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How can you tell where the mucus is coming from ??

carolg1 profile image
16 Replies

Hi as some of you know I have been struggling with massive mucus problems, I apparently have reflux as well as copd , I know this next bit is gross so sorry in advance, when asked by my docs where do I think it comes from I can't really say all I know is I feel the pressure building and it then comes up to back of my nose/throat to start expelling I hack or put the fingers down my throats and the floodgates opens it literally pours up , I was at it for 7 hours yesterday totally draining me. Any help please xx

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carolg1 profile image
carolg1
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16 Replies
stone-UK profile image
stone-UK

Hi

Not. Sure of a suitable answer, but bit concerned that putting fingers down your throat, this will empty stomach contents as opposed to mucus discharge. With will cause more harm than good.

Members use saline solutions with success, posture drain is another.

Some members will come up with some tried and tested methods to help you.

Some reading for you.

healthcentral.com/copd/c/96...

carolg1 profile image
carolg1 in reply to stone-UK

Hi stone thanks for replying appreciate it, this is why I get so confused because it's as if I'm trying to get a square peg through a round hole when I start wretching it all up but even if I have not long since eaten something that food never comes up ! Which you would think because I am putting fingers down to wretch the stuff out my food would follow, once I've cleared loads of it however I get a slight taste of the food I've eaten and horrid burps then the pressure in my chest/stomach is lessened it's so awful and embarrassing , I've tried some of the techniques houghing etc, but I rarely cough , I try and ignore the feeling and hope I just swallow it from the back of my throats but if I ignore for too long my main airway feels compromised, my resp nurse just says I'm a conundrum, but that doesn't really help me,thanks x

casper99 profile image
casper99 in reply to carolg1

Hi, you don't think it could be Post Nasal Drip, so you?

I used to bring up loads of mucus, but, it came from my stomach.

The mucus was running down the back of my throat and making me cough night and day. So, just a suggestion. xx

carolg1 profile image
carolg1 in reply to casper99

Hi Casper yes I do think it is PND and reflux which I turn affects the copd is yours under control now x

casper99 profile image
casper99 in reply to carolg1

Mine suddenly started 11 years ago. I was the same nasal spray for it and it was under control for a few years, with the odd flare ups.

Then, last year, it flared up, out of control. It was embarrassing and exhausting. I was coughing and spitting all day, coughing and spitting all night. The doctor changed my nasal spray and Antihistamines and it gave me the worse facial sinus pain I'd had in years so, I just stopped the spray. I thought if I'm going to be this bad with medication, it can't be any worse without it.

It's been 95% better. dry heat and stress, are my main triggers. I think the original nasal spray was rebounding.

Spring and Summer, might flare it back up, I'll just have to wait and see. xx

carolg1 profile image
carolg1 in reply to casper99

Hi Casper, I know that's the worst of it so embarrassing and degrading , what do u think made it 95 % better ? X

casper99 profile image
casper99 in reply to carolg1

I honestly don't know. I think that taking the nasal spray daily, for so many years, it started rebounding and just stopped working.

In the last couple of days I have noticed a slight increase in pnd and one nostril keeps dripping a bit, probably the spring pollen, so I am restarting the antihistamines onlyxx

Badbessie profile image
Badbessie

Have you been taught the Huff cough? You can normally tell if the mucus is in the upper or lower part of the lung by when you hear the rattle/wheeze. When you blow out the later the wheeze starts indicates how low down the mucus is. Obviously blow your nose clear that etc before doing this. Are you on a mucus thinning medication because this can help. Sticking your fingers down your throat is going to make your reflux much worse.

carolg1 profile image
carolg1 in reply to Badbessie

Hi bad Bessie,it does come from very low down that's why I'm not sure where it's coming from stomach or throat, you could be right using my fingers could be making it worse though. X carol

shadow4me profile image
shadow4me

Muscus does run with Reflux I have the same problem blooming horrid ,It most likely is post nasal drip which runs with reflux to, I also get a one sided sore throat and it affects my copd I have just had a endoscopy has the GP was baffled why I was and am feeling like this I get anxiety to which then makes the reflux problems worse ,My endoscopy results were acid reflux they have started me on a new pill I just hope it helps xx

carolg1 profile image
carolg1 in reply to shadow4me

Hi, do you sometimes have days where you are spending hours ! Bringing the stuff up sometimes I just can't believe the quantity, I hope the tablets work for you I really do it's so disabilitating, which tablets are they trying you on , I've had a few different ones for reflux up to now not much joy 😞 They have also tried me on antihistamines too n no joy xx

shadow4me profile image
shadow4me in reply to carolg1

Esomeprazole 40mg x

carolg1 profile image
carolg1 in reply to shadow4me

Hi, well that's one I haven't tried would you let me know how u get on with it good luck xx

shadow4me profile image
shadow4me in reply to carolg1

I will. Can I ask what preventer inhaler you are on I have found my reflux has become a lot worse since I was put on to Fostair and my anxiety x

carolg1 profile image
carolg1 in reply to shadow4me

I've been on a few prevent inhalers at present I'm on a non steroid one called ultibro but only been on it a couple of months and can't say it's anything very different or better , god I hate this damn disease it robs u of everything, sorry just having a poor evening with breathlessness so not a happy bunny, lol x, I'm going to see a professor of reflux on 13/4/2017 I've been waiting to see him for nearly a year apparently he knows all there is to know about reflux so I'm praying he can help x

winfar profile image
winfar

Thatisthe tablet and dosage I am taking twice a day and it works for me. Good luck.

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