Need a sputum sample

[kate1978]

I've been asked to provide a sputum sample, before taking antibiotics, have looked on you tube, and tried taking deep breaths and then huffing, but nothing, any advice please

[andyrrc]

I know that feeling only too well - I have a lot of mucus in big lumps as a norm but when it comes to actually giving a sample like you - nothing if you find a way please let know how because my doctor keeps asking and I keep failing. I feel so embarrassed because the doc can hear the muck but I can't get it out.

[-Butterfly-]

I had pneumonia last year and had the same issue. Lungs were full of muck but couldn't get any up for a sample!

[Dibola04]

Hi, I have the same problem and am now using a saline nebuliser before I do my chest clearance regime as a trial. I understand that I may need to try hypertonic saline nebs when my chest is more stable.

[Lynzilou in reply to Dibola04]

Hi Dibola04

I have the same problem as well, I can get the first bits of mucus up, but there always seems to be more left behind. Did you get your saline nebuliser from your doctor? Mine wouldn't give me one, said they no longer prescribed them, so my daughter has bought me one from Amazon, plus the saline - we will try it when she gets home from work -I have found that I am too breathless to do the cough clearance straightaway I have to use my inhaler first, the breathlessness makes me panic. are you the same, is that why you do the nebuliser first? I have pulmonary fibrosis - what have you got?

Regards

Lynne

[Dibola04 in reply to Lynzilou]

Hi Lynne,

I have Asthma and Bronchiectasis, the later resulted in several years of repeated chest infections. My Consultant and Respiratory Physio have suggested I try this to help clear my chest and break the cycle alongside prophylactic antibiotics. Haven’t noticed a huge difference yet but only just started it, fingers crossed!

Might be worth discussing it again, there is a difference between 0.9% saline and hypertonic saline.

Best wishes

[heatt]

Hi, I feel for you, I was the same(Ihave MAC) The last nurse I got said to just get whatever I could, saliva and from my throat was all I could get. It tested positive for MAC. I wonder if whatever is in our lungs is in our throat and saliva also. Before that I had to have Bronchoscopy to get samples which was a real pain. All the best to you.

[kate1978 in reply to heatt]

Thank you I don't know what MAC is , will have to look That up

[heatt]

Its Mycobacterium intracellulare complex. Bacteria growing in the lungs.

[sagittar in reply to heatt]

Did you get a sputum test and what is your symptoms and color of you sputum. I want to get a sputum test too....to find out if I have any kind of bacteria causing my yellowish mucus daily...sometimes different color....but mostly yellow.

[heatt in reply to sagittar]

Hi sagittar I did sputum tests but not very well, so they were confirmed by a bronchoscopy and the dr said there was yellow mucus in my lungs. . Get a sputum test done if you are concerned and have symptoms.Take care

[kate1978 in reply to sagittar]

I only managed to get a tiny bit, greyish in colour, I had pneumonia in December and a ctscan in February showed there was some consolidation at the base of my lungs, so a week of doxycycline, but doctor wanted a sputum sample before I started on them

[wheezyof]

Reading this thread makes me feel more normal. Most of the time I can and do shift the mucus from my chest. However sometimes it gets so thick and solid it's almost impossible to expel. Unfortunately this seems to be when I'm having a flare up. I do the huffing, double breathing, cough cycle - nothing! I drink plenty of fluids. I even tried carbocistine (sp?) but that made me very sick. I've got a flutter now to help vibrate the mucus loose. If anyone else has tips on producing samples when mucus gets like this please share.

[Lynzilou in reply to wheezyof]

Hi

There is an alternative to carbosisteine - mucodyn? I think its called - have you tried that? I don't have a problem with carbosisteine, - it does thin the mucus down for me. I have a flutter which helps - but I didn't realise that at the end of the cycle of puffs, you have to take big breaths in, really fill your lungs, and blow out hard - into the flutter. I was taking the device away from my mouth and trying to do the "huffs". Blowing into the flutter seems to be better. I have a big problem with "huffing" I just can't seem to master the technique - have you had a physiotherapist to show you how to do it?

Regards

Lynne

[wheezyof in reply to Lynzilou]

Yes I was taught the huff n cough at pulmonary rehab. I'm getting used to the flutter but I've been told NOT to do a hard blow. (Different lung condition?)

[Lynzilou in reply to wheezyof]

They have put me down for pulmonary rehab, I don't know when it will start, I;m looking forward to someone showing me exactly what to do. The instructions in the Flutter say to do the hard blow at the very end, BUT, they do say to do what your medical advisor has advised, even if its different because those instructions are just for you, so you have to go with that. I've got pulmonary fibrosis, and haven't yet been able to see anyone professional for help or advice. It's very frustrating.

[wheezyof in reply to Lynzilou]

I went to pulmonary rehab long before I got my flutter. I found the rehab very useful. x

[Alfiebax2]

Hi maybe you could ask your Gp for some tablets called carbocisteine .I had these in hospital and when i came home and they help to bring your muck up out of your lungs.Hope this helps .x

[mskpjb]

I've nad COPD for 13/14 years and have never been able to provide a sputum sample yet ! Good luck, Sheila x

[garibaldon]

My Doctor prescribed . Incruse Elliptum ( one inhalation per day) this medication loosens phlegm on the lungs enabling it to be coughed up readily... it dose work well.

[Maximonkey]

Hi Kate, I always have problems getting a sample too but I have discovered that if I blow into my peak flow meter (I need to take a reading when I am ill anyway) the phlegm loosens and is easier to bring up. If you do not use a peak flow then I am afraid the only way is to blow as hard as you can and that should have the same effect. Good luck and take care. Maximonkey

[kate1978 in reply to Maximonkey]

Thanks for all of your replies, my ribs are aching today with the effort of trying to cough up a sample!

I took the sample in to the doctors this morning, a very tiny amount, not even enough to cover the bottom of the pot

I will mention all your suggestions next time I need to do a sample

[normannippy]

Try this Kate. Lie flat, take a deep breath in and hold it whilst counting to twelve, breathe out and breathe normally. Repeat 6 times. This works for me. Good luck

[kate1978 in reply to normannippy]

Thank you I will try that

[Johnem]

If you use a Ventolin inhaler, several extra inhalations will help to lift stubborn mucus when used before the Huff process.