Hacking up thick phlegm every morning

It's a common late-onset side-effect of oral radiotherapy. No-one seems to know why. A humidifer helps me a lot both day and night. Sleep wih head higher than body (use a wedge pillow) and something to stop your bottom sliding down.

I'm a side-sleeper and it's d0able.

Try to cough in a growling manner from as low in the throat as possible. I need kitchen roll to spit into not tissues.

I too have had this for decades… many many years ago it was said to be a post nasal drip. I have recently been down for near 3 weeks with a fluey bug/ chest infection and the mucus produced ( as you say) got worse with all the coughing , I am recovering but the mucus is still here overnight if I’m not sleeping, and ALWAYS first thing in the morning. Sometimes it is so bad I retch. Once retched it is usually better, but I hate it…it’s like a permanent morning sickness, which at 80 I could do without. I have tried every so called cure under the sun. I sleep on 5/6 pillows but, as someone said, I always end up sliding down in sleep. Someone told me to put a pillow under my knees would help stop me sliding… it didn’t, but gave me a pulled muscle in my upper thigh! I do wish someone would find a fix for this. I’m not sure that heat or cold have a lot to do with it …sometimes I can go for a couple of weeks virtually free of it, then it comes back. It doesn’t SEEM to be dependant on the weather. Having said that I live in WET WALES! So even in the summer we get wet! I do wonder if it is related to Sledp Apnoea, which I was diagnosed with about 10 years ago, but I get claustrophobic with the machine, but it was better when I used it. However in 21 I was hospitalised with unrelated issues and they told me in hospital I didn’t need it, so when I came out I felt to ill to return …and never have …or have the SA symptoms … but ? Who knows?

Greciangirl PMR is polymyalgia rheumatica, an autoimmune disease

Could it be mild cold? That was my diagnosis some years ago.
Surprisingly, like you Primrose, in Greece, Spain September climate, it clears

@saintpiran I could have written your post, however I have had this problem for about 30 years. Only now, since ChatGPT has been part of my daily life, and being referred to ENT for unknown seasickness and balance issues, has silent reflux been mentioned (firstly by the Surgeon then during research with AI). The mucous I spit up (sorry) and into the loo is so thick and sticky if it hits the bowl and dries, it remains there until I scrub it off when cleaning it. I do not have a cold or illness. I do have allergic rhinitis-all I've ever been offered is Monetasone steroid basal spread which I don't feel makes much difference. Lastly, I started to get a chronic sore throat and pain upon talking/swallowing which lasted for about two months. I was starting to think it was something serious and after a 3rd visit to the GP, i was out on Omeprazole for 4 weeks for acid reflux and bingo.... my throat finally feels back to normal. The post nasal drip is still there, bit if I not been at ENT for another reason, I would never have known to investigate silent reflux - albeit AI came up with it around the tame time. I just thought reflux was what people got in their tummy - like heartburn and for which they took Gaviaxon etc . I can't say I've ever suffered either that or considered it. I'm at ENT for a follow up to my CT scan on my sinuses mid November so I'll try and remember to update. Good luck everyone.

Anyone suffering please read the book 'The iodine crisis' by Lynne Farrow or 'iodine why you need it'by Dr David Brownstein- it really could change your life! Lugols iodine- Gp's will tell you it's dangerous etc- complete rubbish- most people are deficient

I have this, it's horrible. I finally got so desperate I made an appointment and a lovely GP gave me steroids spray and said come back if it's not resolved in three months. I made an appointment because it was a lot better but not gone and the cough was keeping me awake. Of course that GP wasn't available, although I thought I'd managed to book with her, and I ended up seeing a male GP who was quite dismissive. I ask myself whether it's even worth bothering to go back again.

I've had it for well over 10 years, seen numerous consultants as well as my gp. I've been diagnosed with COPD and gastric reflux. I was told to sleep on my back with my head raised above the level of my stomach. But I just slide down the bed in a heap, I also have spinal problems and need to sleep on my side. 1 consultant told me my vocal chords were badly inflamed and his recommendation was to stop coughing! i use cocodamol to suppress the cough and that has been more effective than anything else, but affects my digestive system badly. If I don't cough I don't produce so much mucus which at least makes that easier.

saintpiran

Thanks Sarnia for your good wishes. Are you having treatment or managing it with diet? And thanks Shysal for the goats milk hint. I did try it for a while as the calcium is better absorbed than cow's milk, didn't like it so buy goat's cheese instead .

My GP sent me for an endoscopy just to check nothing sinister was going on so that was a reassurance. I take 10mg, the lowest dose, of Omeprazole daily and with trial and error I know which foods to ignore and try to follow a little and often way of eating. I don't eat too late at night or lay flat in bed.
I found keeping a food diary was a help in pinpointing the foods that trigger reflux. I was quite surprised by some.

I have all those symptoms, but unable to cough anything up.
I wish i could.
Sarnia.
What does PMR stand for?

Its an infection surely....need antibios.

Thanks Sarnia for your good wishes. Are you having treatment or managing it with diet? And thanks Shysal for the goats milk hint. I did try it for a while as the calcium is better absorbed than cow's milk, didn't like it so buy goat's cheese instead .

Alan Titchmarsh says he had that problem, but cured it by changing to goat's milk. Might be worth a try!

Yes.

Amazon: Lemsip Max Cold & Flu tablets.

But does anyone think it might be to do with the weather? For example going to a hot climate like Spain, and not experiencing any mucus/sinus issues there.

Or maybe it's to do with the humidity?

saintpiran

I have suffered with these symptoms for many years with dripping nose, hoarse voice and constantly clearing my throat before I speak. I have taken steroid nose sprays, over the counter products, sniffing salt water which helps but not pleasant. I recently asked AI what might cause the problem and the answer was Silent Reflux. Have found some information on the NHS site and plucking up courage to see my GP, who will, no doubt, be dismissive if I reveal my source, as has happened before, refusing to treat me for PMR, insisting that I had Long Covid.

That's what mine turned out to be. The joys of an endoscopy showed that. Good luck. Hope you can get it sorted.

I have suffered with these symptoms for many years with dripping nose, hoarse voice and constantly clearing my throat before I speak. I have taken steroid nose sprays, over the counter products, sniffing salt water which helps but not pleasant. I recently asked AI what might cause the problem and the answer was Silent Reflux. Have found some information on the NHS site and plucking up courage to see my GP, who will, no doubt, be dismissive if I reveal my source, as has happened before, refusing to treat me for PMR, insisting that I had Long Covid.

I confused coughing up thick phlegm with a cold but it turned out to be a digestive problem. If it's being going on a while, time to see the GP.

Can I ask if you are a smoker/vaper. If so I would get a GP opinion soon - well if your are not a smoker as well. I hope this clears up soon. Physio is also very helpful.

Sounds like what my DH has had for years, do you have probs with your sinuses or rhinitis?
At night you get ‘nose drip’ that collects in your throat, it is gross and causes my DH to cough up for ages.
My DH uses a seawater nose spray, I think is Sterimar. But have to say it doesn’t help that much.
Would try to see your GP.