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?

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 :confused:

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. :)

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

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!

Hey there Katey. I too have had this problem for exactly 9 months! Nobody can tell me what this is and it's really starting to get to me.

My doctor also insisted that I had "started to develop allergies" even though I kept telling him this has never been a problem. I have been to three specialists who told me the same thing. If the post nasal was from allergies, I would think it would slow down when you are no longer in the vincinity of the irritant? This never stops, it's 24-7. The last specialist finally did an allergy test on me for over 60 possible causes. Just like I suspected, I came back negative to ALL OF THEM. Did not test positive for even one.

The drip is awful, and like yours, is also white in color, kind of thick and sticky. Gross, I know. I have been on every prescription medication and OTC out there. Allegra D, Claritin, Sudafed, Biacam, Bactroban, Biaxin, Augmentin etc. (there must be at least 5 or 6 more). NOTHING has worked. Including the 5 or 6 nasal sprays they tried on me.

Just know that you are not alone, I have been suffering with it for the exact amount of time you have. If you find out anything, PLEASE let us know. I will do the same. I have yet ANOTHER specialist appointment coming up in two weeks (and I'm starting to run out of money).

Good times.

Gemini

I pretty much agree with your dad on the allergy testing, I think it's kind of a waste too. You could have the blood allergy tests done ~ though they are much more expensive (ins sometimes won't pay for them!) The difference is that they only show what you're allergic to vs injecting the allergin into your skin. I don't know the specifics, your dad probably does, but I had both done. My primary care dr said the blood is a better test and allergist said the skin is better. My blood test only showed 4 allergies and the skin showed 29!! Big difference, so who knows! LOL :confused:

If they do find out it's an allergy shots are an option ~ though I've heard mixed results as to if they work or not! I haven't noticed one bit of a difference yet and I've been doing mine about 2 months now. Also, there are stronger allergy meds. I didn't see a difference until I started taking Zyrtec. It's the only thing that worked for me, but in the spring it doesn't seem to do as much, I just think there are so many allergens out there my body can't handle it.

Irrigating sinuses with salt/soda solution will keep the mucous cleaned out. There is also a med over the counter, called "Mucinex" that is the same thing as Robitussin but is in pill form extended release and it thins the mucous. When I had bronchitis and the crud few months ago my doctor told me to take the Mucinex in order for the mucous to be thinned and removed easier. Takes a while to see results but well worth using the Mucinex, even if your problem is only allergy caused. Once the mucous is cleared out, then omit the Mucinex and just use salt/soda solution morning and night.

Hi everybody with Postnasal Drip! I have just finished reading all of the posts on this thread and I certainly sympathize with each and every one of you. I have had postnasal drip since I was a little girl. I can remember thinking I was choking on it. My mother used to give me something over the counter (cloretrimenton) or something that would kind of dry me up. Over my teenage years I think it cleared a little. We moved from a small farming town that had cotton gins and every fall after cotton season it would drive me nuts! Anyway we moved , and I got better. Then after my children were born all of it came back!! I did the allergy testing (twice) and I am allergic to many things. But the PND is my main problem I think. I do have asthma now and I think its directly related to years and years of this stuff dripping down into my lungs!! Right now its in my throat and I'm constantly clearing it. I mean CONSTANTLY! The allergy shots really didn't help me either and the OTC and prescription drugs do dry me up. But I still have the DRIP. Now tell me, how can you be all dried up in your mouth and throat and still have the drip?? I don't know. I'm considering an ENT. I have never gone that route. All of my sinsus Xrays have always been normal. It seems like since I have started taking Advair (for asthma) my throat clearing is worse!! I know this sounds gross (excuse me for being graphic) but I can hock up phlegm anytime of the day. Sometimes when we are out shopping I'll have to go to the restroom just to clear out my throat!! I have tried everything!! I honestly feel like if I could get this PND under control, my asthma would improve or go away! I will try anything, Alternative medicine, accupuncture, etc. There is a treatment called NAET. It is the natural allergy elimination treatment. Only naturopaths do it. It is supposed to elliminate allergies much like the shots only quicker. THe only problem is that since it is natural medicine, insurance won't pay, but I'm willing to spend the money. It has helped other people I have talked with. If anyone knows of anything else for PND, please let me know. Thanks.
Cindy :confused:

Try Atrovent nasal spray. My ENT prescribed it. It helps with the PND, however it dries my sinuses up to the point that I get a sinus infection. I am prone to sinus infections, so maybe you wouldn't have that problem.

thank you for the reply, I've used atrovent in the past,no help at all.
right now I'm on 3 different nasal sprays.
I just found out I have asthma,I think it causes mucus too.

hi...
i have the same problem and recently also posted a cry for help...i just bought sinofresh and it seems to be working pretty well to negate my bad breath...its like a nasal spray but unlike most it requires u to let it drip into your throat...my drip is still there but is definately less than usual...i also purchased a sinus irrigatgor system online and am waiting to get it...i will let u know how it works....i find that drinking water is helpful bc it thins out the drip and dairy is really bad for it....i have not found the complete soloution yet but am working towards finding one...i will keep u posted!

I've been using a sinus irrigatgor for over a year now,it really does very little for me.
I think this is something that will never go away.
good luck

I have had a nasal drip for many years. I find the only thing that works for me is "actifed" since it dries it up. It helps tremendously with the drip especially at night. Its very annoying. I've had it for so many years now that I have just become accustomed to it. I have tried Allegra, Claritan, Benadryl, sudafed, rhinorcort spray; nothing but Actifed gives me relief.

Hope this helps.

LIND