So, been to the docs about the asthma symptoms. My oxygen level was 98....my chest sounds clear. He seems to think that because of my pulled rib muscles, it's been painful to cough up phlegm. As I have a productive cough now.He said rib muscles take 4 to 6 weeks to heal...as you're unable to rest the muscles due to breathing!
On the plus side, he's referring me to a breathing clinic...for a full asthma assessment, so they can properly diagnose if I do have it....I get seasonal and exercise induced asthma.
I've been taking an expectorant to help...but if anyone has any tips to get stubborn mucous off my chest...I'll be grateful
Thanks
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BFlying
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Hi Bflying check out the list of foods that can help reduce phelm and avoid ones that make it i did have a list but god knows were it is among the many i have for low GI and fodmap recipies should be some good food list on google take care stay safe.xx
Hi Bflying,So pleased your GP has referred you to a breathing clinic, hopefully you will get some clarity. You may want to consider steam inhalation which can help to shift mucous. Breathing exercises can also be very helpful however you need a professionally trained Resp Nurse to teach you. Walking to a pace which gets you slightly out of breath(but not sure if that's doable atm with your pulled rib muscles)helps to loosen stubborn mucous. Back massage may also help. Hope you feel better soon.
Just to respond with a warning for others reading - steam inhalation can make some people's asthma worse. If it doesn't and you can use it, great, but it isn't suitable for everyone.
keep very hydrated. This means drinking much than you think you need. Much more. Aside from drinking “normally “, eg an cup in the morning, morning break, lunchtime, afternoon break and tea time, you need to drink and sip water throughout the entire day and when you wake up in the night and of course when you wake up in the morning as you get out of bed. Most people have no idea how dehydrated they are because thirst is not a reliable indicator of the body’s need for fluids. It also means eating more foods with a high water content such a fruit, salads, soups. It will mean more frequent trips to the loo but it will, importantly, thin the mucus but it will take time for the extra fluids to get through to the mucous membranes so keep going with it. Thinned mucus is much easier to shift and takes much less effort. Hope you feel better soon.
I'm back to the docs again today. Had terrible indigestion in the night, my ribs are hurting more and this morning I had a tickle in my throat. I coughed and there were some bright drops of blood in the phlegm. When I had a hot shower, just before, I could feel phlegm in the back of my throat...like it was moving off my chest. But would phlegm that's been stuck on your chest for ages have blood in it?? My appt is at 2pm. Such a worry
Blood in phlegm is quite common with chest infections, coughing. You can burst small blood vessels in your lungs and/or nose or throat, so don't worry it's unlikely to be serious.
If you want help getting the mucous up carbocisteine works well for most people, drink plenty of water with it, too.
I was thinking of maybe cancelling the appt...but the doc said to come back if anything changes. But they just do the same diagnostics....listening to your chest, checking oxygen levels, take temperature...I just want to get on with my life and get over all this
I had indigestion the night before I pulled the muscles in my side. It sort of went but has come back now. I wonder if it was because I ate just before bed last night. At this very moment, I feel like I'm breathing through a paper bag, rapid breathing. Still got these indigestion pains. I've not started on any new meds.
I've not mentioned the ongoing indigestion to docs, as didn't think it was relevant. But maybe that is why I feel this bubbly sensation just under my ribs when a bend over.
I wish they could just send me for an xray, so they can see what's going on inside, instead of just listening to the vital signs
Update....just got back from seeing a really nice doctor. I've got gastritis from the evil naproxen!!!! Got to be on omeprazole for the next 2 weeks....my tummy hurt a LOT when he pressed on it. At least I have an answer though now. Stomach feels rubbish!
Regarding the mucus problem, one of my many symptoms is ongoing mucus production due to long term lung damage. I have been taking a saline solution via a nebuliser without much success, tried steam inhalation too.
I was referred to the Brompton for asthma assessment and have a multitude of the usual meds to manage it, including biologicals. Nothing seems to be effective.
It all comes back to mucus. Shifting it is impossible. The physio team at the Brompton have prescribed a stronger saline solution for the neb. I needed a further assessment for suitability but it is certainly shifting more mucus than before.
PF hasn’t improved though.
I am hopeful that, together with breathing exercises it will help in the long term.
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