Chronic phlegm and gagging.

[dadsdrdawn]

I have posted many times here, and wish you all well.

My father is 87, and has had advanced prostate cancer for 16 years.

He has small lesions on his hip and sacrum that have been there for 2 years, but now he has stopped all other treatments that worked for a while, and is onto something more aggressive.

He is on the SPLASH trial now, (just had his second shot) and also had 5 doses of radiation last week in his spine.

He's actually doing quite well, despite fatigue and an issue that he has had for 5 years, that is increasingly getting worse which I will describe below, that I'd love any feedback on.

He used to have this every morning, but now it is sometimes during the day.

He starts to gag due to excessive phlegm and ends up vomiting. It is a thick mucus, and if he has recently eaten, it is obviously food as well.

It's not the same as blowing your nose, as this is coming from his gut, or chest??

He's seen a gastro and they say there is "nothing wrong" there...no cancer etc...

Now, he is eating less as he is afraid that this will happen, and usually once it happens, (any time during the day) he is done, and it doesn't happen again.

Has anyone else experienced this increase of excessive thick phlegm, and any ideas why this is happening, or how to prevent it?

As mentioned, it used to be every morning, now it can be randomly any time of day for the last 6 months.

Thank you for any help, and I pray that you all live as quality of a life as my father, and as long, and that you always know there is HOPE, and something to look forward to in another day of life!

My parents in Ireland 2 months ago, at 86 and 87. Came back, got covid, and STILL going strong.

[Wahoo_]

Has he been checked for COVID again? How well does he hydrate himself?

[dadsdrdawn in reply to Wahoo_]

Not Covid, this has been going on for years, and is worse in the last 6 months. He is not great with hydrating, and we are trying REALLY hard to stay on him with that. Thank you.

[wagscure259]

I experienced excessive throat phlegm for years after being on bicalutamide and it continued while on darolutamide. I could not lie or sleep on my back but I never gagged, but had to clear it. I had a sputum culture which was negative and an ENT examination which turned up no sinus or nasal passage significant inflammation or infection. I increased my hydration which thinned the mucous out but not substantially. Because I’m now on docetaxel and prescribed prednisone 5mg twice a a day I no longer experience the phlegm, indicating probably a low level of inflammation??, but due to side effects not a viable long term treatment. I would recommend an ENT MD evaluation to rule out sinus infection/inflammation. Best of luck

[dadsdrdawn in reply to wagscure259]

Thank you. He has exhausted so many other options from ENT's, to throat cultures, to gut health etc....no one seems to know, and this is his biggest issue for a long time...it just seems to be getting worse, and making him not want to eat.

He has been taking medical marijuana gummies that help with the nausea and calm it a bit...but that's hit or miss. When it's good..he enjoys eating and drinking liquids. When it's bad, even the "idea" of swallowing water makes him cringe.

It's so violent when he gags and gets sick that it is scary for my mom. Then he goes and lays on the couch and gets up and feels better.

Dr. just gave him Prevacid. ugh- another med but I hope it helps. He tried it last year, and it didn't make a difference..so hopefully this takes the edge off.

healing hugs and thoughts to you,

D

[wagscure259 in reply to dadsdrdawn]

wow, that’s more intense than I experienced. Does he have GERD? I’m not a doctor but is seems to be an allergic reaction or autoimmune reaction to something, meds, environmental? Any abnormal blood tests like CRP for example?? Has he been to an allergist? So sorry he’s having to go through this. My phlegm issue was just a 24 hour nusance having to clear my throat.

[dadsdrdawn in reply to wagscure259]

He's had EVERY test including that. Thanks for your reply.

Blessings,

dawn

[j-o-h-n]

Try nonfat plain yogurt (cold from the fridge)...

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Monday 02/13/2023 10:26 PM EST

[dadsdrdawn in reply to j-o-h-n]

He can't stomach anything with that consistency. BUT they try to drink a kefir smoothie in the mornings when he can stomach it

Blessings,

Dawn

[j-o-h-n]

Hmmmmm now let me see... what an 87 year old Irishman would need to drink to eliminate his gagging issue......(hold on.... I'm thinking).....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Tuesday 02/14/2023 7:27 PM EST

[dadsdrdawn in reply to j-o-h-n]

Love your humor and I'll take any ideas. Best to you !

[j-o-h-n]

Thank you (your dear Dad probably dated the same girls/women/ladies......that I did) - I'm 86 and dated a few Irish girls.... and I remember "the stack of barley"......and how the girls stood at one side of the room and guys on the other side, and never the twain would meet. Give him my regards and maybe laughter will settle him down. BTW I never hit the Irish sweepstakes.....and I'm still looking for a refund. -

p.s. Chocolate Kisses to your Mum

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Tuesday 02/14/2023 7:48 PM EST

[dadsdrdawn in reply to j-o-h-n]

Irish blessings to you for a lifetime of laughter and the happiness you bring to others!

[lowT163]

flowmax has my throat full all the time or that’s what they tell me it is.