Partners chest problem

[mandycalpin]

Hi

My partner has constantly got mucus on his chest and finds it hard to breath sometimes as he can't get it up and off his chest I am constantly massaging his front and back to try help! It's very worrying please can somebody help advise what the best remedy is this stuff comes up with lots of black stuff inside sometimes like jelly! Thick sticky slime type stuff! He's been to the doctors many of times but they palm him off with tablets which don't work! Iv Google it and it's sounding like one of them vibrating vests may be a good idea any other ideas please he's been like this most of his life but it's getting worse now only 31 please help?

[RibvanRey]

Hello Mandy. The good thing is that he is getting large amounts of the muck up. Has he been diagnosed? Has the mucus been tested?

Unless there has been a pathology lab test run on what is coming up from his lungs then there is not a great deal of point in prescribing antibiotics.

Without a diagnosis it is difficult to advise your next course of action.

Kind regards, Rib

[maureenjjj in reply to RibvanRey]

You need a nebulizer it seems..the treatment with ipratropium bromide and albuterol sulfate..always helps me.. every person with copd should own one.. please ask your doctor for a prescription...

[Juliette011 in reply to maureenjjj]

Hi maureenjjj...I too have a nebulizer, but the ipratoprium bromide...what is that...the albuterol sulfate, I think is like ventolin, or is it??

[maureenjjj in reply to maureenjjj]

The ipratropium bromide & albuterol sulfate was given to me in the hospital. It seems to be a combination drug used in my nebulizer which is a little bit stronger

[maureenjjj in reply to maureenjjj]

Yes it is most likely works the same as albuterol.

[Foxy79]

Hi Mandycaplin

Hi just got your message I'm foxy79

Your partner got chest infection and mucus is building up won't go that easy you need to give more info as there are various ways of getting mucus out u can say like nublizer there's a medicine there's antibiotics or if not there's ways of coughing will clear his lungs but need to know what us his illness has he got copd or asthma if you can say I hope I can advise you bye

[Foxy79]

I had thus slum black jelly when I had astma know I have copd respiratory type 2 asthma broncechtisis emphysema I'm on oxygen nebulizer and bipeb machine everyday I'm 37 years old I was a smoker and not use to keep my health in order before If you can give big more details on might be able to help hiw long has he had it for what meds has he taken and us he a smoker etc

Foxy79

[Shaurene]

Hi Mandy

Sorry to hear this. I know what it is like. I reside in Thailand a lot and go back to New Zealand 2-3 times a year. I suffered with acute bronchitis here a lot. I have found a couple of things help. I buy a pack of dissolving tablets called FlemeX disolved one in a small amount of tepid water to loosen the flem. Your doctor can give you similar types. Also I have my own Nebuliser, and get the nebuliser tubes from the doctor this does help a lot. I buy mine when needed over the counter in Thailand. I found Prendislone does not help but gives my high blood sugar if on the to long.

Has he had X-rays on his chest to check for Bronchitis or Eumonea. Your winters in UK will not help.

BEST OF LUCK.

KEN

[Elizabethk]

I’ve just been shown how to use a Flutter device as I have asthma, bronchiectasis and nasal drip. Regular use of NeilMed nasal wash is wonderful for reducing nasal drip and consequent mucus collected in lungs and Flutter is a very effective way to gently bring up mucus off lungs. Have you seen a physiotherapist as they can give support and advice for clearing lungs? E x

[hallentine47]

I have severe COPD and Emphysema and often get periods of this problem. I use Carbocysteine prescribed by the Doc and I use a Flutter to vibrate up the muck and I use a nebulizer with salbutamol and I have various inhalers such as Symbicort and Tiotropium. I use the breathing exercises you can watch on You Tube and drink plenty of water sipping throughout the day. It can be quite a full time occupation but its important to keep clearing the gunk because that is where all the nasty bugs live and breed. Best of luck.

[Juliette011 in reply to hallentine47]

Hey hallentine 47...what does the carbocysteine do?....me too re the copd, and I'm just trying out a flutter....I think it might be better than the bubble pep...did you try that first before the flutter?

best of health to you hallentine47...all the very best for 2018

[hallentine47 in reply to Juliette011]

Happy New Year. Carbocysteine is like Mucadyne and is supposed to loosen the mucus so it can be removed more easily. Not everyone believes that i works but I take 6 a day when I have difficulty and usually three a day other wise. I went straight to a Flutter and found it works after getting used to it. I agree with Shancock. Its good to get tests to cover all possibilities.

[Juliette011 in reply to hallentine47]

thanks for this hallentine47...I will look into this more re the carbocysteine.....the bubble pep is you blow thru a tubing that is in a bottle with water...literally blowing bubbles!! its similar principal to the flutter. But the flutter is more convenient, and possibly more effective, but it costs....$65.00 here....somewhat affordable, but not when money is too tight to mention!!

[Shancock]

I think it would be best to get diagnosed then he can have the required treatment. He needs to go to GO, maybe you go with him. A sputum sample initially which can check for bacteria and see what that comes back with. Then maybe a CT scan to see what's happening with the lungs, has he ever had a lung function test?

It needs to be addressed and an actual diagnosis given to him, whether it's simply a lingering infection or something more long term.

Find out what's causing it and it can be treated accordingly.

[gordyboy in reply to Shancock]

Hi I have COPD and suffered for years with the mucus problem you describe.

Then my respiratory consultant sent me for a bronchal lung wash followed by 2 weeks of IV antibotic daily followed by two weeks of amoxicillin followed by permanent azithromycin every mon,wed,fri. The IV antibiotic was called

centrofloxine or something similar. Maybe you could ask your consultant about this approach. Good Luck

Gordyboy

[Matilda_1922]

Maybe ask your GP for a referral to a chest physio