Post nasal drip, silent reflux etc.

Digestive health
1

Hi All,

I have come across this forum whilst searching the internet for some answers. I have been suffering from the symptoms mentioned on here for about 6 years now.

Just to give you a short overview, will keep it short: I am living in South Africa, 29 years old, male, problem started with an irritating cough & constant throat clearing & got sore throat but not too often. Started getting upper airway infections & decided to go to doctor that diagnosed me with Asthma. After I started using the Asthma inhalers the sore throat became more apparent but my cough stopped. Decided to stop using inhalers but problem just got worse and worse over the years. Daily symptoms now include sticky white mucus in back of throat, post nasal drip, sore / burning throat, constant throat clearing, hoarseness in voice, throat clearing after eating (does not matter what I eat), blocked noise, sinus infections, etc.

I have been on all sorts of medication, nasal sprays, antihistamines, Cortisone's. I have been to 2 different ENT's, had sinus surgery (which made it worse), been to 2 different allergists, seen many GP's & a homeopathic doctor & no relief. The latest thing I have done is the G-scope after reading about LPR & doc advised that all seems normal. I have tried nexium & now use another med for reflux.

My work also involves speaking a lot so I suffer more at work than at home. I dont drink or smoke either.

I have traveled to other countries & the symptoms still continue.

My question is to those who suffer from this, do you have lots of stress, have you suffered some sort of trauma before symptoms started, do you have an active job or are you sitting at a desk all day?

Also, I haven't manged to find any forums like this for South Africans, so if there are anybody in SA reading this with these symptoms please make contact.

Many thanks, any input will be appreciated.

2

Hi

I have the same symptoms as you. I sit at a desk all day and my job isn't particularly stressful though GPs and specialists have tried to tell me the symptoms are caused by anxiety.

My symptoms started nearly 2 years ago after a virus that had me off work for a week with severe sinus infection after a heavy cold. A lot of other people were off work too for at least a week so it was a bad infection but everyone else got over it, I have been left with the LPR (silent reflux) type symptoms ever since and nothing has so far decreased the symptoms significantly.

I do read the forums on this website as there are a lot of good posts on LPR which although I haven't been diagnosed I suspect I have. Sadly no cure or even effective medication available as yet.

3

Ryan,

My symptoms are somewhat like yours, the major problems being throat clearing (mostly under control now), chronic cough (under control now) and awful thick post nasal drip/mucus (still have it). I eat according to the Koufman diet and drink alkaline Iceland water. I have read that stress can play a part but that is not my problem nor did I suffer any trauma.

I find if I have to speak a lot then I try not to eat just before. I know that isn't a cure but it is a work around so you can stay functional. Like many of us, I've tried the PPI, H2 blockers. The PPIs made me sick so I hardly gave them a chance. I tried the H2 blockers for a month and a half. Some improvement resulted but nothing worth writing home about.

This is what I'm doing now. and I'm hoping to finally be free of the mucus. I'm sticking with the Koufman diet, the alkaline water (no change there and it has been tremendously helpful) but to tackle the mucus, I'm trying DGL Licorice 2 tablets, 2X per day taken 20 min or so before a meal plus 3 mg melatonin 2 hrs before bed. It all sounds like quackery, but has some science to back it up.

There is a real peer reviewed study about melatonin helping reflux. The DGL licorice is supposed to help thin the mucus according to the NIH. So this is why I'm trying it for a month or so to see if I can beat the last of these symptoms.

I'm not overweight and I exercise regularly so that is not a factor. I can't figure out why so many of us have this! Two of my friends have just been diagnosed with it.

I hope this helps.

Susan

4

Hi Ryan

I have experienced much the same as you. I took allergy shots twice weekly then once a week for a decade. Still had problems but not as bad. The constant clearing of the throat and mucus draining down the back of my throat was so irritating. And the tickling and itch that made me cough and gag with each bite of any and all food or dring. ENT doctors were no help and all the antihistamines did nothing much for long. 24 hour allergy  pills lasted sometines only 4 hours. My allergist did tell me to avoid cold liquids and white flour products and all sugars including artificial sweeteners when experiencing severe symptoms. I recently developed a coffee liking and noticed that it always made matters worst, even black coffee. What finally worked and gave me relief was when i made tea in the coffee maker instead of hot coffee. I squitred some lemon in it and voila no more irritation. I stopped all dairy products even my favorite ice cream which was loaded with sugars and cholesterol anyway. Finally after all these years I have relief. Hope this helps.

 

5

Mine started with a simple blocked nose (not a cold/flu) and went from there.  I've been tested for allergies and food intolerances.  I did not have any stress before this started and I have an office job.  I am not overweight and I go to the gym 3-4 times a week.

My ONLY conclusion to how this all started is that I let my diet go.  I was not getting 5 portions of fruit and veg a day, and I was not cooking from from scratch. My diet was good, but not that good!  I think my body simply became too acidic. 

I have done a peptest which confirmed high levels of pepsin, therefore I knew it was LPR.  The only thing that has given me relief from the throat issues has been alkaline water.  I still suffer from post nasal drip, which quite frankly is driving me crazy!  I am about to embark on nasal irrigation (rinse) as I've hear it can really help.   Just weighing up whether to use NeilMed, salt water or alkaline water to do it!

6

Hi all

sorry to hear you are all suffering it is not nice. I have had acid reflux gerd since 2008.  The mucus, the throat clearing, the cough, itchy throat, lump in throat etc.  I thought or think mine is related to stress. However since Jan of this year  around the time I had my gall bladder removed. It has got unbearable.  I am waiting an appointment for a scope down my throat.  I have not had a nights sleep since Jan and would consider myself to be either having a nervous breakdown or anxiety at the moment as well.

its the mucus, pain in the throat, burning etc. that is getting me down. There is no respite and I am supposed to be going on holiday tomorrow. Packing includes Gaviscon loads of it. Alkaline. Drops for water. Painkillers. Omezerprole  apologise. For spelling. Although I think these are useless.  Has anyone had sucess with melatonin ?.  Any ideas greatly received.  I am trying to stick to a low alkaline diet  no alcohol. Do not smoke and just about given up all sweets.  Feel for you all as this is a horrible situation to be in .

 

7

It really sounds like you are in the wars Jane!  Do you drink the alkaline drops/water?  I drink a small bottle of saka water every day, but I gargle and spray the alkaline drops (diluted in water).  That way, the alkaline gets to work directly on the pepsin in your throat (if that's what you have?) rather than rushing past it when drinking the water!  I gargle in the morning and 30 mins after a meal.  

Also, people rave on about DGL liquorice.  I haven't tried it myself, but people say it really helps out their throat.

8

Yes, I have had success with melatonin.  I've seen two recommendations:  one is 6 mg every evening and another is 3 mg. 

Susan

 

9

Hi.  I have suffered from postnasal drip for over 10years.  I think it may have been triggered by a new carpet.  

I've seen an ENT specialist who suggested propping up my bed head, seeing a speech therapist and finally taking antihistamines daily or moving to live by the sea.  I did everything he suggested, apart from moving to the coast.

I've seen an immunologist and done what I can to reduce exposure to dust, dust mites, early blooming tree pollen.  I've also cut out dairy.

Cutting out dairy helped a bit with the post nasal drip.  But nothing gave relief from the cough.

 At times, coughing severely effected my sleep and made it difficult for me to work (I work 1:1 with people and need to give them my full attention).  It was really tough.

A couple of months ago I got a cold air humidifier and put if near my bed, I now use it every night.  When travelling, I use a portable bottle top version.  My postnasal drip has reduced (not gone altogether) and my cough is much, much better.  I feel I can now cope with my symptoms.  

I can't be 100% sure it's the humidifier, but I am so much better than I was and would really recommend giving it a go. 

10

If anyone else tries melatonin for this, let me know.  I'd like to know if it works for others like it did for me.

Susan

11

Hi Micky69563

Many thanks for the info.

How long did you use the humidifier before symptoms got better?

Thanks.

Ryan

12

I just had my 5th "asthma" attack k in a month.  I can't breath in which is a symptom of silent Acid reflux.  I have been sick since January.  I have sinusitis which keeps me awake at night coughing.  The doctors wanted me to take cortisone.  I said no.  I get chi ok ed whenswrallowing.  I am now having the asthma type attacks.  Taking a pres eruption that helped my constant sinus problem..Dr. Oz, one of our TV doctors clearly describes my symptoms.  I have sleep apnea and sometimes m especially can't stay awake f

keeps for several days, narcolepsy.

13

I just had my 5th "asthma" attack in a month.  I can't breath in which is a symptom of silent Acid reflux (not being able to breath out is asthma). This time I thought I was going to die.  Felt like I was drowning. I developed a hoarsehness about a year ago.  I thought it was just allergies.  I have been sick since January with sinusitis that will not go away. It keeps me awake at night coughing.  The doctors wanted me to take cortisone.  I said no.  I get choked when swallowing.  I feel like something is always in the back I f my throat.  Taking a prescription that helps my constant sinus problem.  Dr. Oz, one of our TV doctors, clearly describes my symptoms as silent gerd.  I also have sleep apnea that sometimes keeps me awake.  I have narcolepsy and will often sleep for three days straight.  Thought I was going crazy until my daughter called and said to read the Dr. Oz article.  There are now specialist for treatment of this.  I am going to locate one tomorrow.

14

Hi Ryan,

I was told to stop all flour or wheat based products. I thought it was a load of rubbish, but after a couple of years and being told three times, I am a bit slow, I tried it. Instant relief from reflux stopped it straight away. 

As for post nasal drip, that battle continues. 

15

I have also alot of mucous and burning throat but not horsning in voice may be that cause of reflux 

yes I have alot of stress all the time It's very bothersome

what kind of trauma you mean ?

I'm medical student and thats why stress come from and yea i sit alot of yime to studey 

maybe all of this cause of GERD reflux can do alot of troublous things I hope you get better soon 

16

Hi Susan,to try and cope with acid reflux and post nasal drip I have changed my diet, I'm now diary free have been wheat free, gluten free and now I'm triing omneprednozol but it's still not gone completely.  I'm keen to know what's the link between melatonin and psot nasal drip?

17

Hello,

so glad I found this discussion. For the past month or so I feel very stopped up with terrible post nasal drip almost every night.  I don't know where to start with this, sometimes after I eat, I have trouble clearing my throught. I also have choking sometime too! Help, I want to go out today and try and fix this but I don't know where to start!

18

Just a little bit of advice, Ryan, from my own experience.  I, too, had the mucus issue amongst others - (for a time finding Gaviscon Advance helpful) - and then found my way to this site. I was dosed with advice all of which I dutifully tried.  I now realise that fulfilling that advice actually caused a lot of stress.  (I entered into a private correspondence with one woman who gave me detailed instructions and then suddenly she not only stopped corresponding with me, she cancelled her entire account on this site.)  When my issues did not seem to be achieving much (i.e., on-going) relief I just decided to stop taking notice of what was being said to me and just go back about my life as I had before - e.g., as I 'normally did' prior to my troubles.  I just wanted to say, Ryan - (and anyone esle who may be interested) - that it was the best piece of advice I ever gave myself.  I was able to relax, well, eventually - after I got over what I called the 'internet syndrome'.  In fact I forced myself NOT to read specialist medical sites on the web (I had become addicted - and that took some doing - often feeling 'the itch'wink.  Like magic - some months later - I now find I am relatively normal .... and have got there by myself and at no additional cost.  (That said I did before pay for a series of very expensive private medical examinations/tests - to the tune of almost £2,000 - and had a much appreciated endoscopy, colonoscopy and multitudinous blood tests via the poor, beleagered NHS).  Please just take this note for what it is worth, Ryan.  No reply is necessary.  I only add it as I thought it might proffer yet another shard of relief - and certainly a cost effective one.  As with everything EVERYWHERE:  Caveat Emptor.  

19

I haven't visited this site in a while, but I thought I'd repeat what I've said before for the new visitors to the site.  I had all the symptoms of LRR.  With some people it spotaneously resolves but for most people it does not so just ignoring it all is not usually a solution.

I will repeat what I've said before:  that following the instructions in Dr. Jamie Koufman's book, "Dropping Acid, The Reflux Diet and Cookbook Cure" along with sipping alkaline water has my LPR 90-95% under control.  If you are serious about helping yourself, you owe it to yourself to read this book written by a respected specialist in the field.  (I didn't bother reading the cookbook part and you don't need to if you don't like cooking.)

Susan

20

Hi Ryan: I had a very heavy and thick post nasal drip for many years. I have gone to several ENT DRs. and nobody could help. Every time I see them they used a scope and perform a laringoscopy ( they money from  it) I used every available medicine to no avail...Lately I was diagnosed with BT (benign tremor) and I was prescribed with 50Mg daily of Primidone ( an anticonvulsant)(Mysoline in the USA) I noticed that after three weeks of using it my nasal drip went down to less that 1/4 of what used to be. My Dr never heard about it. Maybe you can try it.???

Luiggi88