| Re: Post-nasal drip...no congestion?
Chronic throat clearing/coughing + relief when laying down + sinusitis like-dripping feelings are symptoms classic symptoms of laryngopharyngeal reflux. Although it might not be immediate apparent to you, the real key markers here are the chronic throat clearing and the relief when lying down. These 2 things are not classic symptoms of regular sinusitis.
This kind of reflux (abbreviated LPR) occurs when acid refluxes all the way up your esophogous, instead of remaining in the lower esophogous. The acid mixes with your mucous once it gets into your throat, and spreads around your sinuses causing sinusitis-like symptoms. The throat clearing is actually more from the acid (pH 2) coming in contact with your larynx, which has no natural protection against it. When it comes in contact, you are compelled to clear it off with throat clearing or coughing. Not fun. Unlike it's counterpart GERD, LPR patients feel better when they lie down. People with GERD (heartburn) have their worst symptoms at night.
For treatment, you need 2 doses of a Proton Pump Inhibitor every day, and you need to see an ENT. An ENT will "scope you" (look at your larynx with a thin metal tube and camera). If your larynx is red and swollen, you've got LPR. You can start PPI therapy without the scope, but at least the scoping confirms what you've got.
PPIs are sold under the names Nexium, Prevacid, Prilosec, Aciphex, Zegerid and Protonix.
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