Hi Everyone,
My original message and responses are listed below.I originally posted the question in the cancer board but have moved to respiratory disorders, as
it seems more appropriate.As mentioned,I have had chronic sore
throats and roughness to my voice for many weeks.I was a smoker of 5-10 cigarettes per day for 18 years.I quit 15 days ago.I was absolutely terrified that I might have throat cancer.I went to my family doctor who thought it might be sinus related.He gave me aumention antibiotic for ten days.It has not eased my symptoms.I finally saw an Ear/Nose/Throat specialist this morning.I explained that I have chronic post nasal drip, cottage cheese like stuff on the back
of the tongue, dry mouth and throat, sore throat and hoarseness.He looked
inside my mouth, everything is normal. He then stuck some gauze up my nose with anesthetic on it.They were then removed.He then took a spaghetti thin flexible instrument and stuck it up my nose and told me to breathe through my mouth.I think it went down my throat.He told me to say he-he-he-he.
In five minutes we were done.He tells me that my sinuses are fine,my adenoids and tonsils are unremarkable, my vocal cords are normal.There is no irritation anywhere in the throat.I am so grateful/thankful that I dont have cancer after being a smoker for so long and I pray for those who are dealing with it everyday.However,I still have the symptoms and have no clue what is causing them.Im totally stumped.Why do I produce so much mucus? why am I constantly sore and hoarse?The ENT really did not have an answer.He suggested that it could be viral or perhaps alergy related.Some people just make more mucus than others for no apparent reason.
My father and brother who both smoke have had post nasal drip for years.
My mother has allergies,chronic bronchitis and nasal drip.Could it be genetic?
Does anyone have any ideas?
Thanks,
Cliff


Hi Everyone,
I have a problem and am hoping that someone can shed
some light. I am 35 years old and have been a 5-10
cigarette per day smoker for 18 years. For the past 12
years I have had a problem with an unexplained chronic post nasal
drip.In the last three weeks, the drip has escalated and
I am getting very bad hoarseness and sore throat.I also
have a chronic pile up of yellow mucus at the back of my
tongue.I do not have a fever or feel sick.It may
be just alergies and or irritation, but there is a part of me
that is absolutely terrified that I have throat cancer.I am
planning to see an ear/nose/throat specialist if it does not
clear up in the next couple of weeks.I guess what I really
need to know is whether my smoking history puts me at
risk and if so how great is the risk.I have always heard that
its a rare cancer and the vast majority of cases are in men
40-70 years old.

Hi There, Sounds to me like you may have Sinusitis (a sinus infection). The constant mucous drainage down the back of your throat is most likely irritating your throat which is causing the sore throat and the hoarseness.

It is also not uncommon for smokers to have chronic post nasal drip. Most likely a round of antibiotics would probably clear up your problem.

Good Luck, ValleyGurl

Well I am an X smoker and I am female. I suggest you go to your doctor and make him/her send you to an ENT for a scope. I wish mine had sent me sooner. Anyway it could be nothing at all but its best to find out asap.
Blessings,
barbara~

Have you been tested for reflux? Post nasal drip, hoarseness and sore throats can be symptoms. Although I would have thought the ENT would have seen some irratation to your vocal cords when he did the laryngoscope (spaghetti like thing).