Hi
I just got off the phone with 111, I explained I have Hypothyroidism and am heat intolerant so am prone to a high temperature but my reason for ringing is my breathing, Ive had trouble on and off for years but for the past 5 or 6 weeks Ive had mucus in my throat and feel like Im breathing through a straw, he said I didnt need to self isolate but need to speak to someone medically qualified and I was in a high risk group, Im none the wiser.
Regards
Frank
I would take that as you need to make an appointment with your GP, you may only be able to have a phone appointment but ring the surgery tomorrow to see what they can offer.
Thanks.
I'll ring in the morning, My GP gave me an inhaler a couple of years ago but when I used it I started bringing up a clear paste ,so another GP told me to stop taking it
Can you cough up a sample? If so take a fresh sample to the surgery for them to send for testing, if they can identify a bacterial infection they can give you the appropriate antibiotic. You will, of course, need a sputum pot for that so you might have to get that from the surgery if you don't already have one.
The phlegm I have now is really thick and sticky, really hard to cough up ,
Sounds like you need to see a doctor if possible. If they're not doing surgery appointments you'll have to explain your situation very well and try and get something to help.
Thanks again,
I;ll try tomorrow
Good luck Frank, let us know how you get on.
I agree with SeasideSusie that you need to see to doctor. Having difficulty getting a breath must be scary.
Sounds like asthma...my son had exactly that (or very similar) problem when he was a young boy.
Has your GP checked your breathing with a peak flow meter
asthma.org.uk/advice/manage...
Asthma is included im the at-risk group
Suggest you visit your GP and ask for advice
Good luck
I have a thick phlegm at the back of my throat most of that time - it can be seen. Like you, I find it nigh on impossible to cough up.
It’s particularly noticeable when I wake in the morning.
The GP told it’s linked to my sinuses which are draining down the back of my neck 🤢
Sometimes it’ll make me cough and then I can get it up but it just comes back.
I’ve learned to live with it.
I have exactly the same condition, had it for years. It is "Post Nasal Drip" and it's a nightmare, I have been hospitalised with Pneumonia several times. If you are able to sleep on your stomach that might help, I can only sleep on my right side, any other way and my airway becomes obstructed within minutes. I sometimes have to sleep upright in a chair. I too have Under-active Thyroid and for some reason I have lost the function in my right kidney, Doctor doesn't seem too worried though. I guess at 60 I am not worth bothering with.
Hi Frank
I've been looking at all the other replies and think you should see your GP. I have had exactly the same thing for several weeks, but I know that I have allergic asthma and I am allergic to spores, so I am sure that this is my problem. I have a daily inhaler for this, which is Seretide, also I have a Ventolin inhaler, which is probably what they gave you initially. I think the doctor who told you not to use it, was wrong, because these inhalers open your airways and makes it easier to cough up the phlegm, and also thin it out.
May I recommend the use of a salt pipe. They are amazing things for anyone with any breathing issue, allergies... You can find them on Amazon...
Did he say you were in a high risk group because of Hypothyroidism?
It will be the breathing problem that is regarded as high risk. The OP says he has had breathing problems on and off for years and currently feels like he's breathing through a straw.
One "at risk" group is
"chronic (long-term) respiratory diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema or bronchitis"
So, like me with 2 diagnosed chronic lung conditions, he is probably in that group.
Ok. Thank you. I hope you stay safe and away from this horrid virus
I have to agree with gp apt as suggested fir oral flow etc.
Also are you taking any antihistamines or food in that group as they all can make phlegm v thick.
Good luck
Sounds like it may just be asthma as that's sticky when airways are narrowed but like everyone has said, get it tested if you can at your gp.
Hello Phronsias2
My understanding is that if you are called in each year by your GP for a flu jab then you are high risk and need to self isolate. I am in that category because of my asthma not my thyroid issues. Yesterday I was sent a table with symptoms as compared to other illnesses, including cold, flu etc. It is the most helpful Info I have received. It is from Boots healthcare and I believe it will be on their website. They have also done a series of videos which are on YouTube. If you have mucus then I think your GP should help you, not 911 as it isn’t particularly recognised as a symptom of the virus. It sounds like you need support to keep your wellness at an optimum. Obviously I am not a Dr but I know how frightening this is for those of us who have ongoing chronic illness. I send my best wishes to keep yourself safe and well.
It's so difficult isnt it.
I'm still at work, special needs, being asked to go into the residential houses, I've asthma, àtrial fibrillation, hypo, osteoarthritis ,do I agree or stay at home and not be able to pay Bill's.
I'm sorry you are confused. Take great care.
I had what sound like similar mucus to you it was almost glue like and I couldn’t move it easily by swallowing. This lasted weeks and I had to breathe through my mouth and try and sleep elevated. I was given antibiotics for another problem and these cleared it up.
Might be a form of Rhinitis
Can I ask a question about your question? I've only recently been diagnosed with Hasimotos so getting to grips with it. Can you explain the heat intolerance thing? I often feel like I'm very hot, I thought we were meant to feel cold not hot. Thanks for your help and I hope you feel better soon, sounds like talking to your GP as others have suggested is your best move.
Hello
In my case, heat intolerance will be triggered by external heat, for example, if I am outdoors walking wearing a winter coat and the sun comes out ,my body will heat up really quickly to the point I feel as if I will pass out and I will need to remove my coat, on a cold day this works for me but if Im at work and the room temp goes up, my body heat goes up really quickly and I need to cool down or I will pass out, this has caused problems at work, I dont like it one bit.
omg this happened to me yesterday 'if I am outdoors walking wearing a winter coat and the sun comes out' i don't feel like i'm going to pass out but it is pretty unbearable, i just thought i had a really warm coat! Also always struggled with heat, thankfully no longer work in an office but i was always so much hotter than everyone else. this is beginning to make sense. Thanks so much for your response 
Doctor will ring you back .x
Your welcome.
When Im at work and it happens, I panic (and its sounds funny) I cant just take my shirt and t-shirt off to cool down and my body temp climes rapidly,its horrible, I cant get out fast enough
Frank, have you managed to phone the GP surgery yet?
Yes thanks.
He rang me about 10 mins ago, he thinks its Bronchitis:but he said without a face to face examination he could not be sure ,he has prescribed a blue inhaler in case its asthma and something for the mucus and ring again if it not better.
Thanks for all the replies
Frank
Good that something is being done. I hope you start to improve soon.
Thanks
Quick follow up, the inhaler worked wonders, within 20 mins I could breath not 100% better but a big improvement, Im puzzled I used the peak flow meter and get a reading of 600 which is what it should be, but still I have trouble breathing.
I'm pleased it has made such a difference to you.
Is it the blue ventolin one?
I have COPD and Bronchiectasis, I didn't get on with the ventolin inhaler, I seemed to react to the propellant. I use breath activated inhalers which suit me better.
Sorry I can't help about the peak flow meter. Why not post on the British Lung Foundation forum here on HealthUnlocked, they should be able to help:
Yes its blue,thanks for the link
I’ve got the same problem and symptoms!
Thought I was going mad!
Will follow you on this one but just to say that I was told that I too am on the high risk list! 😱
I’m not self isolating at the moment but will do in the very near future!
Wish you well and take good care! X
I had similar sx last year and endo arranged a scan of my thyroid -- no abnormality found
adrenal testing on the nhs?
Help with NHS consultants
Most understanding NHS Endo
NHS sponsor employees to retrain !!!!
NHS and TPO antibodies
