Post-nasal drip for 9 months my only symptom - Allergies Message Board

kateytwo · 05-13-2004, 07:33 AM

For the past nine months I have had a post-nasal drip that is driving me nuts. It leaves a horrible taste in my mouth and I am constantly eating mints and chewing gum to avoid bad breath. I have no other symptoms except that sometimes my throat hurts due to all of the drainage. I have no known allergies. This has happened through the fall, winter, and now, spring.

My doctor right off the bat said "Oh you have allergies." Even though I told him I have no other symptoms than this and think it is a sinus thing. He gave me some Claritin D and Flo-Nase. Did nothing. OTC sinus meds do nothing. I have let it go, hoping it would go away, but it hasn't.

I recently went back and he said he thought it was allergies, but he also mentioned sinus infection. He put me on some heavy-duty drying meds (methylprednisone and hista-vent). At first they seemed to be doing nothing, but now I think it is breaking up the stuff and I am draining even more. The consistency of it has changed, and I can actually cough it up (gross). I didn't know if this was what was supposed to happen, so I called him and he seemed to think it was working. He refilled the Rx and also prescribed an antibiotic, which I thought was strange.

I have a really hard time thinking this is allergies. I am hoping this will go away with medication. He seems to think it will go away in 2 weeks no matter what, because of the declining pollen counts, but he seems to forget that I have had this for multiple seasons, not just this spring.

Any ideas?

ebrbetty · 05-13-2004, 10:45 AM

if you find an answer to get the pnd and terrible mucus to stop,tell me please!! I have had this for 14 months,it's ruining my life. it's so thick I can't get it out.
I've had 2 sinus surgerys,8 rounds of antibiotics,thrush,4 sinus sprays and flush ny sinus's 3 times a day. been to 3 ent's no one can help me.
I was allergy tested,nothing.
it's so frustrating

mamu710 · 05-13-2004, 11:10 AM

I too suffer from post nasal drip. I wouldn't have thought of allergies if I didn't start having more problems with rashes recently. I take AllerX and a nasal spray. The allergy pill has a daytime/nightime dose. It has helped. Sometimes I am too dry!
I don't have the itchy, watery eyes as with hayfever but am allergis to molds. Molds appear in many things including some of the foods we eat.
Just some food for thought.

xavier213 · 05-13-2004, 12:11 PM

I have it too, it's SO annoying! I literally cough up stuff that has dripped into my throat for at least a 1/2 hour before bed every single night. On bad days I do it 2-3 times a day. I do have severe allergies though, but that is my main symptom. I don't sneeze, my nose doesn't run, I don't have itchy eyes, just PND!

I'm assuming you've been tested for allergies because it can be your only symptom! It is in my case and I couldn't believe I was developing allergies at 26 years old. HA! I got tested and am allergic to 29 different things. If you haven't gotten allergy tested I would. If you have indoor allergies you will have PND year round. I'm allergic to dust mites, house dust, cats, dogs, mold, etc and I never get a break from the PND! None of the OTC or allergy RXS have helped me at all. I'm doing shots now and hoping they'll work but I don't see a difference thus far.

I know this sounds gross, but is the discharge clear or is it yellow or green? Mine has always been clear so my dr knew right away it probably wasn't a sinus infection because he said they're colored while allergy drainage is clear. That might help you to determine what it is. Also, you can have Sinus x-rays and CT scans done, I did just to be sure and mine were both normal.
Good luck, I know how annoying this is!
Katt

kateytwo · 05-13-2004, 01:32 PM

Hi Katt,

My doctor told me I should get allergy-tested, but I am hesitant. My dad, who is also a doctor, told me allergy tests are pretty much a huge waste of money because they are rarely conclusive and usually tell you you're allergic to like 20 different things. He thinks they are a crock.

The mucus is white in color, so maybe that indicates an allergy? Before I began taking these meds nothing made a difference, so I am taking the increased drainage and thickened consistency as a good sign at this point. Even if they do diagnose me with allergies of some type, it doesn't sound like they can do a whole lot for me... the allergy meds he put me on in the fall had no effect.

The sinus CT/X-ray is a good idea.

Thanks this is all helpful!