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Suggest Treatment For Post Nasal Drip

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Posted on Thu, 11 Sep 2014
Question: Thank you for asking how I am doing. I am doing better than I was but still not back to normal. I did the steaming, guaifenesin, albuterol inhaler and everything we discussed and still never saw any mucus though I could feel some sort of liquid in my lungs,bronchial and throat...perhaps some of it post nasal drip. I finially got exhausted from so much steaming and trying to get rid of something in there that seemed impossible to get rid of and my throat seemed to be hurting a little more and the tickle in my throat seemed to feel worst again so I decided to stop steaming,doing expectorants and albuterol. Maybe I need to dry things up instead of force something out that won't seem to cooperate. My energy still has not come back though I'm better than I was. This started 2 months ago with maybe a flu virus I picked up and I've been having to clear my throat and feel congested and low energy ever since. Really since I stopped doing those 3 things steaming, guaifenecin and albuterol I think I'm making quite an improvement. I had made an appointment with an ear, nose throat doctor as you suggested and her earliest availability was this Friday. If symptoms are mostly clear by then should I cancel this appointment or should I go and report what an ordeal I've been through. I do wonder why every time I get a cold or flu it seems to take me forever to get liquid out of my lungs and throat. Just wished I would have seen a Doctor a month ago cause it seems silly to go when I'm almost well and maybe I'm all well by Friday. I think I probably had a bacterial infection since it lasted so long but may have helped knock it out with all the goldenseal , garlic etc. I've been attacking this with. Question now... should I still see this Dr. this late if I'm only experiencing very mild or no more symptoms Friday? Today is Tuesday. It seems unusual to be sick for so long when my friends get over it much quicker.I'm getting better but very exhausted and overly frustrated since I am a singer and have shows coming up. What are your thoughts? Thank you kindly!
XXXXXX
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Prasad J (2 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Continue with ENT doctor consultation

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Apologies for inconvenience. Dr. XXXXXXX who responded to you is on a vacation and is away from internet, therefore is unavailable to write back to you now. I shall answer your question on his behalf while the website administrators do their efforts to reach Dr. XXXXXXX

I went through your question and previous discussion and I agree with Dr. Sudhir's comments that your symptoms could be due to post nasal drip. Therefore in my opinion expectorant drugs including guaifenesin is not going to be of great help. Expectorants act on your lungs and bronchus where it breaks up mucus into small pieces which can be expelled easily. It has almost no effects on post nasal drip. Benedryl or another antihistamine such as levocetrizine will be a better medication to treat post nasal drip. I am glad you have the ENT consult very soon. I am sure ENT doctors will start you on antihistamines and other treatment based on whether or not sinus is involved.
Until you visit ENT doctor continue with inhalers, steam inhalation (perhaps use a netipot) and keep yourself warm and covered.

Duration of upper respiratory illness such as these depend on the cause of it. Allergic and some viral conditions may persist for few months. Therefore do not be worried about what happens with your friends. You are already on path to recovery.

Good luck and Cheers!!
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Prasad J

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 3698 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Post Nasal Drip

Brief Answer: Continue with ENT doctor consultation Detailed Answer: Hi, Apologies for inconvenience. Dr. XXXXXXX who responded to you is on a vacation and is away from internet, therefore is unavailable to write back to you now. I shall answer your question on his behalf while the website administrators do their efforts to reach Dr. XXXXXXX I went through your question and previous discussion and I agree with Dr. Sudhir's comments that your symptoms could be due to post nasal drip. Therefore in my opinion expectorant drugs including guaifenesin is not going to be of great help. Expectorants act on your lungs and bronchus where it breaks up mucus into small pieces which can be expelled easily. It has almost no effects on post nasal drip. Benedryl or another antihistamine such as levocetrizine will be a better medication to treat post nasal drip. I am glad you have the ENT consult very soon. I am sure ENT doctors will start you on antihistamines and other treatment based on whether or not sinus is involved. Until you visit ENT doctor continue with inhalers, steam inhalation (perhaps use a netipot) and keep yourself warm and covered. Duration of upper respiratory illness such as these depend on the cause of it. Allergic and some viral conditions may persist for few months. Therefore do not be worried about what happens with your friends. You are already on path to recovery. Good luck and Cheers!!