Plagued by Thick Mucus.

[hellix]

hi - i've been using ventolin for a couple of years - it used to work but now the phlegm problem is getting worse & it sometimes makes me wretch when i try to clear it.

it's clear/grey & very sticky just like wallpaper paste - when i try to spit it out it actually hangs in suspension from my mouth.

does anyone know of anything that would thin down the phlegm thereby making it easier to expel.

gp give me a nasal spray but no good.

cheers.

[SheilaC]

Go back to the GP. It seems to me that they try different, simple things hoping they will work. I kept going and eventually had a CT scan followed by mucus tests which shows that I may need (probably over a long period of time) anti-biotic. I have an appointment with a Respiratory Consultant next week arranged after a meeting with her respiratory nurse who could see I was struggling.

[Hidden]

I don't know if you eat much dairy food but try and cut it down. Whilst it doesn't cause mucus it does make it stickier and harder to cough up. Drink lots of liquid (water is best) as this will help thin it down.

[Hidden]

Ask for a referral to an ENT specialist! Do not suffer xx

[Matman]

As you probably know, many Asthmatics are constantly troubled by Mucus, frequently without any underlying infection.

An opinion held by many medics is that Inflammation of the airways gives rise to Mucus production.

Currently, the main treatment seems to be daily inhaled steroids at doses of up to 500 mcg Twice Daily (Note 'mcg' not 'mg') coupled with a Long Acting Beta Agonist (LABA) in the same Inhaler as the Steroid. A LABA is essentially a longer lasting version of the SABA (Short Acting Beta Agonist) contained in your Ventolin Inhaler. A dose of Ventolin lasts 4 to 6 hours and LABAs tend to last about 12 Hours, and are typically inhaled - along with the Steroid - twice a day (every day for a long time, e.g. Months / Years).

It's probably well worth asking your GP for a Consultant referral as it may be that both the Consultant's knowledge and (maybe) a CT Scan could help clarify matters.

Unfortunately, Mucus continues to defy many treatment regimes. Tackling the underlying inflammation with inhaled Steroids and Beta Agonists seems to be the most favoured approach, possibly in conjunction with a nasal steroid Inhaler, if appropriate.

An ENT Referral to check for sinus issues may also be helpful.

I'm not medically qualified so chat to your GP about it.