How can I get rid of this phlegm at the back of my throat?

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I only seem to feel it when lying down, and it's really distracting.
It's not making me cough or have the urge to keep clearing my throat. And it's not heartburn. It's from my sinuses and the only thing I want to do is swallow it down but it doesn't shift.
The reason why it's bothersome at night is because as I'm falling asleep I suddenly wake myself up by a snore because of the phlegm, and I'm otherwise a non-snorer. It's only been happening the last few days.
I take over the counter antihistamine tablets because I suffer bad hay fever, but I've been taking them for months and I've never had this problem.
Even drinking water doesn't shift it (I don't like to drink too much before bed because I get an overactive bladder that also keeps me awake at night).

Anybody know what this is and how I can shift it?
I don't have diabetes by the way.

try using a nasal decongestant...

I personally like Benzedrex, it comes in a little inhaler container and clears things out nicely but not sure that exact one is available in the U.K.

Try gargling some warm salt water.

Or swallow 1-2 spoonfuls of vinegar -- I'm referring to white vinegar.


Can't say which decongestant to have. I wish I could for myself.

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Warm or hot coffee or tea always works for me.

I'm always scared to gargle with salt water in case I accidentally swallow it and then I'll be sick.

It's not been so bad lately. Must be hormonal - yes I do get some weird and wonderful ailments related to my hormones, things you wouldn't think the menstrual cycle would affect.

I know some ways to get rid of it, but it doesn't sound like you have LPR, so it probably won't work for you.
Although maybe it could be caused by reflux? Maybe that's why you only feel it when laying down?

Anyway, if you think it could be caused by LPR/GERD/reflux/etc. you can check out this article: https://chriskresser.com/how-to-cure-ge ... edication/

Otherwise, I find that a good nasal rinse (like a netti pot) helps for a while.

Perhaps trying a simple hot water and steam inhalation to clear out the sinuses would help. Just be safe when doing it and don't put your head to close to the bowl you use for the steam.

I also get this a lot. It seems to come from the back of the nose where it connects to the sinuses. I was taking a nasal spray containing mometesone furorate for a while, but unfortunately it's prescription only. Closest I can get over the counter is Beconase, a spray which contains beclometasone. It helps, but it's not quite as good. When it gets really bad, I've sometimes resorted to snorting saline solution to wash my nose out- I use the purifed stuff they sell for washing contact lenses.

Right now I don't have a good answer for what to take for it but can say that there was one time several years ago where I got a laugh out of my doctor with,
"Over the counter stuff ain't cutting it, I need something industrial strength which will before I have to take a shop vac, some duct tape, and this leftover straw from Mc Donalds and go literally industrial strength ..."

I have chronic & sometimes sever sinus & allergy problems but I also have GERD(Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) & the phlegm is defiantly a problem for me sometimes. My GERD is well controlled nowadays by taking Prilosec before breakfast but I still have phlegm problems sometimes cuz of my sinus & allergy problems. I take a couple allergy meds daily & use a nasal spray but that stuff just does NOT help enough sometimes; I should make a post about it here one of these days. When the phlegm is bad I drink a dose of Robitussin Sever Cold & Flue cough syrup. It contains a decongestant & an expectorant & it temporarily helps clear the phlegm out. I would advise against drinking cough syrup for acid reflux related phlegm thou cuz I know from personal experience that drinking cough syrup can make acid reflux worse if it is already acting up.

I think it is there when I'm standing as well but I don't feel or notice it so much because I'm not focusing on it, and it's not causing any problems like difficulties swallowing or breathing or any pain. It's just annoying when trying to sleep. But it is hay fever season.