Need a sputum sample : I've been asked... - Lung Conditions C...

Lung Conditions Community Forum

56,238 members66,864 posts

Need a sputum sample

kate1978 profile image
24 Replies

I've been asked to provide a sputum sample, before taking antibiotics, have looked on you tube, and tried taking deep breaths and then huffing, but nothing, any advice please

Written by
kate1978 profile image
kate1978
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
24 Replies
andyrrc profile image
andyrrc

I know that feeling only too well - I have a lot of mucus in big lumps as a norm but when it comes to actually giving a sample like you - nothing:) if you find a way please let know how because my doctor keeps asking and I keep failing. I feel so embarrassed because the doc can hear the muck but I can't get it out.

-Butterfly- profile image
-Butterfly-

I had pneumonia last year and had the same issue. Lungs were full of muck but couldn't get any up for a sample!

Dibola04 profile image
Dibola04

Hi, I have the same problem and am now using a saline nebuliser before I do my chest clearance regime as a trial. I understand that I may need to try hypertonic saline nebs when my chest is more stable.

Lynzilou profile image
Lynzilou in reply toDibola04

Hi Dibola04

I have the same problem as well, I can get the first bits of mucus up, but there always seems to be more left behind. Did you get your saline nebuliser from your doctor? Mine wouldn't give me one, said they no longer prescribed them, so my daughter has bought me one from Amazon, plus the saline - we will try it when she gets home from work -I have found that I am too breathless to do the cough clearance straightaway I have to use my inhaler first, the breathlessness makes me panic. are you the same, is that why you do the nebuliser first? I have pulmonary fibrosis - what have you got?

Regards

Lynne

Dibola04 profile image
Dibola04 in reply toLynzilou

Hi Lynne,

I have Asthma and Bronchiectasis, the later resulted in several years of repeated chest infections. My Consultant and Respiratory Physio have suggested I try this to help clear my chest and break the cycle alongside prophylactic antibiotics. Haven’t noticed a huge difference yet but only just started it, fingers crossed!

Might be worth discussing it again, there is a difference between 0.9% saline and hypertonic saline.

Best wishes

heatt profile image
heatt

Hi, I feel for you, I was the same(Ihave MAC) The last nurse I got said to just get whatever I could, saliva and from my throat was all I could get. It tested positive for MAC. I wonder if whatever is in our lungs is in our throat and saliva also. Before that I had to have Bronchoscopy to get samples which was a real pain. All the best to you.

kate1978 profile image
kate1978 in reply toheatt

Thank you I don't know what MAC is , will have to look That up

heatt profile image
heatt

Its Mycobacterium intracellulare complex. Bacteria growing in the lungs.

sagittar profile image
sagittar in reply toheatt

Did you get a sputum test and what is your symptoms and color of you sputum. I want to get a sputum test too....to find out if I have any kind of bacteria causing my yellowish mucus daily...sometimes different color....but mostly yellow.

heatt profile image
heatt in reply tosagittar

Hi sagittar I did sputum tests but not very well, so they were confirmed by a bronchoscopy and the dr said there was yellow mucus in my lungs. . Get a sputum test done if you are concerned and have symptoms.Take care

kate1978 profile image
kate1978 in reply tosagittar

I only managed to get a tiny bit, greyish in colour, I had pneumonia in December and a ctscan in February showed there was some consolidation at the base of my lungs, so a week of doxycycline, but doctor wanted a sputum sample before I started on them

wheezyof profile image
wheezyof

Reading this thread makes me feel more normal. Most of the time I can and do shift the mucus from my chest. However sometimes it gets so thick and solid it's almost impossible to expel. Unfortunately this seems to be when I'm having a flare up. I do the huffing, double breathing, cough cycle - nothing! I drink plenty of fluids. I even tried carbocistine (sp?) but that made me very sick. I've got a flutter now to help vibrate the mucus loose. If anyone else has tips on producing samples when mucus gets like this please share.

Lynzilou profile image
Lynzilou in reply towheezyof

Hi

There is an alternative to carbosisteine - mucodyn? I think its called - have you tried that? I don't have a problem with carbosisteine, - it does thin the mucus down for me. I have a flutter which helps - but I didn't realise that at the end of the cycle of puffs, you have to take big breaths in, really fill your lungs, and blow out hard - into the flutter. I was taking the device away from my mouth and trying to do the "huffs". Blowing into the flutter seems to be better. I have a big problem with "huffing" I just can't seem to master the technique - have you had a physiotherapist to show you how to do it?

Regards

Lynne

wheezyof profile image
wheezyof in reply toLynzilou

Yes I was taught the huff n cough at pulmonary rehab. I'm getting used to the flutter but I've been told NOT to do a hard blow. (Different lung condition?)

Lynzilou profile image
Lynzilou in reply towheezyof

They have put me down for pulmonary rehab, I don't know when it will start, I;m looking forward to someone showing me exactly what to do. The instructions in the Flutter say to do the hard blow at the very end, BUT, they do say to do what your medical advisor has advised, even if its different because those instructions are just for you, so you have to go with that. I've got pulmonary fibrosis, and haven't yet been able to see anyone professional for help or advice. It's very frustrating.

wheezyof profile image
wheezyof in reply toLynzilou

I went to pulmonary rehab long before I got my flutter. I found the rehab very useful. x

Alfiebax2 profile image
Alfiebax2

Hi maybe you could ask your Gp for some tablets called carbocisteine .I had these in hospital and when i came home and they help to bring your muck up out of your lungs.Hope this helps .x

mskpjb profile image
mskpjb

I've nad COPD for 13/14 years and have never been able to provide a sputum sample yet ! Good luck, Sheila x

garibaldon profile image
garibaldon

My Doctor prescribed . Incruse Elliptum ( one inhalation per day) this medication loosens phlegm on the lungs enabling it to be coughed up readily... it dose work well.

Maximonkey profile image
Maximonkey

Hi Kate, I always have problems getting a sample too but I have discovered that if I blow into my peak flow meter (I need to take a reading when I am ill anyway) the phlegm loosens and is easier to bring up. If you do not use a peak flow then I am afraid the only way is to blow as hard as you can and that should have the same effect. Good luck and take care. Maximonkey

kate1978 profile image
kate1978 in reply toMaximonkey

Thanks for all of your replies, my ribs are aching today with the effort of trying to cough up a sample!

I took the sample in to the doctors this morning, a very tiny amount, not even enough to cover the bottom of the pot

I will mention all your suggestions next time I need to do a sample

normannippy profile image
normannippy

Try this Kate. Lie flat, take a deep breath in and hold it whilst counting to twelve, breathe out and breathe normally. Repeat 6 times. This works for me. Good luck

kate1978 profile image
kate1978 in reply tonormannippy

Thank you I will try that

Johnem profile image
Johnem

If you use a Ventolin inhaler, several extra inhalations will help to lift stubborn mucus when used before the Huff process.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Sputum sample

Hi I have bronchiectasis and the other day I had a very heavy cold and chest/lung pain. I put in a...
momiji profile image

Sputum sample

I have to take a sputum sample into the docs tomorrow before 11.30. I have difficulty producing...
pollyjj profile image

Sputum sample storage?

Small person is *finally* being seen by the RBH for the first time tomorrow (after a huge amount of...

Bronchiectasis sputum sample

Had a question for my gp today .Asked nhs111 about providing a sputum sample as I have...
Tinker26 profile image

Tips for sputum sample

Hi. Apologies in advance for a post in the too much information category. Can anyone give me some...

Moderation team

See all
AsthmaandLung profile image
AsthmaandLungAdministrator
Claire_ALUK profile image
Claire_ALUKAdministrator
moderator_AandLUK profile image
moderator_AandLUKAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.