Chest infection groan..: I am going... - Lung Conditions C...

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Chest infection groan..

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10 years ago•29 Replies

I am going through hell with this infection,I have had a headache for 3 days and feel yuk..I feel a bit better as the day goes on and then worse towards evening.. I hate the mornings.Any tips would be appreciated on how I can clear my lungs to breathe a bit better....

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29 Replies

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huggs10 years ago

Hi Porche,

I am sorry that you have developed a chest infection, as that is the last thing you need! These things are always worse first thing in the morning aren't they, as all the gunge gathers through the night?

I know this sounds a bit obvious, but have you tried a simple steam inhalation? The steam is very good at loosening the mucous up, and making it easier to cough up. If you have a steam inhaler, or even just a large bowl, fill it with boiling water and if you have any menthol add a small crystal. Any oils would do, but albas or eucalyptus are very good. Just go with what you have, and if you don't have any, just try the steam. Place bowl or inhaler on a flat surface, then get a really large towel and place it over your head and shoulders tent style. Bend over the bowl and take slow deep breaths. Have loads of tissues handy, because you will need them.!!!! Are you on something called mucodyne. This is a prescription only drug which is designed to break up and thin mucous down, so making it easier to cough up. Mind you, it takes a week or two to work properly, so that's not something that will help you now, but it may be worth getting it in, if you can, in case you get another infection.

I hear others talking about huffing etc, but don't know much about that. I know you are very ill, but you could maybe ask for a home visit from the physiotherapist to show you how to clear your lungs properly. To get one soon would need an urgent recommendation from your doctor. I understand there is lots of footage on you tube about how to do this. If you go down this road, then be sure to look for footage which is carried out by a qualified physiotherapist.

I really hope that you feel much better soon. Drink plenty of fluids, rest and try the steam. Even the steam from a shower or bath can help a little, but is not as effective as towel over the head method!!

Good luck, and get well soon. Take care, hugs xxx

• in reply tohuggs10 years ago

Thanks huggs, I done the bowl with albus oil, made my eyes stream but felt a bit better after..I fell asleep in the garden and found I had to do it again.I have mucadyne four times a day and have learnt the "huffing"technique with my nurses..I have also done the rolling on the bed to try and clear some muck..Thank you huggs you ha ve been so helpful, the bowl for steaming has helped a lot..I have fallen into sleeps seven times today,I can't understand why I keep nodding off,, I have sunburnt my toes and half my boobs..I hope doc don't want to examine my chest next cpl days, thanks once again xxxxxxx

huggs• in reply to10 years ago

Hi Porche, You are very welcome, and glad to have been of help. The advantage of using steam with oil vapour is that you can do it as often as necessary. You keep nodding off because you are exhausted by all the coughing and the fact that your lungs are having to work harder. I slept for 3 and a half hours and have not long wakened up. I get exhausted at the slightest effort. If you feel like that then I don't know whether sun bathing is a good idea. After all, you don't want to end up liked a baked potato!! Hope you feel better soon. lots of hugs from Huggs xxx

• in reply tohuggs10 years ago

I have been breathing steam most of the evening and it has helped a lot.I didn't intend sunbathing I was sat in shade, but the sun moved.My nurse won't be too pleased as I am quite red on chest..Thanks for the concern you are so nice xxxxx

huggs• in reply to10 years ago

Hi again porche, I can just imagine you getting a ticking off from the nurse! Its good that you are getting physio in the morning. Use the steam inhalation before you go to bed, and again as soon as you wake up. Hopefully, that will make the physio easier and not be so hard on you. Incidentally I bought a steam inhaler (only plastic, but does the job) for £3 or £4 (from Amazon) and it has a mask which fits over your nose and mouth so you get more steam directly into your airways. I think

they are great standbys for emergencies, or even use every day if your condition warrants it. We have "spoken" before Porche, some time ago, when you weren't well. Get well soon and take care, lots of hugs from huggs. xx ps thanks for the 3 replies!!!

• in reply tohuggs10 years ago

I have dug out a steam facial I had for years and it does the the job..I remember talking to you before, and you gave e good advice then! I am still sat in chair as I can't walk just yet to make a cuppa.. My boyfiend coming over later to do my shopping and the nurse at 9..

Thank you hugs for your reply and the 3 replies I sent you were in appreciation(yea right lol)I am sTill waiting for my lappy to be fixed I am typing on a on screen keyboard lol..

I hope your ok hugs? It must be so hard for you!Your a lovely person, and I appreciate your advice.. lots of love Laura xxx

• in reply to10 years ago

I sent 3 replies to you last time and now lost half my msg I sent to you..I blame the drugs lol.xxxxx

• in reply tohuggs10 years ago

10 years ago

Morning porche296 - So sorry that you are feeling so poorly. Hugss has given you some great advise. The only thing I could add is that my husband uses saline in his neb. which really helps. This humidity and weather doesn't help. Wishing you the speediest recovery, with love TAD xx

• in reply to10 years ago

Huggs has been amazing with advice, she just got 3 replies from me as I thought it hadn't sent....The nurse just gave me saline for nebs after your advice as well, so thank you too.I feel really sick with this infection,I hate this disease don't you.?love Laura xx

• in reply to10 years ago

Laura I so hate it! It impacts on everything and onlookers just don't understand. I hope you start to feel better soon. Sleep while you can it gives your body time to heal. Lots of love xxxx

• in reply to10 years ago

I know hun, it really is a horrible disease,I am getting worse by the day and although I am waiting for this op to improve my quality of life its not going to help me live longer,, I don't see the point sometimes and it won't get rid of this depression.I seem to sleep a lot lately, I have always been a doer and I hate it too..How are you Tadaw?Always here to chat ...xxxxxx

• in reply to10 years ago

I'm fine Laura and how can I moan I only care for my husband I don't have the damn disease. It is depressing but just hang on to the hope of better days! Take good care lovely if nothing else be here for this forum!!! And me for you too whenever xxxxx

• in reply to10 years ago

Aww hunny,you have every right to have a moan to watch someone you love being ill..sometimes its worse for carers and I feel for you ,I really do..Big hugs xxxxxxxx

cofdrop-UK10 years ago

Hi Porche

Not sure what you do already but hugs has some great advice with the inhalation as has Tad with the saline. Might be an idea to see what services are available from your GP i.e. physio. One of the PEPs might be useful - the flutter or acapella. My memory is rubbish but one of our lovely members was taught to use the bubble pep - an easy, cheap, effective PEP you can make at home.

You could also lay over a few pillows - hips uppermost and head on bed to allow gunk to drain, although I would be reluctant to do percussion unless you have been shown how to do it properly. Some folks think you just clap with a flat hand which could do more harm than good, You would need to use cupped floppy hands - the reasoning is to trap the air and move the gunk. Similar to what the acapella does internally. A physio would be able to show you various methods which you find would suit you.

Hope you feel better soon.

love cx

forgot - gosh.nhs.uk/medical-conditi...

• in reply tocofdrop-UK10 years ago

Thanks cofdrop ,Although what you said is really good advice.. my nurse will be giving me physio tomorrow,my chest is so tight ..I usually hang over the bed and try n huff after rolling, but I am so tired it takes all my energy.. I have to double up on the mucadyne.but was told they can upset your stomach by the nurse...I want a bubble pep lol..Thanks again.. love Laura x

10 years ago

Dreading the morning, this is when my chest is tight and my breathing goes.........

Kad2110 years ago

I use Eucalyptus oil in my steamer, it really helps but only use a few drops x

10 years ago

Aww thanks,will give it a try..xxxx

sue4810 years ago

Mornin laura ...not much better then. ? Oh dear one thing after another isnt it. ? Cant really offer any other advice. But i allways resort to the old stand bye of Vick rubbed on chest and back. . Seems to soothe chest and clear head too , but we all different and just.have to try everything till sometnhing works for you. . Off to hosp in bit so i message you later. Xx. Sue

James4810 years ago

The 'Huff cough' works. Takes a bit pf practice but should help,

youtube.com/watch?v=fqZUt3c...

jenss10 years ago

Hi Porche, sorry to hear you are unwell. When I had a chest infection my specialist told me to do the bubble method and then do the huff cough. Bubble method helps loosing the mucus: Get an empty plastic bottle. Fill with about 10 cm of water (make sure that is another 10 cm or so of headspace above the water), get a tube (internal diameter about 1/2 cm) if you don't have a tube use 2-3 of straws (change the water height if you have to - a little is better than nothing), then put tube/straws to the bottom of the water bottle. Then breath in deep and blow out through the tube/straw so that bubbles form. The vibrations of the bubbles get transferred back into the airways and loosen the mucus. Follow with huff coughing, postural drainage or rolling and/or other techniques as you wish. When the infection is strong do this 3-4 times a day, when you get better you can decrease frequency. I hope it helps and you will feel better soon. Lots of lovexxxx.

• in reply tojenss10 years ago

Wow this is the first I have heard of it.I am surprised no one has told me about it..Thank you so much I have got the straws off my hospital fortijuice at the ready. I had to go to surgery earlier as the antibiotics not helping.I am now on 8 steroids and Clarithromycin 500mg just hope they will help as my chest is heavy..She wanted me in hospital but I am holding my own..Thanks once again for the tip much appreciated...lots love Laura xxx

FarmerD10 years ago

Hi Laura,don,t know if you know how to make your own "flutter" it,s really easy.Get an old ,clean milk bottle or similar and some tubing( ask pharmacist) .put about 3 inches of water in the bottle then the tube and blow gently for as long as is comfy,this loosens the gunk and makes it easier to shift.Hope you feel better soon.D.

• in reply toFarmerD10 years ago

Thank you Farmer,Jens gave the same advice and I am so grateful to you both. I just had the brainwave of cutting tubing off old mask. I will be bubbling away.All the very best to you and thanks once again xxx

sue4810 years ago

Hiya laura ...no better then ? Oh dear. One thing after another ! Cant offer any more advice really. Just i usually resort to the old tried and tested Vick. !! Rubbed on chest it seems to soothe my chest and clear my head. Rub it on my back too seems to help. Might be worth a go. !! I really hope you soon improve laura ! I might message you again later ..just got appt at hosp. So speak soon sue. Xx

sue4810 years ago

Hiya ... ive sent you a loner message on that other post love ...sue. x

sue4810 years ago

Lord above all my messages keep disapearing ! Ive sent you a longer message on other post ....i think. !

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