Throat Issues: Chronic Inflammation and Diagnosis Challenges - Otolaryngology

Throat issues

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Around mid-November, I experienced cold symptoms and initially visited a doctor.
After finishing a three-day course of medication, my throat discomfort did not improve; instead, I felt discomfort on the right side of my throat.
At times, the right side felt tight or swollen, making it difficult to breathe, especially when swallowing saliva or food, which felt like it was getting stuck, occasionally accompanied by a prickling sensation.
I also had a persistent urge to clear phlegm from my throat.

Later, I consulted a second ENT specialist.
Initially, they used a standard laryngoscope for examination.
Since my symptoms did not improve, during the second visit, the doctor palpated the lymph nodes in my neck and performed a rigid laryngoscopy, noting that phlegm was stuck on the throat wall.
Both visits resulted in prescriptions for anti-inflammatory medication, but there was no significant improvement.

At the beginning of December, I went directly to the ENT department at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital.
After describing my symptoms, the doctor suspected a fish bone might be lodged in my throat.
A standard laryngoscopy was performed, and again, it was noted that phlegm was stuck on the throat wall.
I was prescribed expectorants, and my symptoms initially improved.
However, in mid-December, I contracted influenza, during which I experienced yellow phlegm with blood.
After recovering from the flu, I no longer had similar yellow phlegm with blood, but the symptoms on the right side of my throat reappeared and have persisted until now.
Occasionally, I would expel jelly-like thick phlegm.

I subsequently consulted two more doctors, who mentioned mucosal inflammation, and one suggested it might be gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
I recently underwent an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, which confirmed the presence of GERD.

To summarize my recent condition:
1.
I have excessive phlegm, which is sometimes thick, mostly clear, but occasionally slightly yellow (not much).
2.
There is no significant cough.
3.
The right side of my throat feels tight, and there is a sensation of something getting stuck or a prickling feeling when swallowing.
4.
When swallowing, I can see that the cartilage just below the right side of my Adam's apple is more prominent and can be pressed (not sure if this is relevant).
5.
Sometimes, the swallowing action makes the right side of my throat and neck feel tighter.
6.
The uncomfortable area is approximately from the right lower jaw to the height of the Adam's apple.
7.
I have a history of allergic rhinitis, which previously caused frequent runny nose; however, after the throat discomfort began, the runny nose has become less frequent, and the consistency has changed from watery to slightly thicker (still clear).
8.
Doctors have noted the presence of lymphoid follicles in the pharyngeal wall.
9.
Palpation of the lymph nodes showed no abnormalities.
I would like to ask:
1.
If the doctor has used an indirect laryngoscope/rigid laryngoscope (pressed against the tongue) for examination, can they detect any growths or abnormalities in the throat? Are the lingual tonsils, epiglottis, and vocal cords visible?
2.
Can chronic throat inflammation cause unilateral throat discomfort?
3.
If there is still no improvement, should I pursue further examinations?

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Duo Duo, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2019/01/28