regurgitating acid.
Posted 5/1/2011 10:47 PM (GMT 0)
I didn't feel any acid just gunk and choking on phlem.
Posted 5/1/2011 11:47 PM (GMT 0)
Okay. But this only bothers me at night before I go to bed and in the morning before I get up. I eat throughout the day so I doubt it is that, right?
Posted 5/2/2011 2:36 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Rick,
Actually after dinner and bedtime could be a very big reflux time if your LES is weak. I also have experienced exactly what you are describing, and it is very difficult to pin down. Those symptoms can come from chronic sinus problems, allergies, asthma, and reflux. Good luck figuring out the cause.

Silent reflux (LPR) can cause lots of problems without you even knowing you're refluxing.

Here is a website with information that you might find interesting:
heartburn.about.com/od/gastrictractdisorders/a/whatis_LPR.htm
(If the link doesn't work, copy and paste it into your browser window.)

You might want to pop over to the GERD forum and share your problem. Like Joy, LPR was something I thought of when hearing about your problems.

Whenever I visit my allergist/asthma doc it's always a discussion about the cause of all that mucous. LPR is certainly a possibility.

Good luck getting to the bottom of the problem.
Take care,
Denise

Post Edited (dencha) : 5/1/2011 8:41:33 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/2/2011 3:05 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks. If I fasted for a day would that eliminate this as a potential problem if I still had the same issue before bed? Or does this still occur on an empty stomach? Maybe I'd have to be in a real fast that shuts down the digestive system?

Thanks.
Posted 5/2/2011 1:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Rick,
If you have less in your stomach, it puts less pressure on the LES, if that's what's going on. You don't need to fast, but eat early. You could have several small meals rather than one big one.

Never go to bed earlier than 2, preferably 3 or 4 hours after you eat.

Try elevating the head of your bed 5-8 inches (using blocks or bed risers). It lets gravity help out.

I do believe that those of us with these chronic PND problems, there is so much inflammation that it takes time for any of these fixes to work.

Honestly, if you can get anything at all to work for you, more credit to you. I have lived with it my entire life. I take shots (probably 20 yrs)--in both arms, and had their strength increased about a year and a half ago. That has FINALLY helped my spring allergies (before this I was house-bound during peak spring allergy days due to asthma issues). I still get heavy PND that gathers near the lungs by morning, and when I cough it is hard to differentiate between lung and PND involvement. I've pretty much determined it's gathered in my throat and near the lungs. I do a morning peak flow test, and have found that my lungs are fine, even though it sounds like they're involved. I have no constriction at all...just the mucous.

It's a tough problem. If you can be referred to the best ENT in the area, you might get a better handle on whether you're dealing with sinus, allergy, and/or LPR. No guarantees, though. I was sent to one in my area who walked on water, and he really couldn't be positive.

Best wishes! I hope you have better luck getting to the bottom of things than I did. I pretty sure I have reflux--I've had the surgery (Nissen Fundoplication), but it's a loose wrap, and I'm a very reactive person. It doesn't take much to get me going. A tiny puff of acid now and then would be enough. The surgery did help me tremendously. I was on high doses of steroids and my lungs were still horrible. Since the surgery, I'm much, much better. I still have allergies, and that hasn't been solved by surgery.

I don't mean to be discouraging, but it has been reality in my case. If PND is a new problem for you, it's more likely to be cured. Mine is a lifetime issue.
Good luck!
Denise
Denise
Posted 5/2/2011 2:32 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks. Mine has been lifetime as well. I guess once I get insurance again I can see an ENT guy and get his opinion. Don't like the idea of invasive scopes though :-)
Posted 5/2/2011 2:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Rick,
They're not that bad. It's just mind over matter. I've had tons of them, and I'm still standing! It's a necessity if you want to get to the bottom of things. Really, they're nothing to stress over.
Have a great day!
Denise
Posted 5/17/2011 4:08 PM (GMT 0)
I have this problem too but not on a daily basis thankfully. It comes and goes... I have talked to 2 doctors about it, one mentioned reflux and the other said I have to keep very hydrated. I am pretty sure I don't have reflux and I drink a lot of water. I may see an ENT, there are nights I can't sleep because I have this stuff in my throat. If I find any answers I will let you know.
Posted 5/19/2011 11:44 PM (GMT 0)
I have had a sore throat and problems forever. I think it is both a sinus problem and also reflux. It is VERY HARD TO LIVE WITH. I take one reflux drug every day (omeprazole). Am also very very thirsty and this has been forever too. This was true prior to allergies, sore throat, etc.

I find if I drink many liquids I feel better. Also eating small meals and not eating at night. I do drink water and stuff like that at night. I refuse to feel so thirsty that I can't stand it. I live in the northeast and find this problem is MUCH WORSE in the hot weather.

Hope we all feel better soon!
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