Getting to sleep

[joke]

Having a bit of a bad time. This weather hast stimulated mucus which rises to my throat roughly to the level where I had my trachiotamy Ok during the day but as I drift off to sleep I tend to swallow my phlegm problem being it shuts down my breathing and startled me awake and breathless and anxious. Any ideas?

[mrsmummy]

Hi joke. Have you tried altering your sleeping position? You could try sleeping on your side, using extra pillows, raising the head of your bed. Ask your respiratory nurse if she has any ideas as she may have come across it before.

[joke in reply to mrsmummy]

All done including anti anxiety breathing exercise and phlegm breathing exercise before going to bed! Thanks for taking time out to reply

[mrsmummy in reply to joke]

I always think we can cope with most things if only we have been able to sleep. Perhaps try the BLF helpline to see if they can help? They are open office hours on 03000 030 555.

[sarcoid1234 in reply to joke]

You say 5days ago that you are now doing phlegm breathing exercise before going to bed. Do you mean Active cycle of breathing which is what I do before bed to cough up the phlegm. This is a good site to explain it youtube.com/watch?v=XvorhwG...(Not working as expected?)

There is lots on the internet about Active Cycle of Breathing Technique (ACBT); I was taught by a physiotherapist to do it lying down on each side but it can be done sitting up. If it feels 'stuck' you could buy a nebuliser which gives steam to loosen the mucus and make it easier to cough up. Or you could put your head over a bowl of very hot water with a towel over your head to loosen the mucus which I used to do before I had my nebuliser. I also have a Flutter device which I bought which helps if the phlegm occasionally gets particularly stuck (Look on the internet to explain what this is).

Mrs Mummy mentions raising the head of your bed. It might be worth looking at inclinedbedtherapy.com/ where people have put 6 inch wood blocks or similar under the head of the bed, and 3 inch half way down. I myself have bought a foam bed wedge which does a similar thing. If you choose this option make sure you get one that is quite long - mine is 31 inches long so I can lie on it. Some are 6 inches high and I think some are 8 inches high.

One last thing. My phlegm is white, but I have been told that if it goes yellow or green that may mean I have an infection and I should ask my doctor's receptionist for a little pot, cough in to it (in private!), and the doctor will send it to the local hospital for analysis to know which is the best antibiotic to fight it.

I hope this helps.