Hi all. My husband, Steve, was diagnosed with CBD in 2015 but was showing signs for a few years before. Recently, he has had problems swallowing and is clearing his throat constantly. Had secretion in mouth which Hospice gave him Hyoscyamine to take 4 times daily. It did not help at all. Also tried cough syrup 4 times a day which also did not help. You can hear the flem in his throat when he breathes. Hospice nurse is to be here today to see if we can do anything else. Has anyone else had this issue? I am at a loss.
Celia
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Kahia
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Mum was the same in february almost strangled by mucus i asked for a cough assist machine and suction machine which have been great. Hyoscine was also prescribed (buscapan) which didnt help so she now has other hyoscine patch scopoderm which is effective.
Hope the pallative team can come up with something its very distressing
Hi Lynda. I spoke with Hospice about suction machine. It will not work for Steve. His mucus is in his chest. Suction will not get it. Oh well, they suggested pills sublingual to help with excess secretion. That did not work. Ordered cough syrup and that did not work. Ordered another type of cough syrup and so far, that has cleared mucus in chest. He is still coughing but that is due to his swallowing issues.
I bought my mum a nebuliser from Boots (if you are in the UK) I put her on it 2-3 times a day for about 3 days and it seemed to have done the trick. Doctor told me she mustn’t go on it too much I assume she means everyday so I only put my mum on it when she really needs it I am not sure if anyone else has tried a nebuliser but it worked for my mum and got rid of the choking mucas so I was willing to try anything to be honest.
Thanks Marinab. I am in US, Maryland. Hospice suggested a inhaler but he did not want that. We tried pills but no luck, cough syrup no luck. Started another cough syrup over the weekend. That cleared the mucus in chest. Still coughing but not as much. That is because of his swallowing issues. Thanks for the input. Take care. Celia
These are our experiences after 7,5 years living with PSP:
•Phlegm and choking: The first thing is to remain calm during episodes of truly shocking coughs. The second is that a physician rules out an infection in the respiratory tract. Get a pulse oximeter to control. (Fever is an indication usually either pneumonia or urinay tract infection (UTI) in PSP patients).
•It is not a big problem that the patient swallows his phlegm. For phlegm to be fluid, it is important to drink liquids. Steam inhalation from boiling water in a bowl with a few drops of some floral essence (avoid mint plants and eucalyptus) that is pleasant to the patient, a small spoonful of marine salt and some pieces of lemon, salvia or eucaliptus drops, with a towel covering head and bowl helps. (One to three times a day.) Medications like "Mucosan" (Ambroxol hydrochloride) twice a day or “Fluimicil Forte-600” (Acetilcisteine) one by day, help. Ask physician.
•In case of choking, raise both arms at shoulder height, breathe only through the nose intensely if posible. I not, inhale air intensely but not very fast through the mouth. Retain air a couple of seconds and then force the cough.
•Also here, to avoid in the diet drinks that can be irritating helps: coffee, carbonated beverages as pop or soda (or eliminate the gas by agitation before giving it to the patient), chocolate, orange or grapefruit juice, etc.. There are some foods to avoid…. things like grapes, rice, foods that crumble easily, sticky foods, etc.
•There is a suction machine which helped a lot with the very sticky phlegm. We have NOT used it yet.
•A steam atomizer to keep the air in the room moist helped, too. (40% - 52% moist advisable.)
•The physiotherapists have exercises reinforcing trunk muscles to improve the cough response to choking. Engage a good speech/swallow therapist to learn swallowing techniques.
•Avoid dairy products, especially before bedtime seems to avoid the increase in viscosity of phlegm.
•Raising around 15º a 35º (9” to 12”) the head of the bed also helps.
Wow Luis -- lots of suggestions. Will look over and talk to Hospice. They did prescribe a cough syrup which I started Saturday morning. It has cleared the mucus in his chest.
He is still coughing/choking while eating because of swallowing issues. I have remained calm throughout. Will be trying some of your suggestions. Let you know how I make out.
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