Why cant I cough productively? Is the junk in there alway, waiting to flare up when opportunity?

[lisajawea46]

Im fairly new to this site and am very grateful for it. My question today is mkst of my lung infections are severe, require antibiotics and high fever. Even though lungs are painful and difficult to breathe I almost never can expectorate when I try to cough, huff, etc. Wondering if it just stays in my lungs, or if my body somehow absorbs it. I do have bands of opacities in both lower lobes always. I use 800 to 1200mg Mucinex 3x a day when sick, but nothing comes out.

[Caspiana]

Hello lisajawea46 .

Hello and I'm sorry to hear about your situation. It must be quite frustrating. I am probably not the best person to answer this question as I rarely have any phlegm. The only thing I can think is perhaps the phlegm is quite thick. Maybe drinking more water and some steam may help shift it.

I wish I could be more helpful, but I am sure others will have some suggestions too. 😊

Warm wishes,

Cas xx 🌸

[lisajawea46 in reply to Caspiana]

Thankyou Caspiana, I sm beginning to think I just dont have much phlegm. I do steam, lots of water and breathing exercises. Maybe the infections arent productive and scar tissue and inflammation is the only things goin on. Will have another ct scan in 5 wks and see. Thanks again 😊

[Caspiana in reply to lisajawea46]

All the best Lisa. 😊

[Tugun]

Hi,

You might need something extra. If your lungs are painful and it is difficult to breathe, then you need to have a lung function test to see how you are going. I wouldn't wait for the five weeks but would see a doctor straight away and ask for a lung function test. At least then both you and the doctor are aware of your lung capacity as it is right now and can decide what to do from there.

[lisajawea46 in reply to Tugun]

I agree but its the soonest zi can get in for the PFT. I did have ct scan in May and he wanted to wait 3 months to look at 8mm groundglass nodule in left lung on the lingula. I am breathing decent for a week now since recovering from last pneumonia infection in L lung. The last PFT was 2 yrs ago.Thats pretty long... I live several hours from health care and am going to see if they can do one sooner as you said. Thanks again Tugun, appreciate this forum tremendously. Until now, I have been quite alone with my lung problems. This has given me much hope and I feel a liittle more at ease.

[Tugun]

Just thought of one more thing - not all doctors are good at listening to a chest to determine how bad you are. A couple of doctors have listened to my chest and stated that I was fine because they couldn't hear a wheeze. I actually couldn't breathe properly - similar to how you describe your breathing - and had quite severe asthma which was discovered later. I am not saying you have asthma but there may be better medication for you at this time.

[lisajawea46 in reply to Tugun]

I do have asthma, but hardly ever audibly wheeze even when its very bad. Colds are my worst enemy so feel like a germaphobe. But, have to do what I have to do to avoid it. Thankyou 😊

[lKeith]

lisajawea46

Hi & welcome to the site. Mucus is a pain, you can try some things that may make moving the stuff a little easier, it works for me. Whilst you have a build up of mucus infections will live on it. if you can get your lungs clearer it may also make for less infections. Have you tried Carbocisteine tabs together with a little widget from clement-clarke.com into which you "Huff". It may take a few Huffs but it does shift it. If not try a DHD acapella, a bit like a warbler which needs multiple blows. (No tune tho').

IKeith

[lisajawea46 in reply to lKeith]

Thankyou Keith! I will look thrm up and see how I can get my hsnds on them. Maybe my pulmonologist can help. Ive not heard of either item. Looking forward to checking them out. Thanks again so much 😊