Mucus

[hippo32skin]

For about a year I have been getting mucus up from my lungs 24/7 yes 24/7 during the night and the day time and its very thick and always yellow, I have had loads of antibiotics and none of them have worked, its getting embarrassing as sometimes I have to get off the bus to spit it out, has anybody got any ideas as all else has failed. Thank you

[Toci]

A friend had a similar problem and made sure she cleared as much mucous as possible before going out in the afternoon, as she always found it was slightly worse in the mornings. Other than that I cannot be of any help I am afraid.

[hippo32skin in reply to Toci]

Thank you for your reply, but this is very bad I cant understand my xrays show no infection at all on my chest, im actually chocking at night in my sleep with it.

Good health to you thank you Steve

[Toci in reply to hippo32skin]

Why not ring the BLF helpline and chat to the nurses there? They are very knowledgeable about respiratory illnesses. They are open office hours so you should catch them today. 03000 030 555

[cofdrop-UK]

What lung condition do you have hippo?

cx

[hippo32skin in reply to cofdrop-UK]

Asthma, diabetes, also just found out I have a irregular heartbeat waiting to go for a angiogram, but I have had asthma since I was 7 I am now 63 but I have never be for had this phlegm in my lungs like this and the time it has been there a year, I cant understand how the body can find room for all of this its never ending and I have not got a cold or any infection on my chest I am coughing it up at this very moment.

Thank you very much for your concern

yours faithfully Steve

[Hidden in reply to hippo32skin]

Have you seen a lung specialist? I suggest that you get a proper diagnosis. This amount of phlem means an underlying infection and perhaps a lung condition which is not being aknowledged and dealt with properly. I do have to tell you that no matter how much antibiotic you take, if mucous is allowed to stay down there the microbes will simply keep multiplying and making more mucous. It is a case of spending quite a bit of time at several points in the day, making the gunk come up until you feel clear. Coughing it up in bits all day just doesn't do the job.

[hippo32skin in reply to Hidden]

IT mostly comes up in big quantities this what I cant understand how my body is making so much in so little time, and the little bits I get up after the big ones are like balls of glue they are very sticky, I have always asked my doctors for some kind of medicine to get this up as I can breath ten times better if I could clear my lungs of this I just end up on different antibiotics which do me no good.

Thank you for your kind advice

[Hidden in reply to hippo32skin]

I do tend to agree with those who think that you may have undiagnosed bronchiectasis. Your GP cannot diagnose it. You need a specialist in bronchiectasis and CT scan to diagnose it. It also seems that there hasn't been a proper lab test to isolate the bacteria so that you can have the correct antibiotic. You will be so much more comfortable if your condition is properly diagnosed and you get the right treatment, physio advice or pulmonary rehab to deal with it. Because of the nature of my bronchiectasis I have a lot of gunk, whether well or ill. I am mostly able to live to a routine which suits me, not it, by a programme of the right drugs and regular drainage. Horrible, tiring but the only way to get any quality of life. Good luck. I'm sure you will get there.

[hippo32skin in reply to Hidden]

Thank you very much.

[Hidden]

Someone will see your post soon and will talk with you...Most the time we just need someone to talk with.

There lots of people who are like yourself on here who will be happy to offer you advice

Andy.

[hippo32skin]

Cheers Andy.

[cofdrop-UK]

Hi Steve

Has your GP ever sent in a sputum sample before giving you antibiotics? I would be inclined to ask the GP to refer you to a respiratory consultant or if you have one for your asthma then you might want to ask for an earlier appointment.

Let us know how you get on.

Love cx

[hippo32skin]

Yes he has sent a sample away about 6 months ago but never came back to me, I have been to these clinics a while ago I might ask my Dr to refer me again but sometimes you wait about 3 to4 hours to see them and when you do you are only there about 15minutes, I will let you know the results after the clinic.

PS I think these doctors are trying to make us dinasaurs extinct lol

Thanks for your welcomed advice Steve

[cofdrop-UK in reply to hippo32skin]

Steve you really need to be proactive hun. Don't let them fob you off. If you do have bronch it is very important you get the correct treatment and clear you lungs on a regular basis.

Unfortunately it is down to the patient to get back to the surgery and check out the results. If you need treatment they should contact you but I personally, from experience, would not rely on it and would always 'phone up.

You really do need to get a referral. Jot down all the questions you want to ask the consultant (do it in bullet points or you will get lost). If you don't understand anything ask them to explain it again. If they are any good they don't mind explaining and will sometimes draw the most wonderful drawings. If it helps you, take someone with you so you don't miss anything.

Let us know how you get on.

love cx

[Neo7]

Hi Hippo. Have you been tested for Bronchiectasis , this is when your bronchial tubes are scarred and distorted leading to a build up of phlegm, and possible chronic coughing. as fast as you have cleared it, the build up is back again owing to the damaged tubes. getting tested would give you some answers one way or another. Neo.

[evermore]

Have you had a CT scan ? It sounds as though you may have developed bronchiectasis which can only be diagnosed by CT. Bronchiectasis generally produces large amounts of sputum daily. You might want to get this checked out.

[hippo32skin in reply to evermore]

This what I was expecting my doctor to do because the Xray showed no infection at all on my chest, im afraid the medical profession is under great stress from this government so with these cut backs somebody has got to suffer so its us the patients, years ago I would of had a proper scan or xray in 2 to 3 days now its going into months. I will take your advice and try and get myself an appointment to get a scan.

Thank you kindly for your reply

[cofdrop-UK in reply to hippo32skin]

Awe Steve please stop making excuses for the medics. If your GP thinks everything is ok because of a chest xray, ask him why you keep coughing up copious amounts of discoloured phlegm. If he doesn't know, which he can't without a scan, then he has a duty of care to refer you to a specialist who will arrange a scan. It's nothing to do with years ago, you are entitiled to investigations to find out what's going on. Get proactive. Sorry if I sound harsh but some GPs need a kick up the arse and you need this sorting.

love cx

[Pantani in reply to hippo32skin]

I'm amazed you weren't told the results of the sputum test. I would also ask the GP for some mucodyne which helps make the sputum less sticky and makes it easier to bring up.

[hippo32skin in reply to Pantani]

I have put that down ready to ask my doctor for it , its a pity we couldn't buy some of these medicines over the counter like they do abroad I don't mean dangerous drugs like poisons etc, etc, because years ago when I went on holiday I bought loads of medication there after seeing a Greek doctor he gave me different things to what I got here and I felt fantastic for a few weeks until they ran out and I never kept the labels to show my Dr here. Well i'm definitely going to sort this out, as I am fed up of sleeping on the sofa for the past year because my toilet is down stairs and my partner who is not well her self could get no sleep with my spluttering so yes got to be sorted.

I am very grateful for all this advice I have had, mentally it has helped me a great deal.

THANK YOU

STEVE

[Mandy6513]

If you havnt attended a pulmonary rehab course i would suggest you ask about it as they teach you how to get up mucus, also many of us are on mucodyne which thins it

[Sohara]

This amount of mucus is NOT acceptable..you must go back to your GP, and ask to be refferred to a chest clinic/consultant. Sometimes mucus samples can come back as clear but they do not pick up the bug that is causing the problem ( perhaps due to not being tested in time, it has to be very soon after the sample submitted, or for long enough, some bugs take longer than others to grow in the labs)

You need to have a CT scan, and see a physio , and attend a PR course, and have another sample taken.

You are not receiving the proper care that you should be getting.....

First stop ASAP your GP....insist on a referral

Good luck Sohara

[hippo32skin in reply to Sohara]

Thank you will do.

[freefaller]

Have your Docs had the sputum tested?

[hippo32skin in reply to freefaller]

Yes last Easter but I have not heard anything.

[hippo32skin]

Yes last Easter but never heard anything after so I took it that there was nothing showing.

[freefaller in reply to hippo32skin]

If you ever have any tests you should always telephone the surgery to find out what the results were. Do not rely on the surgery to get in touch with you. Also it could have been lost or misfiled so if you check up you will know for sure.

[hippo32skin in reply to freefaller]

I have an appointment with the Dr wensday morning so I will sort it all out then, thank you for your letter much appreciated.

All the best Steve

[freefaller in reply to hippo32skin]

That is great. Maybe after such a long time you should have another test too. All the best

Sian

Ps only made a point about getting the results for tests by asking as my neighbour is going blind because the GP never received a letter sent to him by her optician. No one checked up about it and by the time anyone did anything about it Beryl was nearly blind in one eye. You can't rely on anyone other than yourself so if you know a test has been done ring back to get the results. End of sermon. Lol

[joyce741]

I was told to double up on my mucadine medicine

[soulsaver]

What colour is the mucous?

What meds are you on?

[hippo32skin in reply to soulsaver]

Always yellow

[Helen0909]

Hi, i have a similar problem though i appreciate not as bad. I have severe brittle asthma and my lungs produce a fair amount of sticky phlegm. I take mucodyne liquid which helps thin and break down the phlegm ( this helps so much and makes it alot easier to bring mucus up). I have found drinking plenty of water also really helps loosen things. If my lungs become sensitive for any reason, my lungs start to try and defend immediately by producing tons of mucus. Im sure you have probably had this done but having a detailed allergy test may help in the mix. I agree with others that a chest specialist can identify and do the necessary tests that a GP just wouldn't do. There are meds that can help dry things up, and i hope you find some of the answers soon. (I find whenever i am abroad somewhere warm on holiday , the warm dry air really helps dry up my mucus production). As also mentioned, do speak to the helpline as they are very helpful and supportive. Best wishes..Helen x

[hippo32skin]

Thank you for your comments and help, I feel as if I am a nuisance going to see these Dr's all the time, I have been there about 6 time about this mucus all I get is antibiotics, steroids and a spray for my nose, its so bad when I go out I have to take a toilet roll out with me to spit in hoping nobody sees me it makes me feel sick and dirty. I will be sorting this out shortly.

Thank you Helen for your concern

[ANANTHLEBUR]

Try Apple cidar viniger with mother recipe.....drink 4to5times starting from morning empty stomach...... It worked for me n many of my friends...... I can assure you...it may not give complete cure....but certainly gives enough relief n you don't need doctor to tell you to drink or not to drink.,..5to10ml in full glass of water.