Choking: Hi can anyone help me with the... - Lung Conditions C...

Lung Conditions Community Forum

56,331 members66,949 posts

Choking

40 Replies

Hi can anyone help me with the best thing to do when I am coughing the phlem is so thick and is sticking in my airways and won't let me breath back this is extremely verifying I feel like I am going to die I go into a panic which makes the situation worse I start getting really tired I am already on nicotine does anyone know of something else I could take to help break up the plem

40 Replies

The word Nicolette should be carbosisteine sorry

DaisyEric profile image
DaisyEric

Drink plenty? I find it terrifying when it's mostly up, but you can't get it up that last bit. I drink as close as i can to 3 litres a day and it does help a bit I think. Otherwise a chat to the Dr might be needed ((())) xxx

in reply toDaisyEric

Thank you

Have you tried increasing your fluid intake?

in reply to

I do find it hard to drink water can you drink any fluid

in reply to

Yes, any fluid, but I find milky things nzkd me cough more.

in reply to

Thank yo

soulsaver profile image
soulsaver

Drink lots more water, try steaming, talk to yr dr. Best wishes

in reply tosoulsaver

Thank you

Ragrug profile image
Ragrug

Drink more water to thin the phlegm down..lots of water.

in reply toRagrug

Thank you

Biker88 profile image
Biker88

Have you tried the breathing technique ‘huffing’ and the active cycle of breathing, plenty of info on the net and YouTube. Also nebulise saline solution this can help loosen mucus.

in reply toBiker88

Thank you

For a quick fix when you think you are totally blocked up you can't beat the old fashion Vic in a bowl of hot water towel over your head, deep breaths (or as deep as you can past the blockage). Fisherman's friend can still play a part too. All in addition to your prescribed medication of course.

in reply to

Thank you for that will give it a try

Marlsboy profile image
Marlsboy

I have the same problem but cannot take Carbosistein. Salt helps, either nebulised or an old fashioned salt pipe. Vicks also, either just breathed from a tissue or in steam from hot water. Pineapple is supposed to be a natural mucous thinner so I also have a glass of juice every day (I'm not a fan of water and there's a limit to how much I can drink in a day). I recently got a humidifier as I'm sure the 'dry air' from central heating doesn't help, and I run it on high for just about an hour a day. That seems to help but you get a lot of condensation on the windows

🤣. Fresh air also seems to help and even if I just stick my head out of the window for 10 mins it does seem to loosen up my chest. Basically throw everything at it and see which works for you, but not all at once or you won't know which is doing the job. Good luck

in reply toMarlsboy

Thanks very much will try it all

Masteryoda profile image
Masteryoda

You desperately need antibiotics.

in reply toMasteryoda

I do find antibiotics do help but as soon as they are finished it just comes back

Tugun profile image
Tugun in reply to

Hi,

If antibiotics help and then it just comes back, it sounds like you may need more or a different type. When taking antibiotics you also need to be taking probiotics as the antibiotics also kill good gut bacteria so you need to replace the good gut bacteria. Improving your immune system with vitamins or herbs may also help but the advice given by others here regarding loosening phlegm should help.

in reply toTugun

Thank you for that

LissacFrance profile image
LissacFrance in reply to

Not sure what your illness is but my wife, who has bronchiectasis, is often blocked and struggling to cough up the gunge. Re antibiotics, she is following antibio therapy of Azithromycin 3 times per week as well as physio 3 times per week. {erhaps a change in your treatment is the order of the day. Best wishes and good luck.

MSMichaela1966 profile image
MSMichaela1966

It's horrid to have this I'm also on carbocisteine but the tablets or liquid doesn't help me at all, I find drinking a strong black coffee with a dollop of honey helps me. I would also recommend antibiotics too.

Get well soon 💐

in reply toMSMichaela1966

I will try that thanks

pegbl profile image
pegbl in reply to

I agree plenty of fluid I don't like water so I add a bit of black currant juice to it only a weak version but I can get it down better than plain water xxx

MoyB profile image
MoyB

I'll be interested to hear if you find something that helps you.

I also have a problem with phlegm sticking in my airways and have recently been prescribed carbosisteine for it which, I think, is helping a bit. Most of the time I am ok, then quite suddenly, I will get a bit of phlegm stuck and, although at the moment it's only a little bit the size of a finger nail, it's enough to choke me and on occasions, requires a good thump on the back from my husband to shift it.

Until recently, I was coughing up much looser phlegm and copious ammounts of it. Since having clarythromicin for a week (after already having 2 weeks amoxycilin and 2 weeks doxycicline) my phlegm has been clear or pure white. My peak flow has increased from 180 - 200 (my norm) to 240 - 260 (last recorded over 5 years ago!). However, this new white phlegm sticks like glue.

I know what you mean about it being terrifying.

xx Moy

in reply toMoyB

Sorry to hear you are the same I know how frightening it feels not to be able to breath while coughing I get so panicked if I find any real cure I will let you know

MoyB profile image
MoyB in reply to

😄

royvax profile image
royvax

ask if you can have amoxociline its a steroid and works for me when i have a flare up

PurpleAlf profile image
PurpleAlf in reply toroyvax

Isn’t amoxociline an antibiotic, not a steroid?

in reply toPurpleAlf

Yes amoxociline is an antibiotic

Megan321 profile image
Megan321

Nebulizing twice a day, 7 percent saline..proper airway clearance is so important..drink as much water as you can to thin the mucous..exercise do helps to bring it up..aeribika twice a day.

in reply toMegan321

Thanks I will try that

Darceydoo profile image
Darceydoo

Oh no I know how you feel. I was diagnosed with Suppurative Inflammation of the lungs which was the cause of my overproduction of phlegm.

Dilly2 profile image
Dilly2

Ask your doctor for carbocisteine should help slot x

Alberta56 profile image
Alberta56

Hi Charlie. You need to talk to your doc. Stronger antibiotics seem necessary, or a different one- some work better for one person than another. Also I would suggest a respiratory therapist might help. Hope you find a solution. Not being able to breathe is terrifying.

in reply toAlberta56

Thank you

Lfcpremier profile image
Lfcpremier

Ask your GP if you can nebulise 7% saline twice daily.It may help to shift it. Sometimes I know it feels like concrete. So horrible! Good luck!

Patk1 profile image
Patk1

Hiya.i frequently have this prob,as bronchiectasis produces thick mucous.as already said re fluids + carbocysteine,i wld suggest at least 2-3 x day, make time to use technique to clear yr lungs,b4 it congeals. Try not to panic,just continue to attempt to get it up.it is tough.

in reply toPatk1

Thank you for your reply

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

choking

Me again lol ok for mths now I get food going into my lung I have stopped eating dried foods due to...
taffydaffy profile image

Choking!

I have COPD and often find myself 'choking' this happens frequently, not just eating or drinking,...
Is4bell4 profile image

waking up choking & breathless

OMG what a morning I had 6.30 am WOKE up choking on phlegm could not catch me breath or even walk...

Very sore lungs after choking

I had an acute choking episode yesterday, and although I coughed really hard for around half an...
Scranged profile image

How to get some sleep?

I am exhausted, I am struggling to find a position for sleeping . I’ve tried all ways but The...
Mama-bear60 profile image

Moderation team

See all
AsthmaandLung profile image
AsthmaandLungAdministrator
moderator_AandLUK profile image
moderator_AandLUKAdministrator
Claire_ALUK profile image
Claire_ALUKAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.