Why can't I cough enough?!

I'm sure I'd be able to shift some of this gunk off my chest if only I could have a nice big cough, instead my coughs are pathetic and barely shift anything so I'm left feeling like I'm drowning in gunk. Any suggestions?

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Have you tried good old fashioned steam inhalations? When Ive had pneumonia in the past Ive found the cough has pretty much gone well before the gunk, and a hot bath or bowl of hot water would help loosen it. Id also find lots of little forced coughs would help it move better than trying to cough too hard. Hope this helps a bit, its horrid feeling gunky!

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Thank you for your reply Sparkly, no I haven't tried steam, I'm guessing head over a bowl of hot water with tea towel over the head lol? I'll give that a go tonight.

Yes I've been trying to do lots of coughs one after the other (sounds revolting and hubby keeps tutting at me!) But it still doesn't shift much and I just end up with a sore chest and very sob! Ventolin seems to help release a bit, but I've had loads today and still have this drowning feeling.

Thanks again

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I'm in this situation, been prescribed tea & more antibiotics. GP has said that tea should help loosen the mucus & crap. assume other hot drinks would work too?

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I'm happy trying lots of tea!

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i'm there too at the end of a cold - i tried steam yesterday, not sure how much it did though :-s

It's annoying me as well exactly what you describe, wanting to cough and get rid of gunk but it's just not working.

I don't like hot drinks so that's not an option hmmm

I'm sorry others are struggling but i'm glad it's not just me

[yaf_user681_30355]

If ever I get this when I have a cold or chest infection, i take my ventolin and a while after when it is working, I cup my hand and pat firmly my upper chest whilst trying to cough, like self administered physio. If it is ready to 'cough up' it will.

Edit: I can't do steam as one of my triggers.

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Thank you jinglefairy and jf

In glad I'm bot alone in this feeling! Shame we have to feel like this though.

I shall give that technique a go jf, as I too found that mu lungs don't like steam, ive never really noticed vefore, when I have a shower the extractor fan is on so the steam doesn't build up too bad, but sticking my head over a bowl of the stuff set my chest off big time!

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I'm sure I'd be able to shift some of this gunk off my chest if only I could have a nice big cough, instead my coughs are pathetic and barely shift anything so I'm left feeling like I'm drowning in gunk. Any suggestions?

Hi butterfly,

the respiratory specialist physios at Papworth dont recommend general coughing like most of us do, as a way of clearing sputum - its tiring and ineffective. They teach something called the active cycle of breathing technique and its really helpful, its what people with bronchiectasis use to clear their chests. Other things they say is the more hydrated you are, the thinner the mucous will be, so drink plenty of fluids, use relievers 10-15mins before doing the ACB technique and if need be consider saline nebules (after relievers) to loosen mucous before doing ACB technique (perhaps something to discuss with your treating team if its a persistent problem?).

Heres the papworth info about ACBT:

papworthhospital.nhs.uk/doc...

Years ago, long before I went to papworth, when my chest was badly congested the community physios used to give me postural drainage via referral from the GP. Its gross, but it does help! Not sure if thats an option these days.

Lynda

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Thank you for this nursefurby, I can't open the link on my phone so will have to look when my computer is back online.

As you suggested, I do drink plenty already, and it does help loosen it, I notice first thing in the morning I have a 'mucus straightjacket' on, then after my first coffee of the morning, it releases and rattles on my chest more like its become looser. I don't have a neb at home, but will ask the gp about saline, and about referal to physiotherapy as I usually do have this problem. However I'm trying to avoids visiting the gp this time, just trying to ride it out, I spend far too much time there and worry they think I'm a hyperchondriac especially as I usually get there and get told my chest is clear, plus I want to come off singulair which I can't do while my asthmas playing up.