Ugly phlegm

[m0bnd]

Hope you’ve all eaten before you see this....

But is this ‘normal’ for asthma?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Andy.

[Dilly2]

Yuck don't look good

[m0bnd in reply to Dilly2]

No, I know! I have had lots of this, this is what builds up and causes my wheezing. If I can cough this up my wheezing goes! Unfortunately, I think this is an infection which gets to my lungs and causes the asthmatic symptoms.

Thanks Dilly2.

[Dilly2 in reply to m0bnd]

Hi m0bnd. I think you should get you resperatry team to give you a little pot so you can cough into and then they can send it of for testing good luck

[m0bnd in reply to Dilly2]

Hi Dilly.

Thanks for the reply. I have an appointment this Friday with them so I’ll ask then.

[Pwkav1]

No dont look too good youneed to give a sputum test in to be cultured to your GP. They will let you know results. Good luck. Karen. Xxx

[m0bnd in reply to Pwkav1]

Thanks Karen, I’ll see if I can get a couple of pots to hold at home or take to work.

Andy.

[Oshgosh]

Doesn’t look good.get a sputum pot,put your name on it and take it to the surgery.i have one in reserve,so that I can show them what my sputum is like

[m0bnd in reply to Oshgosh]

Thanks for that reply. I’ve had sputum pots before but I never hear about what the results are.

I will ask for a couple as today, I have coughed another, very similar ‘lump’ up.

Andy.

[Pwkav1]

I regularly get back a bug called haemophillus influenzae from my result hence being on azithromycin antibiotics for 9 months only the hospital can put you on. Due to come off them next month with the hope its gone. Good luck with yours. Karen xxx

[m0bnd in reply to Pwkav1]

Just read about HiB, not nice. Not sure whether that’s my current issue but may mention this on Friday in my appointment with the ‘respiratory consultant expert’.

Thanks again, Andy.

[Pwkav1]

Could be one of many bugs Andy. I wish you well. Karen Xxx

[ssafa]

Hi I agree with the suggestion that you hand in a sample at your GPs . I have always got a sample pot at home.

[Jacmidlands]

I agree that you should make sure that your sputum is tested. Also ask them to test for aspergillosis since mucus plugs are common in ABPA. Good luck!

[m0bnd in reply to Jacmidlands]

Thanks Jackmidlands.

These ‘plugs’ are what make my breathing worse, my cycle is very regular and has been for the last 4 years +!

I have looked up ABPA and every time I’ve been in hospital, either A and E or for routine appointment, they’ve checked my immune system. ‘They’ say it’s low, my doctor says it’s ‘normal’ and that they may be looking for a high immunity reaction in my body for an infection, so that may concern the respiratory ‘experts’. I still think that this is an allergic thing and not an asthmatic thing, what do I know?! I’ve been stuck in this now for well over 4 years and all they can come up with is ‘asthma’.

In a minute I’ll stop going and wait until I’m at deaths door and then, they may look at me more.

I have ‘normal P+C ANCA’ too. I’m frustrated to bits, they say I’m in ‘denial’ with the whole asthma thing. Really not sure how to proceed any more.

Also, I’ve just done 2 weeks peak flow testing for OH, what a pain in the backside that was! Haha.

Thanks again. Andy.

[Jacmidlands in reply to m0bnd]

It is very frustrating but there is a lack of knowledge in the medical profession regarding Abpa since it is uncommon. Have you had a blood test for ige? That would be a start. There are more tests for Aspergillus precipitins but they are very specialised. What does your respiratory consultant say?

[m0bnd in reply to Jacmidlands]

Immuno globin esnophils or something like that? Yes many, they keep saying I have low immune levels, which, my doctor says, are ‘normal’ due to the fact I may not be fighting an infection. I don’t understand why one is concerned and the other is not!

[m0bnd]

I had my last appointment with my ‘expert’ Respiratory consultant, I asked if I have asthma? She said they don’t know! I asked about the phlegm and showed her a photo, to which she just dismissed this as ‘plug phlegm’!!! I’m getting rathe pi55ed off with it all now.

Docs appointment tomorrow, waited 2 weeks to get it, I’m looking for a possible referral and/or second opinion. Just not happy any more, I’m just going round in circles 😡.

Thanks for all your replies/responses.

Andy.

[Hidden]

Nope as I have it similar when I suffering with a bad cold plus asthma

[Jacmidlands]

Try to get a referral to a respiratory consultant at your local hospital.

[m0bnd in reply to Jacmidlands]

Hi, thanks for reply.

One of my last comments describes a respiratory consultant (at my local hospital) reaction to my photos of this. Can’t say I’m best pleased.

Thanks again.

Andy.

[Jacmidlands]

Oops! Just seen your previous comment. I think you are entitled to ask for a second opinion.

[m0bnd]

I had docs appointment last night. He also confirms, in his words that what I have is a ‘cast’ and indicative of asthma.

He also confirmed I had a ‘eosinophil’ count of 1.8 which is 3 times higher than it should be. Indicating an allergic reaction.

I am now going private for a second opinion. Totally goes against all my beliefs of the private system but I think that, 4 years and counting is enough to still have no confirmed diagnosis, or treatment to go on.

Thanks for all the replies here.

Andy.

[Jacmidlands]

Good luck!

[Hidden]

hey.

I have exactly the same thing. It is so difficult to cough these up and it is so frustrating to feel that there is something in the airways.

I cough such things probably once a week or so. Today, I coughed one up again, it had some blood in it.

I am having this issue for probably 3-4 years now, from time to time I get concerned and try to google what the f that is, but I can't find any answers, it seems this is pretty rare.

I found your post, read the comments. Since the post is ~2y old, have you had any updates on this?

Perhaps you got some kind of diagnosis and treatment for it?

Also, are you a smoker?

[m0bnd in reply to Hidden]

Hi. Still ongoing at the moment! Never smoked, only passively!

Have been diagnosed with asthma and recently I have ‘seen’ another expert from London who says I don’t have asthma!

I’ve been pretty good in the last year and not had lumps like this for a while.