Im having chest pains & Phlegm in my throat but no cold
Posted , 6 users are following.
)/A while ago I thought I had a chest infection & a cold but because there was phlegm in my throat I went to my doctor because I was having sharp pains in my chest
I went to my doctor who examined my chest & told me it was clear -I was told that because of the chest pains it was just muscular but no suggestions as to why the phlegm was rattling in my throat
Because there was no improvement my went back a few times & was told the same diagnosis but still no answer as to why the phelgm was there. Im coughing a little & its green sometimes I feel it coming up through my throat & its stringy & still green
Despite a sputum test that was deeemed clear
Today (9/9/2019) I went for a chest xray & I asked to see the xray for myself & could see it was clear so I know that s what the diagnosis will be & that the receptionist will say "I dont know Im just going off what I see hear)
None of the doctors have given me any answer as to the phlegm issue -which isnt good enough because I think that phlegm would only be stuck in your throat if you have a cold or chest infection (I think- by going off past experience
Ive got to a stage where I suspect this will go on for ages & ages & am close to slitting my own throat to drain it all out then sewing it back up again
Its not good enough for a doctor to not know the answer to a query like this -its their job to know things like this not just fob off with an I dont know it subside & your chest is clear everytime & that s what theyll say when they see the picture
I'm going to keep going to my doctor regularly & say that I know my chest its clear & DEMAND THEY FIND OUT WHY I HAVE THIS PHLEGM IN MY THROAT WHEN I DONT HAVE A COLD & MAKE IT CLEAR ITS NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO JUST SAY i DONT KNOW -IM GOING TO DEMAND THEY GIVE ME A CLEAR DIAGNOSIS OR IM SLITTING MY THROAT SLIGHTLY TO DRAIN IT OFF MYSELF
1 like, 23 replies
ptolemy sarajo
Posted
Do you think it is caused by an allergy such as being lactose intolerant or you may have acid reflux?
sarajo ptolemy
Posted
Hi Ptolemy
Funny you should mention allergy -Im not having acid reflux & definitely not lactose intolerant -
I brought up the subject with Dr Tonge because my mum was banging on about my bedroom being dusty & tried to suggest to her that maybe I could be allergic to it & she didnt know so I discussed allergy tests with her & she said it was too early at this stage
moon53540 sarajo
Posted
where about are the chest pains and are you getting palpitations or breathing issues? Is the phlegm ever pink or red?
sarajo moon53540
Posted
Hi there Moon53540
No no i'm not having palpitations the chest pains seem to be in the middle Im not getting breathing issues apart from the usual stuffed up in a mornings -but thats normal for me . I saw Dr Tonge today & told her about it & the xray & she didnt know which surprised me to me fair -you'd have expect any doctor to know what it would be down to & give a diagnosis wouldnt you really??!!
My phegm is green (particularly in the mornings when its very green but it goes a little lighter green during the day -but the green is still present & always elasticated rather than watery -even during the day -its never been pink or red
She pressed me in various places to ask if I had the sharp pains I was telling her about & the only pains there were was the usual pains when you press someone in the places she pressed
I told her when they came along ie if I sneeze or breathe in hard & she thought maybe it was to do with my sinuses (to with the phlegm i mean-& I thought she said pressing down on my chest - but didnt seem logical to me but shes given me beconase spray for 6 weeks to see if it gets rid of the cattarh then go back if I need to-
From my experience using beconase years ago when i bought it over the counter all it did for me was make me more stuffed up & hurt my nose so i doubt it will fix it so all in all Im never going to know what it is
moon53540 sarajo
Posted
If your phlegm is green it would indicate you may have a bacterial infection. Have you had any antibiotics?
murphymycat moon53540
Posted
Sorry, it is not that simple.
You are on patient.info which is a massive source of useful and accurate information. please read the following from this site
"when should we worry about excess or a strange colour of mucus? Should yellow or green never be seen?
These colours are perfectly normal if your body is fighting off a cold. And contrary to popular belief, green mucus does not mean you've got a bacterial infection. So you usually don't need to ask your doctor for antibiotics."
please understand that the body is a very complex piece of equipment and there are a million and one things that can go wrong. Fortunately most of them will get better on their own. One of the most difficult things for a GP to tell you while you are sitting in front of them in the surgery is whether an infection is viral or bacterial.
Have a good read of the article, search on "green mucus" or something. it is really helpful. Unfortunately symptoms like yours can be persistent and difficult to shift, as I know from experience.
Have you tried steam inhalations? A very old fashioned remedy but a good one. Even the hospitals use it! All you need is a bowl of hot water and a towel. It wont "cure" your infection but should help loosen up the mucus and make you feel better. The addition of Olbas oil may help but dont use too much if you are not used to it.
Hope this helps
sarajo murphymycat
Posted
Hello Murphymycat
Yes it does help Actually my doctor has given me penicillin called Co-Amoxiclav tablets 500/125mg to be taken one 3 times a day so we ll see what happens she told me its the strongest antibiotics they are allowed to give
Ive got my xray on 10th october so Im hoping that these will have improved & will show an improvement on the results of it ( ive been given 21 tablets) so prsumably they will have been taken before the xray is due to be carried out
moon53540 murphymycat
Posted
I said "this would indicate you "may" have a bacterial infection" I never said it as a fact, more as a possibility or suggestion.
sarajo moon53540
Posted
Hello
Ok -I appreciate your reply sorry if I misunderstood you
moon53540 sarajo
Posted
Hi sarajo, I was actually replying to murphymycat, as they seemed to be having a go at my reply. I was only defending what I wrote, I wasn't having a go at anyone. You have nothing to apologise for. 😃
sarajo moon53540
Posted
Ok its possible Im doing my replies incorrectly i'll make sure I read the conversations correctly
sarajo
Posted
Yes I've had them before & discussed this with Dr Tonge & suggested maybe antibiotics & she gave me the Beconase which Ive got to take 2 sprays per day 2 in the morning & 2 before bedtime as she told me it would get rid of the phlegm (at least it better do anyway lol)
Jeanie2222 sarajo
Posted
As a nurse..and hearing everything that the doctors have potentially ruled out..I would be looking into allergies or sinusitis, acute or chronic..as it pertains to the secretions in your throat. Post nasal drip during the night could be the cause. And..as for the sharp chest pains..could be caused by minor inflammation..especially if you are coughing or throat clearing..in an attempt to rid your throat of secretions. I truly hope you are joking about slitting your own throat to drain secretions. And..I don't advise telling your doctor that..even if you are joking. Where I live..saying something like that would be of deep concern to a doctor and he would have the court commit you for a psychological evaluation.
sarajo Jeanie2222
Posted
Hello Jeanne 2222
Yes of course I was joking about slitting my throat I'm too sensible for that. It was a desperate reply to not getting what I've known all along
Peterloo have phoned me up to. say my xray results are in & there is a possible infection - I've suspected this all along
The very fact I've been asked to go in the same day suggests one of 2things - to have a camera inserted in me & I know how that is done because mum has had it done
Or Being told I'm being admitted.
I'm really scared because it must be bad if I've got a same day appointment
Another thing that I can't believe is that 6 doctors have all examined my chest & all have said it was clear. If a stethoscoscope detects a chest infection then how is it at least ONE of them hasn't spotted it? _I failed to understand it
Are you able to tell me why? I d appreciate your observations
I'm going to put this discrepancy to the doctor I'm seeing to find out why it's taken an xray to finally find out that I've got an infection
I'm glad I decided to get an xray because if I didn't I'd hate to think it could ve been worse
sarajo Jeanie2222
Posted
Hello Jeanne please see my full reply to you
OF COURSE I WAS JOKING WHEN I SAID THAT!! Surely no matter where a nurse/doctor lives they'd do that (if I'd meant it)!!
&HAVE NO WORRIES I WON'T TELL THEM I SAID THAT!!
sarajo Jeanie2222
Posted
Hi Jeanie2222
I sent you a message (in you private box- sorry about that i thught it was going to show on the site
To let you know I spoke to the doctor today (13/9) who told me the results of my xray was that they found a dark spot on my lungs & was called in for an appointment . She gave me some antibiotics specially designed for a chest infection ( DOXYCYCLINE) to be taken 2 on the first day -so I took one at lunchtime & Im going to have one with my tea & then for the next 6 days got to take 1 daily & then after that have a repeat x ray & wait for the result. If they clear it then great -if not Im going to be referred to a respiration specialist
the thought of it scares me because my lungs have always been healthy -I dont smoke Im not allergiv to anything & although ive had chest infections before (confimed by stethoscope in the past) where this one wasnt) Ive been given amoxycilin whether it be one lot or more than one lot & its usually gone
Im glad for sure I agreed to go for an xray -Im annoyed its taken 5 doctors to suggest I go for an xray -all of the others have just examined my chest & just said it was clear
If an x ray hadnt been suggested god knows how ill I could ve been & glad for sure I went for it