Just wondering what clearance techniques everyone uses? I seem to be waking at 4am every night and feel extremely “full” It takes me a couple of hours to huff & puff to clear everything. Does anyone else struggle to sleep due to clearance issues? Does anyone use devices or physio? I am stage 4 COPD FEV1 23%
Thanks everyone
Lynne xx
My COPD (emphysema) is only mild to moderate, but some nights I have the same experience as you. I try to keep lungs clear, but this still happens. It is mostly in the winter months where I am often cough more and produce more mucous in general.
Hi flicky1, thanks for replying. I wonder if the dry air in the winter contributes...? I do have a humidifier but it doesn’t seem to help much. I do the same as you, try to clear my lungs before bed but there’s often not much there... until 4am!
Guess we need to look forward to warmer weather 😊
Stay safe x
Hi Lynne, there is a selection of devices available to help loosen mucus under the general name of flutter devices. The prices vary but they can be prescribed by a GP. Medication such as carbocistine along with saline nebuliser can be used. One of the options is to use the huffing breathing technique, a physio can demonstrate or there is plenty of info on the internet and YouTube. I personally have aspergillosis and COPD I have carbocistine, saline nebuliser and huffing. Also I have to sleep in a semi sitting position as if I’m lying down I end up waking up coughing and spluttering
Hi Biker88, I’ll praps call my physio & see if she recommends a flutter device for me. She mentioned the carbocistine last time I spoke to her but she didn’t seem to think it would help me. I do the huffing technique & have tried saline.... maybe I need to revisit that.Thanks for your advice 😊
Sorry to ask another question!... I’ve just spoken to my Copd nurse & she’s recommended the carbocistine. Do you find it dries your lungs out?
carbocistine works well for me (thank you to my breathe team I was struggling at 2am...4am...and 6 am) ..... hardly any mucus now...I started on 2 tabs 3x.s a day then after a week I went down to 1 tab 3x's a day. Together with Trimbow also new to me from my breathe team are working v well.
Thanks Pushkins! That’s great news for you! I’ve been prescribed it now. Just in hospital at the minute unfortunately with an exacerbation or something 🤷♀️Checking for blood clots & heart function & goodness knows what else. Hopefully it will have been delivered by the time I get home 🤞
Try propping the top of your bed up under the legs? Stops mucus pooling
Hi Greenfingers, that’s a good idea. I have a V pillow & I’m pretty propped up but that would help 😊
Thank you Nalakrats for all this information. I’ll run it by my Copd team and hopefully they’ll approve some or all of it for me 😊
Thank you, I’ll take a look 😊
I use the Active Cycle of Breathing Technique morning and night, which I was taught at Pulmonary Respiration classes. Unlike just about everybody else I was told to sleep with the minimum no. of pillows, so that the mucus would not sink to the bottom of the lungs. I also use an Aerbika and Carbocisteine. Good luck. I hope you find something that works for you.
Thank you Alberta56. To be fair I’ve slept on 2 flattish pillows for ages & been fine. Then all change as it can with our lungs 🙄 I also do the same breathing technique as you but there never seems to be anything to huff at night....until 4am! I’m hoping thecarbocisteine works 🤞
You do have a puzzle to get to the bottom of. Perhaps someone else's suggestions would work for you. Sorry you're not well ay the moment. I hope the hospital staff can sort you out pdq. Best wishes, Alberta
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