Hello, just looking to check what is normal. Only diagnosed this year with adult onset asthma after multiple chest infections since last year. Since October last year had a lot of antibiotics. During this whole time I've been constantly coughing up phlegm that is slightly white/yellow/green. Would sometimes go few days without it and then right back to it again.
Got antibiotics a month ago and started fostair inhaler and after anti bs for first time since October phlegm was just clear for a good three weeks.
Yesterday I forgot to take my antihistamine until it was quite late in the day. This morning I've woke up with chest feeling congested and coughing up phlegm with some green / yellow.
The question is ... If in your experience does this colour of phlegm always mean infection or can it just be a sign of asthma flare up??? Sick of antibiotics and worried GPS giving them out a little easily.
Thanks in advance!
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Pinkdog2024
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hi , I’m not entirely sure I’m the best person to answer but usually coloured phlegm does mean infection . That said, I sometime cough up a bit coloured in the morning and then mostly clear or white. Something a professional may be best to answer.
Sorry to hear you’ve recently been diagnosed. I’ve had asthma about 26 years, wnd worse recent 8 years with allergies every summer. but interestingly my phlegm has been worse since last October when got a bad virus and subsequent chest then sinus infections . Got those under control and then had issues with allergies and weather changes. I pretty much produce loads of phlegm every night which wakes me up 1 to 3 times and causes asthma with coughing.
Although I am struggling, I would reccomended trying to address allergies as well as asthma if you know that’s the issues. Dymista is a very good nasal spray on prescription to treat post nasal drip and then all the prevention / anti histamines too, plus montelukast. Could be worth asking for a thorough allergy test to identify triggers, and also a sputum test sample on your phlegm
You could put in a sputum sample to be tested to check for infection (if it is an infection they can then know which antibiotic it's most sensitive to) or ask for a blood test to check your inflammation levels etc. If you go to see the GP take a sputum sample with you each time.
If you think it's allergy based, might be best to speak to your GP/asthma nurse. It may be that you need another allergy medication. There are some tablets you take at bed time to help prevent asthma by night as well as things like nasal rinses and nasal sprays for your sinuses to help prevent gunk draining into your throat/lungs if that was found to be part of the problem.
influenzae? I was coughing up the same for three months before I was tested positive for this! It is very difficult to get rid of but after numerous antibiotics and reading lots of help on this site from others I think I’ve finally getting rid of it!! Hope you get the cough!
What is normal? That does differ from person to person. There's no blueprint as such, just a steep learning curve in understanding how your asthma behaves. And use this forum as much as you need. In addition, the Asthma UK nurses helpline is very helpful; open Mon to Fri, office hours, on 0300 222 5800.
Phlegm can be a result of a viral or bacterial infection or an asthma flare up (inflammation), but I tend to have long periods of experiencing phlegm long after the initial infection or flare up. It can drag on for months and I feel like a phlegm factory. The risk is, if the lungs aren't suffering with an infection to begin with, they could possibly become infected because of the phlegm.
I would definitely get your phlegm tested to figure out if it's an infection and what type, so that the correct antibiotic can be prescribed. And your GP can prescribe a mucolytic that helps thin out the mucus, making it easier to shift. In an ideal world, a referral to a respiratory physiotherapist would help in teaching you the best way to shift the phlegm. But there are videos on YouTube, made by qualified physiotherapists, explaining the huffing technique. It's less arduous on the body than just coughing.
We can't discount triggers either. If I even have a sip of sparkling wine or champagne for a toast, my lungs feel like I have an infection. Sulphites are one of my triggers and so I don't drink alcohol and I avoid processed foods. Be aware that allergies can start at anytime in life. And if you do think this might be happening, keeping a diary of symptoms and what you eat and drink can help figure out what makes your symptoms worse.
I agree about dishing out antibiotics, at this stage I would expect a sputum test and a different approach to resolving the issue. If you want to discuss how you can get your GP to be more targeted in their treatment, a chat with one of the Asthma UK nurses can help you prepare for the GP appointment.
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