Rattling chest

[patj]

I have had a bad chest infection sputum test done given right antibiotics eventually. But now I'm left with this awful rattling sound when I breathe. I feel every one can here me rattling. Any suggestions on what I can do please.

[cofdrop-UK]

You could try laying over a few pillows, hips on the top and head on the bed. Try on each side for about 10-15 minutes each and see if you can huff and cough up any mucus you can get up. Be gentle. Not like me - I'm too aggresive with lung clearance.

Get well soon.

cx

[Hidden]

Hi patj. The rattling is mucus which is left in your lungs and airways from the infection. You need to get it out to stop the germs growing in it and the infection starting up again. Cof drop's advice on how to do this is very good. If you go on having mucus in your lungs after you finish the antibiotics and have done your best to get it all up go back to the doc as the antibiotics may not have finished the job and you may need some more.

[patj in reply to Hidden]

Thank you I will try that cof drop. Trouble is there isn't really any antibiotics that get rid of it totally. I'm taking azithromycin every other day. It's just so noisy feel embarrassed at work in case they can hear me.

[Hidden in reply to patj]

you could be on the wrong antibiotic. I was on azith for several years then it stopped working. I think that you need your sputum testing again to see which bug is in there and a change of antibiotic to treat it. I'm afraid that the answer to the rattling is regular and determined emptying of your lungs. Do it before you leave home and If you need to, go to the loo at work and get rid of it. I have had a lifetime of it because I have bronchiectasis which never goes away. As for what everybody else thinks - ignore it.

[patj]

Easier said than done, but I will try. I do bring up mucus in the morning not a lot but a bit. Thanks for your good advice.

[soulsaver]

Carbocysteine helps thin the mucus make it easier to get up.. but you'll be producing it for a while after an infection IME.