If the title grosses you out, Please just go ahead and stop reading. Find another post to read. I have plenty that aren’t gross at all – such as Toenail Art!
Now, for the brave readers. . .(after all, many of you have said recently how you like me being real!)
I have had phlegm in the back of my throat for weeks now. I haven’t had a cold in ages, nor do I have sinus problems. My nose isn’t running, my throat doesn’t hurt. I’ve tried medicine. I just have a completely inexplicable lump back there that’s driving me CRAZY.
I finally got to the point of desperation last night as it seems to have gotten worse, and it is to the point where it is continuously irritating. It’s right between my nose and throat, so there’s no way to get it out (and believe me, I have tried).
So I tried a technique that I swore I would never do again – it’s what my Mom used to do to me when I was little and I absolutely despise it – warm salt water down the nose.
Yuck.
It always worked when I was a kid, but the sensation was so horrible that I would rather be sick than allow her to torture me in this way. I hated it so much that my parents bought me a neti pot as a gag gift a few years ago. I might have even opened it and used it last night, but I think I permanently got rid of it a while back.
Or maybe I took it to a Dirty Santa party.
So I enlisted Chris’ help, and he trickled warm salt water down my nose, which consequently went into my sinuses and out of my mouth. Let me tell you there is nothing worse.
I did everything I could, made gagging noises that caused Chris to have to leave the room, and even continued my salt water treatments on my own.
AND it didn’t help. It temporarily helped, but today it was all back again, and this time compounded due to a raw throat from the salt water.
Getting more desperate by the minute, I bought an $11 bottle of super-duper “Powerful Mucus-Moving Sensation” Nasal Spray at Target. Another thing I hate. I used it right before Ali and I went into work for a minute, and let me say: DON’T use Powerful Mucus-Moving nose spray without being very close by a box of kleenex. Or two or three.
I don’t know where it all came from, but my nose became a veritable fountain.
But guess what didn’t come out.
Yeah. The Phlegm.
Rabbit Trail: Ali had a cold about a week ago (AFTER my phlegm problem started), and her nose is still stuffy from it. She’s been frustrated about it today also. At work, her greeting to everyone, instead of her usual “HEY Bonnie!! HEY Leslie!” was to tap on her nose and say “Nose Both-ring me.”
Back to mine. Whatever it’s made out of, it sticks like glue. Maybe there’s a ladybug stuck back there.
At any rate, I’m willing to try anything. Any ideas? I suppose I could try all of the other miraculous cure-all’s since the Neti Pot didn’t work. How about Kinoki Foot Pads? Or Ear Candles? Or for that matter, Mannatech or Mona Vie?
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Have you tried Mucinex? It clears the gunk out with out coughing and stuff. It usually works for me when I have chest congestion or nasal congestion, although you said you didn’t really have a cold or sinus problem so I don’t know if it would work, but you may want to try it if you are desperate.
I am sure I could ask my mom for some old country home remedies but I will spare you since you already did the salt water treatment.
Interesting, and not as gross as toenail art. Speaking of old tricks. I gargled salt water and asprin water last night to see if it would help the pain of my tooth and it worked. My tooth has felt so much better today.
As for your problem. I can’t help you there. I hope it gets better.
Oh, and there were 10 ladybugs in my bathroom this morning. I think they’re coming from your house to my house. AHHHH.
Nope, I’m pretty sure they’re not coming from my house to your house. Aquafina Water Bottle Death Count is now up to 119.
And I have a feeling it will rise after naptime. There are always more in her room after naptime.
Yuck. I’m glad ours are just in the bathroom.
The Nose Spray that I got is Mucinex, but normal Mucinex has an ingredient that I’m allergic to (Guafenesine).
GROSS! I have gargled salt water many times but never poured it in my nose:( I hope you feel better soon and find something that will work…
Yikes! The salt water sounds pretty miserable
I’m sorry. I was also going to suggest mucinex.
I don’t know what will work – I always have just waited stuff like that out (and sometimes it’s taken a LONG time). Last time I intervened, it was with Flonase and I used probably 2 boxes of tissue in a 12 hour shift at work – kind of similar to your powerful mucus moving stuff. Not pleasant, and basically worse than the original phlegm.