Very thick phlegm that I can not cough to... - Cure Parkinson's

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Very thick phlegm that I can not cough to move

M-o-ggy profile image
21 Replies

Hi to you all, About 6 months ago I started having difficulty clearing phlegm from my throat. At the time the problem solved itself but paid a fleeting visit a couple of times just to annoy me

When it happens the phlegm is so thick that coughing does not clear it This results in much very embarrassing scraping of the throat, compulsive gagging, and sometimes a difficulty with drawing breath as the phlegm momentarily blocks my breathing. About 4 months ago Art suggestion that I try NAC. Because the problem seemed to solve itself I didn’t take it further but that is going to be my next step

The reason for my posting again is that my husband tells me that this is a sign that I have at some stage had Covid

Does anyone know if this is so or is this another symptom of PD

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M-o-ggy profile image
M-o-ggy
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21 Replies
LAJ12345 profile image
LAJ12345

Have you tried Ambroxol?

chartist profile image
chartist

Thickened phlegm is a PD issue. It can also occur in Covid-19, but is usually accompanied by a chronic cough that can continue for many months. I have seen a longer term covid cough resolve relatively quickly with high dose melatonin. The fact that the phlegm issue was gone for a time, came back and was gone again only to return again seems more related to PD. What did your doctor think is the cause and what was his/her suggested treatment? An antibody test should determine if you had Covid-19.

Art

M-o-ggy profile image
M-o-ggy in reply to chartist

Hi there. I have not mentioned to a Dr yet. Still trying to sort out the heel pain :-). A couple of months ago I said that I thought that I had had Covid his answer was ‘You probably have’.

M-o-ggy profile image
M-o-ggy in reply to chartist

Hi there. Have ordered NAC today. Another part of the journey I suppose.

chartist profile image
chartist in reply to M-o-ggy

Another advantage to NAC supplementation is that it regulates Nrf2 to increase glutathione levels, something useful for PwP.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl....

Here is a relevant quote from the study that clearly shows that NAC increases total antioxidant capacity and increases production of some of the bodies own potent natural antioxidants while reducing MDA levels which is a marker for oxidative stress levels :

>>> ' A higher level of TAC on seminal plasma was observed after NAC supplementation. Moreover, the level of MDA on seminal plasma was significantly lower in infertile men after treatment with NAC compared to with before treatment with NAC (P<0.05). In addition, the results demonstrated that CAT, GPX and SOD levels were significantly increased in NAC treated group (P<0.05, Table 2). ' <<<

The following study describes how NAC thins mucous secretions to help them flow out :

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK5....

Here is a relevant quote from the study :

>>> ' NAC hydrolyzes the disulfide bonds of mucus proteins to decrease mucus viscosity, thereby facilitating its clearance.4 NAC is used as a treatment option in various conditions in which there are problems with clearance of lung mucosal secretions (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], chronic bronchitis, and intubated or post-operative patients).1,4–7 ' <<<

Art

redhawk1 profile image
redhawk1

Yes, try Ambroxol. It helps me reduce that nasty phlegm!

M-o-ggy profile image
M-o-ggy in reply to redhawk1

Where do I find this?

redhawk1 profile image
redhawk1 in reply to M-o-ggy

Hi M! I purchased 30 mg tablets online. Or, depending upon where you reside they may be available at your local pharmacy.

M-o-ggy profile image
M-o-ggy in reply to redhawk1

Hi there. I have found some at £74 a box which is beyond my budget but thank you for your input

Ramondo profile image
Ramondo

I try to cough my phlegm up every morning.sometimes I can’t and I have a horrible gravel voice. I am convinced it is caused. by my PD.I have tried Ambroxol with no success, any other suggestions would be appreciated.

M-o-ggy profile image
M-o-ggy in reply to Ramondo

Hi there. I have found some at £74 a box. That is beyond my budget but thank you for your input

in reply to Ramondo

Avoid dairyDrink warm / hot water with lemon

Gargle

Exercise voice - Daphne has posted on this

Facial steamer

Fumaniron profile image
Fumaniron

Could also be diet related. Inflammatory foods like gluten and dairy create a lot of mucus

M-o-ggy profile image
M-o-ggy in reply to Fumaniron

Hi there. I have been gluten and dairy free for around 30 years

Fumaniron profile image
Fumaniron in reply to M-o-ggy

Excellent

Despe profile image
Despe

Oops. Looks like that page can't be found! I have had problems all morning. Can't get to the site. A new survey has been added, and although I fill it out, I still have problems!

Gioc profile image
Gioc

I've always had it this season since I was diagnosed, for me this pre-spring period is the weakest time. I always solved with NAC even during the covid I did last year in mild form.

SilentEchoes profile image
SilentEchoes

You should see your doctor, it could be a symptom of lung cancer.

I don't know where you live, but I live in a northern climate with a long heating season. Ways to be more comfortable:

1) maintaining optimal humidity between 40-60% is very important. And much harder than you think.

2) Get a nebulizer and hypertonic sailine, use it 2-3 times a day to thin mucus secretions (cystic fibrosis protocol)

3) Ambroxol if you can get it. Alternative is Albuterol nebulizer (need a prescription)

4) hot steamy shower, hot broth, coffee, tea....

SE

Rather profile image
Rather

PD weakens the muscles needed to cough up phlegm. Speech therapy helps with strengthening the air passages. There is a device that they have developed to help strengthen the muscles and it also helps to get the air to clear your throat. It is manufactured by Aspire company: EMST150 Expiratory Muscle Strength Trainer. You will need training on how to use it properly in order to derive the most benefits from it.

grandmama16 profile image
grandmama16

Hi there….this is the first time I’ve seen this mentioned. My hubby and I both have this problem but mostly a dry cough. He has PD and I have Fibromyalgia and Diabetes. We are in late 70’s in USA and live in a dry state. Could where we, you, live add to this cough? We have had 2 Covid shots last year this time but no more. Many of our kids have had Covid and are fine. Only 1 has a cough like ours that I know of. We don’t think it’ll ever go away.

chartist profile image
chartist in reply to grandmama16

High dose melatonin (HDM) has helped resolve long standing Covid cough and is generally good for the lungs via reduction of inflammation and oxidative stress. I have used HDM twice two rid myself of a chronic cough that lingered for months. I have gotten these coughs previously and they have lasted over a year, but with HDT they are gone in about a week.

Melatonin has also shown benefit for FMS, so it may interest you also.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/317...

Topical Mag Chloride Oil (MO) has also shown benefit for FMS. Spray it lightly on painful areas and rub it in. Helpful for relieving the joint and muscle pains.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/263...

Here is a link to a typical product :

amazon.com/Magnesium-Oil-Sp...

Oral magnesium that has high bioavailabilty such as magnesium glycinate may also be helpful for the FMS.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

N Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) thins phlegm and increases total antioxidant status of the body through multiple pathways. It increase glutathione levels also.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/307...

Art

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