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phlegm

ibecarolita profile image
35 Replies

Hi everyone - I am stage 3/4 - 32% lung capacity. No oxygen. I had my first scare with an exacerbation that lead to my first ambulance ride. I am struggling with phlem that is stuck. I'm trying everything and cannot get this glue like phlem to cough up. On prednisone, NAC, Humidifier, albut. neutralizer,flutter valve, hot water with lemon, mucinex.

ACK!! I cant stand this! My O2 is all over the place. ranging from 84-93

Any other suggestions?

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ibecarolita profile image
ibecarolita
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35 Replies
mrsmummy profile image
mrsmummy

Hi, have you tried the huff cough? You can read about it here copdforum.portalone.us/topi... and see demonstrations on YouTube. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water.

ibecarolita profile image
ibecarolita in reply tomrsmummy

Hi mrsmummy - thank you for your reply. I am trying the huff cough, but everytime I do it the phlem gets stuck in my throat and my o2 starts to drop to around 82 and I feel like I'm suffocating :(

mrsmummy profile image
mrsmummy

Try this:

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

ibecarolita profile image
ibecarolita in reply tomrsmummy

Thank you! I will try that

mrsmummy profile image
mrsmummy

Why not give the BLF nurses a ring tomorrow for advice? The number is 03000 030 555 and they are there during office hours.

ibecarolita profile image
ibecarolita in reply tomrsmummy

Thanks - but I'm in the US. I post here because this is the more helpful forum.

ibecarolita profile image
ibecarolita in reply toibecarolita

I have an appointment with my doctor on Tuesday.

mrsmummy profile image
mrsmummy in reply toibecarolita

I hope he is able to help. :)

ibecarolita profile image
ibecarolita in reply tomrsmummy

Thank you so much for your help - breath well my friend. :)

jlc72 profile image
jlc72 in reply toibecarolita

Besides Carbocisteine drink plenty of water

Ramy22 profile image
Ramy22

Have you tried carbocisteine capsules? They may do the trick! Get well soon!

ibecarolita profile image
ibecarolita in reply toRamy22

I haven not - I will ask my doctor about it tomorrow when I see her - thank you for the advice

Ramy22 profile image
Ramy22 in reply toibecarolita

I hope you can give them a go!

Leemose profile image
Leemose

i found blowing bubbles very helpful also if you haven't yet tossed smoking please do i dont get phlem very often at all now its great as it really is hard to shift. The bubble blowing forces it up where its easier to cough up please try this simple act hopefully it helps you

ibecarolita profile image
ibecarolita in reply toLeemose

Thanks for the advice - I have tried that - but it seems to work better when I'm not in a full blown exacerbation. I dont smoke. I tossed that poison 5 years ago.

Christabella153 profile image
Christabella153

i have Carbosisteine tabs (Mucroyn) which breaks the phelgm into easier pieces so can cough it up easier do get harder times so take extra tabs for a few days. Hope you can get something to thin the phelgm it can be heart wrenching to clear at times XC

donut43 profile image
donut43

A big problem. you have got a lot of ideas already. Get your GP to put you in touch with a RESP team, Contact the help line BLF, see the breathing methods with the huff technique. Find out about the aquapella which is a good help. mrsmummy's suggestion is excellent of course, and all of us will have many ideas to help you.

Dan

Lynzilou profile image
Lynzilou

Some very good ideas on here for you. The huffing is the most important, and it's quite involved, to do the breathing beforehand, but very important, and worth persevering with. Also yes, water, water, water, and I personally find carbosisteine good. Good Luck

Regards

Lynne

tjlabey profile image
tjlabey in reply toLynzilou

sparkling water helps me...like an Izzie or some such fruit infused **carbonated** derink.

treesie profile image
treesie

Maybe your pulmonologist can recommend an airway clearance vest to shake the phlegm up.

Stumpy55 profile image
Stumpy55

Hello ibecarolita, I know exactly how you are feeling because I have stage 4 Emphaseama in both lungs and 13% lung capacity and like you have had excaserbation and ended up in hospital which is very scary when you are desperately trying to breath. I also have bronchiectusis and coughing up a load of white sticky phlegm . But since taking Carbasisteen capsules it does brake it up and easier to get off your chest. If I were you I would mention this medication to your G.P. 🤒 please let us know how you get on? Take care 🤤

ibecarolita profile image
ibecarolita in reply toStumpy55

Thank you Stumpy - I def will ask my pulm. doc tomorrow when I see her.

Alfiebax2 profile image
Alfiebax2

Maybe you could ask your doctor about a tablet called Carbocisteine.It helps loosen the phlegm and cataarh so you can bring it up .Good luck .x

ibecarolita profile image
ibecarolita in reply toAlfiebax2

I'm wondering if this is something that is available in the US? That's where I'm at. I hang in this forum because this is the most helpful and informative forum ;-)

Posative profile image
Posative in reply toibecarolita

I agree I use Carbocisteine and it does work good luck or maybe you could buy them from manufacturers

Alfiebax2 profile image
Alfiebax2

I don't know honey if it's available in the US it could be under another name , ask your doctor or maybe a pharmacist .Good luck .xx

ibecarolita profile image
ibecarolita in reply toAlfiebax2

Thank you

Alfiebax2 profile image
Alfiebax2

You are welcome 🤗

Michele-Cat profile image
Michele-Cat

I have emphysema and my health status is very similar to yours. I agree with the suggestion of carbocisteine. I take two 375mg capsules every day, but when I have an exacerbation or phlegm is hard to shift after an infection, I increase the dose to 4-6 capsules per day. Sometimes I feel as though my throat is coated with thick phlegm and I've found that gargling with warm water helps clear it.

Hope you get the help you need at your appointment tomorrow.

ibecarolita profile image
ibecarolita in reply toMichele-Cat

Thank you for your reply Michele-Cat. I also feel the phlegm in my throat and upper airway. I will try gargling more with warm water and salt. Thanks again.

Christabella153 profile image
Christabella153

Carbocisteine not available in USA very expensive if could be bought online best to ask doctor/nurse etc what is available instead XC

ibecarolita profile image
ibecarolita in reply toChristabella153

Thank yu Christabella153

Ramy22 profile image
Ramy22 in reply toChristabella153

That’s a real shame!

Ramy22 profile image
Ramy22 in reply toChristabella153

That’s a real shame.

Ramy22 profile image
Ramy22

If it isn’t then it should be!

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