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Bad phlegm

Iain1962 profile image
11 Replies

Hi again folks need advise please when should one seek medical attention phlegm’s getting really like the consistency of contact adhesive really struggling to bring it up and breathings getting more and more difficult thanks

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Iain1962 profile image
Iain1962
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11 Replies
RibvanRey profile image
RibvanRey

You should contact your doctor or respiratory nurse if your sputum changes colour. Greens and browns in particular indicate infection. If you notice blood in the sputum. Especially dark blood. Bright red blood is likely to be from straining your throat.

HTH. Regards, Rib

skybluepink profile image
skybluepink in reply toRibvanRey

Funny my Surgery have said don't deal with cardiac or respiratory when holding back diagnosis causing heart failure & lipo -lymphoedema stage 2 too ??And me to change surgery numerous times as my health & safety are at risk re antibiotic connection . Could it be a good omen as infection is not sitting on your chest causing wheezing as having acupuncture , homeopathy & reflexology? This is via the MS Therapy Centre that takes Associated conditions self funded for their pressurised oxygen chamber .NB How pharmacies & surgeries behave when antibiotic is needed - surely it should be immediately not a week later when dosset box delivery happens ?

Llgr profile image
Llgr

I would definitely contact the doctor. If you can't breathe very well then there's something not quite right. It's better to be more cautious than not so it can be caught before your breathing gets worse and you're really in trouble.

gingermusic profile image
gingermusic

I was always led to believe we should start antibiotic immediately if phlegm was a dark colour as that indicated a chest infection, but I have called out my pulmonary nurse twice this year due to an increase in normal coloured phlegm but plagued with a cough and each time been given antibiotic as they have heard a crackle on my lung. So yes definitely see your GP or pulmonary nurse.

btown profile image
btown

Hi Iain, now is the time to contact your doctor, I had the same problem and was given Carbocisitine and wow dose it work, no more phlegm, good luck.

T👍👍

toerag profile image
toerag in reply tobtown

Erdotin is a stronger form of Carbocysteine / Mucodyne. It is given as a 1 week course only

jacqui7 profile image
jacqui7

i drink juice from fresh lemons in warm water, and gargle with salt water hardly ever get phlegm. even with infection i get very little. over a year between infections, usually get from thoughtless people coughing without covering move and nose. good luck

starskyd profile image
starskyd

you need to get to the gp now. Sounds like a chest infection and you need steriids and antibiotics.

Alfiebax2 profile image
Alfiebax2

Ask your doctor if you can have carbocisteine tablets as these help with mucus .The hospital gave them to me when I was admitted last August and they work a treat.Good luck .Babs xx

peege profile image
peege

This is what I do if I suspect an infection, call the doc and ask for a GP to give a quick listen to my lungs to confirm or not an infection. A doctor calls back within the hour to check I'm not swinging the lead, I remind that I've asthma and bronchiectasis and they put me in for same day appointment. Better to be safe than sorry. Don't hesitate to call - especially if you feel unwell too. P

Grayjay profile image
Grayjay

Don't forget to drink plenty of fluids, water being the best.

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