Throat probs

[LindanTerry]

Does anyone have any info or have experienced this please help

My husband suffers at night with cattarh!! in the back of his throat and he seems unable to shift it,when he wakes in the mornin he coughs up what i can only describe as Brown Sludge!!

[anniemay]

Yes, my husband also has terrible problems with mucus lodged in the throat, during the day but worse at night, presumably due to lying down and I assume this is just another one of those horrible effects of PSP. However, it should be fairly clear or white - if it is brown it would indicate an infection, as happens sometimes in my husband's case, and our GP prescribes antibiotics at this stage. Hope this helps, all the best, Ann

[kay1]

you beat me to it anniemay! we had the same problem and Frank had antibiotics because of the colour, he was also prescribed a liquid which would help break up the mucus.

x

[Kathy]

As the others have already said, the colour would indicate infection. Does your husband sleep flat?? Propping him up on pillows might make it easier for him to clear his chest in the night. Also, it would be worth getting him reviewed by a speech therapist as it sounds like he might be aspirating some of his food ( a common cause of chest infection).

Hope it clears soon

love Kathy x

[PSPA_KatH]

Hi Linda

It could be that your husband may require antibiotics if there is an infection present but if no infection is there and the phlegm is thick and tenacious it may require some help to loosen it such as Mucodeine syrup. Also make sure his fluid intake levels are sufficient so that he is not dehydrated which will contribute to secretions becoming thick and sticky. Try not to lie him flat during the night which can cause secretions to pool at the back of the throat. If he is at a slight 35 degree angle then gravity can aid drainage.

[dllera]

My Dad suffers the same issue - we swab his mouth with water to moisten his mouth every time we reposition him so he has something to swallow - we also use Biotene severe dry mouth moisterizing spray and gel -and we use a suction machine to help get that junk outta there.

[LindanTerry]

Thank you all for your answers so many problems for us all,but we manage luv Linda x

[Jean_]

Hi, don't know if this is helpful but my husband has always suffered with Catarrh, but has recently suffered extreme coughing fits about 10 minutes after laying down at night. (PSP was diagnosed in July 2011). I learnt that this could be due to acid aspiration (stomach acid getting into the windpipe). A medication to reduce acid production has stopped this. I understand that stress/anxiety as well as rushing meals can lead to excess acid production, so if this is your experience it may be worth a try.

[LindanTerry]

Thanks Jean

He is already on Omeprazole for acid as well as the mucus medicine.It seems we shall just have to accept its all part of it and get on with it as usual... we arent doing so bad we can at least still get out and about and enjoy things. Hope your hubby is getting on ok. keep in touch.

Love Linda xxxx

[Elli3]

Hi Lynda,Alan stuggled with the mucus problem,once we knew there was no infection he got short term relief with Benolyn Mucus cough medicine,even if it didn`t do anything ,it helped knowing it might do, lv Eileen