Hi there, for the past 5-6 months I've had constant sore throats with thick clear mucus when I clear my throat. I've been to several doctors who all give me the same medication which has had absolutely no affect on my condition. As I'm 80 yo now I've limited my beer drinking and I haven't had a smoke for going on 50 years. So has anyone had this condition and if so how did you treat it.

Don’t sleep with the fan and a/c blowing on you.

Are you hydrated enough? Tried any allergic remedy? 

 

Boil up onion, garlic and add some honey to it, and see if its give you some relief in the morning and evening. You smell onion and garlic, but it will at least make you sleep better

It could be a whole variety of things but I would start by examining post nasal drip. If it's not that it could be severe allergies, or a significant amount of hidden mold in your home, or allergic bronchitis. 

Try completely stopping cold drinks or foodstuffs for a week - relying on room temperature to hot consumption - see if it helps.

On 8/2/2025 at 12:07 PM, Mason45 said:

Hi there, for the past 5-6 months I've had constant sore throats with thick clear mucus when I clear my throat. I've been to several doctors who all give me the same medication which has had absolutely no affect on my condition. As I'm 80 yo now I've limited my beer drinking and I haven't had a smoke for going on 50 years. So has anyone had this condition and if so how did you treat it.

Seeing this has only happened the last half year, besides what others they mentioned, look into any changes you might have made. Allergies can start anytime, especially if you haven't been exposed earlier to the allergen. If you've never had acid reflux, it can come from spicy foods and eating too late, right before bed. Using a raised pillow can help with that. Wondering what medication they might be giving you that's not working.

Have you tried brown mixture, Leopard brand? Green label, orange border. Pharmacies or 7/11.

 

When my throat is raw for any reason, a sip soothes it back down.

On 8/2/2025 at 12:10 PM, novacova said:

Don’t sleep with the fan and a/c blowing on you.

Fan OK, sleeping with aircon does the same sore throat to me.

Took me a long time to resolve mine. Turned out to be acid reflux.

Used tablets to suppress it, but even heartburn remedies work if you take it regularly.

Snoring doesn't help either.

What about seeing a dr?

 

Worst case throat cancer

I had problems like this earlier this year during all of the air pollution. Increasing the humidity in the house helped, constant mopping of the floors helped a little (got rid of the layer of particles). But a week of taking Ivermectin is what let me recover. It gave me a break and chance to heal.

However, your problem may be something different. If you can, try running a shower and make your home or room really humid. If you get relief, maybe try the above.

57 minutes ago, Hummin said:

What about seeing a dr?

 

Worst case throat cancer

And the side effects/after effects of this and the treatment can be coughing up thick white phlegm and a sore throat when you eat and drink.

 

Licorice/Peppermint or spearmint tea with lemon, honey optional. Veldent mouth spray deep in the throat. Hydration is key, you are in the age group that doesnt drink enough, but plain water doesnt work. Aloe with water also..

 

Possibly a small hiatal hernia. 

Gargle apple cider vinegar straight, then swallow it. It always fixes my sore throat up.

Get a check ASAP for throat cancer. I had for a couple of years worsening sore throats, mucus, hoarse, voice change. I finally reached the stage where I would get attacks where I could barely get my breath for minutes. The doctors missed it several times but finally did the tube down the throat, had to go under anesthetic, Then they did all the work and discovered the cancer. I immediately made flight to Minneapolis for the VA hospital, equivalent to Mayo for doctors etc. Stage 4a, 8 mos. in hospital with surgery, radiology, chemo. I'm still here but not the same person I was a couple of years ago and with the doctors telling me less than 40% recover, Thai doc says those that have here and have operation have here less than 20% recovery. This is a cancer that can/will come back. 

My advice, check for cancer ASAP

On 8/2/2025 at 12:07 PM, Mason45 said:

Hi there, for the past 5-6 months I've had constant sore throats with thick clear mucus when I clear my throat. I've been to several doctors who all give me the same medication which has had absolutely no affect on my condition. As I'm 80 yo now I've limited my beer drinking and I haven't had a smoke for going on 50 years. So has anyone had this condition and if so how did you treat it.

Go first for a blood count. 

I suppose your white blood cells count is high which indicates any kind of infection.

Then go from there 

Maybe you have throat gonorrhea , could be carrying that for ages, had sexual contact before the throat issue started? if so get a throat swab

On 8/2/2025 at 12:07 PM, Mason45 said:

Hi there, for the past 5-6 months I've had constant sore throats with thick clear mucus when I clear my throat. I've been to several doctors who all give me the same medication which has had absolutely no affect on my condition. As I'm 80 yo now I've limited my beer drinking and I haven't had a smoke for going on 50 years. So has anyone had this condition and if so how did you treat it.

 

Gurgle with salt water when you have sore throat.

If anything bacterial/viral, it often works.

Good luck.

7 hours ago, Hummin said:

What about seeing a dr?

 

Worst case throat cancer

 

And do I know about that!

 

Started as a sore throat, wouldn't go away, then difficulty swallowing, which became impossible and then the impossibility of climbing stairs or breathing.

 

Throat cancer, or cancer of the larynx, in my case.

 

I went to numerous hospitals and wasted money in Pattaya at two hospitals, and, under pressure, I went to Bumrungrad, where they diagnosed it in 15 minutes.

 

It was costly, INSURANCE DIDN'T COVER ALL OF IT, and I'm now 63 years old; the operation was 21 years ago.

 

SEEK HELP AND A THOROUGH CHECK AT A GOOD HOSPITAL

With luck,

 

You don't have it, but go to a reputable hospital and always seek a second opinion.

 

It took me three hospitals to receive the correct diagnosis.

Do you cough mucus when your out and about or only when your at home and laying down ?

I think air pollution may be a contributing factor.  

Have you moved recently?  Or, are you mostly static?  Either one may keep you exposed to who-knows-what is in the air.  Are you running multiple air purifiers in your home?

Also, have you gotten a full check-up including chest X-rays?  It could be signs of something worse.

My father hadn't smoked in 40-50 years and lived in California, yet developed lung cancer at a late age (78).

 

 

You will need a goods nasal-endoscopy and a laryngoscopy to exclude a larynxcarcinoma.

 

DikW, MD,PhD

Definitely try cleaning the AC in the Bedroom and angle the direction of air away from the bed.

 

It seems the girlfriend and I will start developing sore throat or runny nose close to the 6 month mark from last AC cleaning.

 

Otherwise seek the best specialist you can find