Mucus

[Dilly2]

Last few days I've woken up and almost choked on mucus in my airways thought it might be due to warmer weather. Does anyone else suffer with this problem

[Darceydoo]

Hi sometime certain foods produce more mucus.

[Candyred]

Hi Dilly2 I suffer terribly with this, I think last count I had 9 pillows .. as soon as I slip down them once I’m sleeping a choke it’s an awful feeling.. if I try to get the mucus up before I go to bed I feel exhausted! Try using more pillows see how you get on 😊

[Dilly2 in reply to Candyred]

Hi candyred nine pillows that's a lot. I have 3 but like you I slip down them when a sleep. You must do your chest clearance before you go to sleep. I find if I don't my oxygen levels drop it's a horrible task but if you don't you'll be more prone to chest infections take care.

[donewithasthma]

Yes, I have this and so far, my respirologist doesn't know what to do about it. Sometimes when I cough, mucous plugs come up. Sorry to be so graphic but I'm at a loss to know what to do about this other than drink orange juice which seems to cut it. I also have this in cold weather, too.

[Dilly2 in reply to donewithasthma]

Hi it's all very draining takes all your energy away. Try pineapple seems to care a cough best wishes

[HungryHufflepuff in reply to Dilly2]

That makes sense, apparently pineapple is an anti inflammatory. Good tip 👍 I must buy some juice 🍍

[Dilly2 in reply to HungryHufflepuff]

Hi hungryhufflepuff I didn't know pineapple was anti inflamatory good information

[Fayliz74]

I drink honey lemon and ginger. The lemon breaks the mucus and the honey is a natural anti-inflammatory. The ginger is an a added bonus but if I have a cold or a lot of mucus I drink this and it all batyral

[Dilly2 in reply to Fayliz74]

I'll try that sounds good

[mrblue12]

Get yourself a lung flute. They work wonders. I use mine once a week for ten reps. ( 20 reps is the standard.) I would recommend one to anyone that suffers from mucus build up. It says you have to change the reed every two weeks or so, but mine last me about 6 months each.

[Dilly2 in reply to mrblue12]

Hi mrblue never heard of a lung flute will check it out thank you.

[mnonchan]

Hello Dilly2 I have problem with mucus as well, nowadays when I sleep I o&ten wake up feeling mucus stuck in throat or something and make me feel breathless, it’s scary. I do neblizer once or twice a day and take a few medications for mucus. I am hoping to find some good tips for my mucus here too. It’s no fun to have mucus ...

[Sjf129903 in reply to mnonchan]

What medications do you use?

[mnonchan in reply to Sjf129903]

HelloSjf129903, I have been taking carbocycteine three times a day.

[Dilly2 in reply to mnonchan]

Hi mnonchan yes it's horrible but sorry I have no tips looking for help myself. When I'm clogged up with mucas my oxygen levels drop down so I know you must clear it of your chest no matter how exhausting it is take care

[mnonchan in reply to Dilly2]

I am same, when mucus is stuck my oxygen is low and I need to higher my oxygen even so I suffer so much I can’t do anything , it’s terrible especially in the morning , hard to eat too. Yes I agree we have to clear it , you take care too dear.

[Paulabpa]

I found out it was my inhalers causing the problem,changed them and the mucus went 👍

[Bella395]

It is possible that you need to pay more attention to your mucous clearance. Last thing at night might help. As has been said, look at getting a device to assist you with this e.g. Flutter, Aerosure, Acapella. See the physiotherapist for instruction on Active Cycle Breathing and possibly Autogenic Drainage.

Mucolytics might help e.g. Carbocysteine. A nebulizer with saline in the pot would be useful as it will moisten the airways and make the mucous thinner. The doctor can prescribe normal saline. Hypertonic saline is effective but this needs to be prescribed by the respiratory doctor because a test dose needs to be given at the hospital. Some people find an expectorant helps.

You need to be proactive to find ways of clearing your airways regularly. By the time you are feeling that you need to clear it is a bit late - need to keep on top of it if possible.

[Dilly2 in reply to Bella395]

Hi Bella 395. I've got nearly all you it helps cough it up but it doesn't get rid I'm beginning to think it's part and parcel of the illness we all have. Take care

[Bella395 in reply to Dilly2]

I hope that you find a solution to this. Have you tried hypertonic saline? The only other thing I can think of is the Smart Vest. Trouble is, they are expensive. Also, compliance is key to successful use. My OH has one and it has been very good indeed. From back to back infections he hasn't had one since starting using it four months ago. I just hope it continues.

[Darceydoo in reply to Bella395]

Hi where would one buy a Smart Vest?

Thank you.

[Bella395 in reply to Darceydoo]

I am only aware of Hill-Rom in the UK. There may be more so do some research if interested. There are different makes available in the USA.

[HungryHufflepuff]

I’ve been reading a few of the older conversations about mucus and a few people said you need quite a lot of puff for the flutter to work. Is this so, and does it apply to all devices, like the lung flute too? I had been looking at flutter device etc but then read about them not working without enough puff. My peak flow is 160 at best.

[mrblue12 in reply to HungryHufflepuff]

I've used both the flutter and a lung flute. In my opinion, the flute is much better. The flutter does require quite a lot of puff to work, much more than the flute at least. What's more, the flutter shouldn't be used if you have problems with the right side of your heart. (Something which many people with excess mucus production will have.)

I used to have to use my flutter every few days. After using the lung flute, I once went five weeks.

[HungryHufflepuff in reply to mrblue12]

Thanks, that’s really helpful. 👍

[Darceydoo in reply to mrblue12]

Hi where would one buy the lung flute?

Thank you.

[B0xermad]

Hi I suffer with this you can buy a GERD pillow to help or adjustable bed and sit more upright overnight . I use a device called acapella to clear mine away every morning to keep bacteria from causing an infection.

[Patches2 in reply to B0xermad]

I was very interested in your reply about the Gerd Pillow. I have never heard of this. Could you please tell me where to purchase it. Many thanks.

[B0xermad in reply to Patches2]

Amazon orthologics pillow wedge £36

[HungryHufflepuff in reply to B0xermad]

I just ordered a GERD pillow. I’ve been looking at one for ages but kept thinking I’ll make do with my numerous pillows that allow me to sleep sitting up. But I just can not get comfortable nor breathe well and am sleeping worse than ever so I decided I need to try this pillow to see if it helps.

[HungryHufflepuff in reply to B0xermad]

My pillow arrived yesterday. I think I was expecting miracles and 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep so I was a little disappointed to still wake up in the middle of the night. But I did sleep for longer than I have been. That has to be a good thing.

[B0xermad in reply to HungryHufflepuff]

Give it a week hopefully progress will be made

[HungryHufflepuff in reply to B0xermad]

Thanks. Hopefully so. In fact I’m sure things are better already after just one night. 😴

[Dilly2 in reply to B0xermad]

Thank you will check it out

[Yarnaddicted]

Hi Dilly2

I also suffer with the terrible mucus and find it exhausting to get up. But I’ve now found that if I do several deep ‘Huffs’ before attempting to dislodge the mucus it clears much quicker and easier.

I hope you manage to find a technique that helps you.

Best wishes

Veganista xx

[Dilly2 in reply to Yarnaddicted]

Hi veganista thanks for your advice will give it ago few more huffing and puffing take care

[Sjf129903]

Is the mucus coming from your lungs or sinuses you may be getting a infection or allergies make sure your treating the right thing

[Dilly2 in reply to Sjf129903]

From my lungs doctors sent a sputan sample away and it was clear of infection thanks take care

[shouty]

Dairy products increase mucus too I am trying to cut back on it. On Carbostistene as well

[pete45]

I wake up every morning to what i call a Niagara Falls event with nasal drain, mucus, coughing for about 15 minutes. It seems to have become the norm for me and while I don't like it, I have learned to deal with it and have accepted that it is part of my COPD problem. For the most part i have fine the rest of the day.

[Dilly2 in reply to pete45]

Hi pete45 I agree with you part of the course take care

[donewithasthma in reply to pete45]

This sounds like me every morning without fail but my respirologist claims I don't have COPD - asthma only. Maybe it's a positional thing because once I'm up only the mucous plugs are bothersome during the day.

[mellyme]

If it is the heat, hoping you get relief soon. Dairy def makes it so much worse for me. Let us know if it clears soon.

[Dilly2 in reply to mellyme]

Thanks mellyme I do think the heat makes it worse. Part of the course take care

[hallentine47]

Hi Dilly. I think it must be just a symptom of our COPD Emphysema because some days I get this and some days I am free of it and then on other days half way through a clear day it all starts up. Could be food, weather, tiredness. Hopefully it will pass for you as it does for me.

[Dilly2 in reply to hallentine47]

Thanks hallentine47 I think your right all part of our illness take care

[Stumpy55]

Hello dilly, I have a lot of mucus which use to be hard to cough up, but since I was put on Carbasisteen capsules that I take four times a day, my chest feels a lot better. It's not medication that agrees with all copd patients but it works for me , So maybe have a chat with your doctor about it? Take care ✋️😉xx

[Candyred]

Hi Dilly2 I also suffer from this and believe me I know how frightening it is to be woken up out a sleep and choking from the mucus stuck .. I find it exhausting to try to get it up! .. then I’m scared to go back to sleep .. I do sleep with loads of pillows (9 I think my last count) as I prefer to sleep up right .. I know there is tablets you can get from your doctor to help.. x

[HungryHufflepuff]

I’m sure this is going to be a stupid question but, are mucus, phlegm and sputum different words for the same thing?

[Dilly2 in reply to HungryHufflepuff]

Hi yes I'm sure it's the same thing shall have to check it out

Good question