Hi Peeps! Hope we're all doing well. I'm going to see a GP about this, but I thought I'd toss it out here. Lately I've had trouble bringing up phlegm. It will come up to the top of the throat, but no more. And last night, I could not breathe for several scary moments, because it had clogged my larynx. I do not have fever or other symptoms of COVID or pneumonia. My question is this. Could the swollen lymph nodes on the side of my neck be constricting the larynx and preventing the escape of phlegm? I know only a doc could tell me for sure, and I'm off to see one, but has anyone experienced this in connection with their disease? And if so, what have they done?
So grateful to everyone. You're all in my prayers. Peace and love.
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Guffy
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I’m not medically trained, just a mom. It may help to 1) make sure you’re well hydrated and 2) avoid decongestants which can dry out your secretions. Instead, try an expectorant like Guaifenesin, which keeps things moving. 3) A hot steamy shower can also loosen things up.
I am hoping you find out what causes it. I have had it over a yr. I saw drs, specialists, lung Dr, and A infectious disease doctor and not one can figure out what causes it. The phylum is very thick and sticky. I cannot cough it out. I come close to passing out. The tests all came back negative that the drs tested. I was never a smoker nor did I ever have the COVID. It started around the time I started taking Venetoclax, but I cannot prove it at all. My oncologist ordered at least 25 different tests, with all coming back negative. HealthUnlocked is the best study group and help I have ever had. Honestly I wish I could HUG each and everyone of you. Feel better soon. You are not alone!!!
Wow, thanks for the reply. Feel for you. Yes, I just took the home COVID test, all good. The human body's a weird thing. Yes, the gang here are great, aren't they? All the best! Hope you find some relief.
Thanks hankisbest for recommending the allergy study. I will definitely see them. My lung doctor #1 recommended me to see a heart Dr for a check up since I have had this violent cough for over a yr. The stress test showed blockage so now I am going for a heart catheterization next week. Thanks so much for the allergy study recommendation. I will definitely make an appointment. Once again, thanks to all of the kind and wonderful people on this site. It has been so helpful!
Have you ever seen an allergist to be tested for asthma? I don’t think I could handle the phlegm issue, if I didn’t have my asthma puffers. Best wishes.
I had similar issues a few years ago and ended up being diagnosed with silent acid reflux. I also would get a sore throat but would never came down with a cold. No heartburn. No regurgitation.
Thanks Rpshe1 I never heard of silent acid reflex. I had a fl barium swallow/esophagram test a few weeks ago. It came back normal. I see a digestive gastroenterologist in a few weeks. I will definitely ask him about silent acid reflux. I truly appreciate your recommendations from your previous diagnosis.
I’ve not experienced this directly as a result of CLL - but indirectly
Respiratory physio trick for clearing phlegm.
Purse your lips and inhale deeply like you are drinking from a straw - really fill your lungs, exhale forcefully like you are trying to mist up a mirror - bring on the coughing and hey presto
i asked my Dr for a script for albuterol solution vials for my nebulizer and that did the trick after a good solid 10 days 2x a day breathing treatments. I got my nebulizer on amazon several years ago when I had pneumonia. Stay 💪🏻 and good luck.
Maybe take a small amount of Guaifensin (Mucinex) to help loosen up the Phlegm, I can "feel" when I've got alot of Mucus, and when I do, I'll take a pill and drink a couple bottles of water to help the "Loosening up"
Maybe ask your PCP or Oncologist if a small script of Steroids could help, maybe a script of Anti-biotics to shrink some of the lymph nodes
GERD/Acid Reflux can cause this condition. If you are experiencing this mainly when lying down, it may be worth having a doctor look at it, and possibly have an endoscopy.
I started to get mucus in my throat when I started taking methotrexate (for my autoimmune problems) and sleeping on my back because all other positions hurt my ribs or back. I have changed that but still have phlegm. My Rheumatologist told me to take Robitussin (Guiafenisin) the next morning. I gargle with salt water and get it out with my finger if it doesn’t come up. I have changed my diet a bit (no milk products) and it hasn’t made any difference. I got robitussin on Amazon much cheaper. All the stores here don’t have it in stock. The pharmacy is having shortages of pain meds too.
Have had the same problem, there probably is no one fix. By all means go with docs, perhaps a Pulmonologist, but be realistic, they cannot come up with all the answers and medications all have side effects, more of crutch than solution, often.
A few thoughts: hydration, super important as otherwise phlegm dries like super glue, unbelievably sticky, can impair breathing.
Maintain moisture in breathed air, especially while sleeping. Not easy to optimize, need really good quality humidifier, kept clean, free of germs. would use distilled water, though expensive.
cpap, if you have sleep apnea, is really wonderful, helps breathing, moisturizing. i think of mine as a washout for lungs. Again, must be meticulous in avoiding germs.
Breath exclusively through nose. air is optimaly cleaned, moisturised. also enriched with nitic oxide. you can look it up on line. Again, not easy.
Teas are wonderful.
No overnight fix, but with multiple approaches, confident you will do better over time.
Thanks, Lenny. I like all that. The more doctors I see, the more I realize how little they know. My GP admitted that to me - 'we guess a lot of the time.' And why should we expect them to be gods? 😜Half the time I bet they're more anxious than their patients. Anyway, he's put me on antibiotics - not a great fan, I reckon I'm resistant. I do have to keep reminding myself that I'm vulnerable to bugs now, and that I do have to keep sanitizing and wearing a mask. I've been so healthy for most of my life. Everybody's been great here. All the best to you!
Doctors do their best, but are chronically overwhelmed, pressed for time. the best possible outcomes are when we, families and friends engage all resources. there is so much possible with lifestyle changes, to augment medical care.
Fortunately there is a lot of information, and this wonderful CLL group. trick is to try ideas that can cause no harm, there is a lot of garbage out there.
Antibiotics are a blessing, but best used for a limited time. with specific purpose. if they do not work in allotted time, time to switch, or stop. Really important to get culture and sensitivity of phlegm, coughed up from deep in lungs. This guides proper antibiotic. ideally takesnbefore the antibiotic. otherwise a crap shoot and easily lead down a rat hole.
Also recommend gettig and using an "Acappela" device. about 40 dollars on amazon. this vibrates and loosens mucus. not hocus pocus, Physical therapists used to do this, but too labor intensive.
Old fashioned steaming helps. Boil some water, pour it in a heat proof bowl lean over it. Then put a tea towel over your head and breath in and out deeply for one minute with eyes closed to prevent scalding. Repeat at least twice a day.
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