Weird bug - just mucus in back of throat, no other symptoms

[Anonymous]

I’ve had these same symptoms for two weeks now. A 3 day break after 6 days, then back again. Only symptom is constant mucus in throat; nothing else. It is driving me crazy. All covid tests negative, and I upped my reflux meds. Is this some weird post viral thing, even though I didn’t realize I was ever sick?

[Anonymous]

I had this for like 6 weeks after covid. Just awful - constant mucous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t have a sore throat, but it’s definitely uncomfortable. It’s keeping me up at night since there’s constant mucus running down the back of my throat. I gave an occasional cough but it’s coming from my throat, not my chest. No fever or nasal congestion. It started about 4 days ago. Anyone else have this?

Post nasal drip is annoying and usually due to a sinus infection or acid reflux.

Get more pillows, try some 4 hour pseudonephrine, maybe a 12 hour musinex a couple mornings.
After that antibiotics- z pack or augmenting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t have a sore throat, but it’s definitely uncomfortable. It’s keeping me up at night since there’s constant mucus running down the back of my throat. I gave an occasional cough but it’s coming from my throat, not my chest. No fever or nasal congestion. It started about 4 days ago. Anyone else have this?

Just curious if the original poster ended up testing positive for COVID?? I have these exact symptoms...just post nasal drip...maybe a slightly runny nose and a tiny swollen gland. I have taken THREE COVID tests and they are all negative. I am supposed to see my parents this weekend though so I am a little nervous that it is actually COVID. I am hoping just some virus.

This is how mine started. Post nasal drip, runny nose, sneezing. Felt more like allergies. Tests negative then, after 4 days, I was positive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's reflux.

My thought as well. Laryngopharneal reflux, aka "silent" reflux, aka LRP. Symptoms: overproduction of mucus; feeling like you can't quite swallow the mucus; crackly voice; and above all, a dry cough that comes and goes, especially in the morning and at night.

People with these symptoms often go to the ENT, who looks down their throat and sees nothing, so sends them to a GI who scopes them and sees nothing, then sends them to an allergist, who finds no allergies -- at which point they give up and just live with it. Unlike GERD, a lot of people never realize they have LRP.

Unfortunately, LRP is one of the main causes, over time, of esophageal cancer (which is one of those cancers that was once rare and typically only found in the elderly, but is becoming more common at younger and younger ages). So, if the symptoms line up with your experience, find a laryngologist (a subspeciality of otolaryngology, aka a specialized ENT)...and prepare to give up coffee, alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, and mint for a while. All the delicious things are the main triggers.

[Anonymous]

Laryngopharneal reflux

That should read, laryngopharyngeal reflux

[Anonymous]

OP has already updated that it was COVID

[Anonymous]

When I went to an ENT for similar symptoms, she didn’t even send me to a GI to test for reflux; she told me I was too thin/not the typical weight for reflux. Does that seem possible? I never associated reflux with weight and don’t want anything to be overlooked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I went to an ENT for similar symptoms, she didn’t even send me to a GI to test for reflux; she told me I was too thin/not the typical weight for reflux. Does that seem possible? I never associated reflux with weight and don’t want anything to be overlooked.

No. I’m quite thin, and suffered with these symptoms plus on/off sore throat for months. Every ENT blew me off. Finally a GI Dr did and endoscopy, and saw reflux. I take meds now, and it’s pretty under control if I watch my diet carefully. This summer I sort of let loose on vacations etc and am paying for it. But if you eliminate your triggers, it helps a ton…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When I went to an ENT for similar symptoms, she didn’t even send me to a GI to test for reflux; she told me I was too thin/not the typical weight for reflux. Does that seem possible? I never associated reflux with weight and don’t want anything to be overlooked.

No. I’m quite thin, and suffered with these symptoms plus on/off sore throat for months. Every ENT blew me off. Finally a GI Dr did and endoscopy, and saw reflux. I take meds now, and it’s pretty under control if I watch my diet carefully. This summer I sort of let loose on vacations etc and am paying for it. But if you eliminate your triggers, it helps a ton…

Thank you, PP. Why are ENTs so dismissive? That’s frustrating. Can you tell me a bit more about your symptoms? Were they very bothersome, or were they on the mild side? What was the duration? I’ve had chronic nasal drip for so many years that I’m very used to it and it’s hard to gauge the severity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When I went to an ENT for similar symptoms, she didn’t even send me to a GI to test for reflux; she told me I was too thin/not the typical weight for reflux. Does that seem possible? I never associated reflux with weight and don’t want anything to be overlooked.

No. I’m quite thin, and suffered with these symptoms plus on/off sore throat for months. Every ENT blew me off. Finally a GI Dr did and endoscopy, and saw reflux. I take meds now, and it’s pretty under control if I watch my diet carefully. This summer I sort of let loose on vacations etc and am paying for it. But if you eliminate your triggers, it helps a ton…

Thank you, PP. Why are ENTs so dismissive? That’s frustrating. Can you tell me a bit more about your symptoms? Were they very bothersome, or were they on the mild side? What was the duration? I’ve had chronic nasal drip for so many years that I’m very used to it and it’s hard to gauge the severity.

You might want to check out Jamie Koufman's work: https://jamiekoufman.com/?s=Nasal+drip&post_type=post