Solutions for mucus removal

[Kristen48]

I have recently been hospitalised with severe pneumonia and sepsis . I am at home recovering now and am experiencing excessive mucus. Unfortunately I am unable to bring it up as I used to work on the men’s ward and one of my tasks was to go round with the sputum pots and then remove them and they had been used. As a result I automatically swallow the mucus back down. This has not enabled me to check it’s colour to see whether I still have an infection nor to send to the path lab to identify the type of bacteria causing my pneumonia infection. I have also been researching the cause of bacterial pneumonia and it would appear that mucus at the back of the throat may have provided a breeding ground For the infection.

I would appreciate any advice anyone can give with bringing up mucus, given that I swallow it before being able to do so. I drink plenty of water and wonder whether a flutter device or similar may help or even CPD oil.

I hope you are all enjoying the dancing sunbeams this Easter

[knitter]

Could you check with a health professional ....I know some devices say they shouldn't be used if you have certain conditions, such as coughing up blood.

Maybe you could be shown the huffing technique .

Warm drinks help me , as well as moving around as much as I can.

[Kristen48 in reply to knitter]

Many thanks knitter. I am beginning to move around a bit more but haven’t been moving much as I become exhausted very easily. I will try and have more hot drinks and discuss a referral to the respiratory team with my GP. Thanks again

[JANET127]

Yes, I have a flutter device and I think it helps a lot to bring up the deep mucus. I say they should sell us all one of those suction wands ..to suck it all out! Janet127

[Kristen48 in reply to JANET127]

Many thanks Janet127

[Oshgosh]

Hi,don’t know if you have an underlying condition. I have a nebulise and the respiratory team gave me an acapella.i. Think it works like a flutter,it does help.youre right about The mucus being a breeding ground for infection . I spit into. A tissue ir kitchen towel,this means I can check the colour.perhaps you r GP surgery could advise. Look after yourself.

[Kristen48]

Thanks for your helpful advice Oshkosh. I also have COPD and two incidents of unprovoked pulmonary embolisms in the past.

[Hidden]

Kristen48 I also have the same problem as you and haven't been shown how to get this up past my throat and not swallowing it. I'm in the middle of week 3 of antibiotics for another infection. Its driving me mad. I'm about to ask you if you hear anything about these devices mentioned could u let me know. I've got copd. Diagnosed in January this year. Will be seeing g my dr on Friday next and will be asking him too. Best wishes Mx

[Kristen48 in reply to Hidden]

I am sorry to hear that you are having problems too. My GP is calling me tomorrow to discuss my pneumonia recovery and I plan to ask for a referral to the respiratory team physiotherapist. I will let you know how I get on. I hope your doctor is also helpful.

[Hidden in reply to Kristen48]

Hi kristen48. Hope you are feeling a wee bit better today. Thank you for your reply. I look forward to hearing how and what your dr. Says. I cant so far get an appointment with pulmo rehab as waiting list is so long here. You take care today and speak soon Mx

[Kristen48 in reply to Hidden]

We have a Respiratory team in West Sussex for COPD. Comprises of respiratory nurses and respiratory physiotherapists. Maybe worth checking if you have something similar in your area. 😀

[Hidden in reply to Kristen48]

Thanks for reply. Yes we have a resp nurse at surgery but she only sees you once a year for spiromoter test and all other lung checks. Rest is left to doctor. I am seeing him on Friday 3rd may so will try and get some ans to questions. Not long enough appointments to go into everything. Keep well Mx

[Kristen48 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Dog12 my doctor was pleased with my recovery progress and reassured me that it will take time and I must pace myself. I told her that I had doubled my dose of Carbocisteine temporarily (with good effect) and she was okay with that. She is going to ask the respiratory nurse to give me a call to see whether she could suggest anything else to assist with mucus removal. I hope you are recovering well too? Cx

[Redrum46]

I had a lot of trouble last winter with a bad cough I was given carbocisteine thy thins mucus and made it easywe to cough it helped so mutch as I was having bad episodes of chocking trying to cough

[Kristen48 in reply to Redrum46]

I am also prescribed Carbocisteine and have increased my dose from one TDS to two three times a day . This has helped immensely and I plan to discuss what I have done with my GP.

[Hidden]

Thanks for keeping me updated on how your getting on good news for you at gp. And glad carbocysteine working. I'm seeing mine again on Friday will, ask if I can in

crease my dose. Glad yours is helping. Keep well and speak soon Mx

[Kristen48 in reply to Hidden]

I had a telephone conversation with my wrist spirit tree nurse and she has prescribed me the flat advice and suggested I buy some Beconase nasal drops in case I have guitar going down the back of my throat. We shall see what happens!

[Hidden]

Let me know how you go with them Mx

[Chestyblocked]

Are you taking Carbocistine it’s a medication to make the mucus easier to bring up