Excessive amount of phlegm

[bigheartlittleheart]

Hi all,
I hope you can help. I'm currently 14 weeks pregnant. It's been really tough as I've suffered with HG and although it seems to be getting better slowly, I have an issue with an excessive amount of mucus in my nose and so much phlegm in my throat. I constantly feel like I need to clear bubbles of phlegm in my throat. It's so so bad, it's actually causing me to throw up. No one is giving me any advice not even my GP. It's unbearable. Has anyone experienced this? This is my third pregnancy and I don't remember having this before. Any help would be appreciated as I'm struggling so much with this issue! Thank you

Are you asthmatic by any chance?

I ask because I have this (but not during pregnancy) and at my last asthma review the nurse said it was reasonably common with some people who suffer asthma. I have a daily pill now for it and it has made a huge difference. I can't recall the details as to why it happens exactly.

I hope you find a solution.

@WinterLobelia hi there! Thank you for your reply. No I don't have asthma so I don't think it's that. I really hope I find a solution too! I'm glad you have found something that helps you! X

I've had this for about 20 years-it's called post nasal drip. I'm sensitive to dust and other allergens. I e had all sorts of things to try and help, including steroid nasal sprays, but unfortunate nothing has. It's gross and on occasions when I have an infection the phlegm can be yellow or brownish in colour.

@Seasaltsquall sorry you've experience this for 20 years. I have read about post nasal drip. I don't know if this is what I have - it really has only occurred during pregnancy, so for now, I can only assume it's a pregnancy symptom and I hope it isn't going to last forever. Thanks

Its likely GERD or acid reflux, it causes post nasal drip and asthma type symptoms, commonly misdiagnosed for asthma. Common to develop acid reflux in pregnancy

Hi- I had this in pregnancy, 10 years ago. It was fairly revolting but almost completely disappeared within a few days of birth. My consultant said that it was unusual in the UK but, in certain regions of the world fairly common place. The consultant also said that I had to put up with it …. Apologies for not having better news…

@soupfiend hi there, thanks for your reply. Do you think acid reflux could be silent? I have experienced reflux in my last pregnancy but only in third trimester. This reflux was typical of acid coming up and burning - my doc prescribed omeprazole which saved me. I don't have that burning acid feeling now.

@Vol1 thank you for your reply! Reassuring to hear someone else has experienced. Gosh I can't imagine it lasting my whole pregnancy! It's so difficult as it's causing me to throw up. I'm just recovering from HG so this is the last thing I needed. :(

Yep, silent reflux, not so silent. So I have this, lots of throat clearing, mucus etc but I dont get heart burn or the 'reflux' bit, which I think is what defines it as silent, so I dont get the burning acid but there is sometimes a horrible taste, but not always

@soupfiend thanks so much! It could be this... so do you think if there's no actual burning / reflux, omeprazole probably won't help? Or worth a shot maybe? I've still got loads of them in date.

Im still working my way through this personally. Im on esomeprazole now, morning and night, to be honest theres not much in the different PPI's Ive had, but what I have noticed is that I have to sit in a certain way, no slouching on the sofa and eating my dinner there, take my PPI about half hour before drinking and eating, let it work without interference, trying to identify if certain foods are making it worse, sit up for the first part of going to bed and lie down later in the night, losen my waistbands, dont have bra too tight, very small meals regularly, eat slowly

If you google acid watcher diet some people swear by that

I mean Im not even following my own advice, Im sat here, glugging tea and eating chocolate, slumped on the chair. And now all the strangulation sensation, throat clearing, swallowing etc etc.

@bigheartlittleheart what was your result of this? im suffering now! Trying to clear my throat and throwing up. Sometimes it’s even like a hard lump of mucus it honestly makes me sick. I’m constantly clearing my throat, there’s a lump in my throat. I have acid reflux on an evening sometimes but deffo think it’s silent reflux.

what can I do to help please? Did the pills end up working?

@CSSL7 sorry you're going through this? How many weeks are you? It's a horrible symptom - I would say there's no harm in taking omeprazole is you feel you have reflux - docs will be more than happy to prescribe if you tell them you're pregnant and have reflux... I had bad reflux so took one every morning. These didn't help with the mucus issue though! Honestly, nothing did - it just got better from around 30 weeks I think. Yours might be sooner! The main thing is once the sickness symptoms go, it's a bit easier to handle. One thing I do remember was cutting dairy (not completely) but like I'd avoid an ice cream or yogurt as that made the mucus worse. Good luck and stay strong. X