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Just wondering about the "death rattle" breathing....

Posted , 7 users are following.

murphs
murphs

I've been drinking tons of water and excercising everyday to keep my lungs clear.  I sleep 9 hours every night and usually take a nap.  Yesterday I napped for 2 hours.  I'm lucky to be able to do that,  but,  I'm still getting the death rattle breathing.  Is that Normal?  Does that mean that I'm not clearing my lungs enough?  i cough up a lot in the morning.  I don't have an infection right now.  I have mild B in both lungs.  Am I supposed to regularly have the rattle breathing? It's not all the time but frequent.

I'm seeing my specialist in August and will ask her about the nebuliser and flutter valve.  My primary doc just told me to take warm showers.  

I've been getting it more lately . I will also ask bout the physio too.  

1 like, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • Operalyn
    Operalyn murphs

    Posted

    Murphs - love your description! I always call it a rattle too - my doctor calls it crackles. It means that you still have some mucus down there. This is why it's necessary to do physio and take your time over it (not that I always do but I suffer for it!). If you don't know how I hope you get to see a physio soon.

    I have rattled all my life - sometimes worse than others. I find dairy products increase the mucus levels so that might be worth trying to cut them back.

    Getting those lungs clear daily is the key. They always fill up again so it's no good hoping they will stay clear.

    Good luck! Once you get a routine hopefully you can live a normal life with a few restrictions. I have lived with this since I was a toddler and it's not always easy but I have done most of what I want to do.

  • sam90709
    sam90709 murphs

    Posted

    Hi murphs

    Operalyn is spot on, sounds like you're not clear and it's  always our target to get as  clear as possible.

    There are all sorts of different techniques to getting the lungs clear but if I could make an easy and simple suggestion that was gifted to me by a physio at the royal Brompton ... 

    Take a few normal breaths in a relaxed way, then a few deep and hold breaths then a deep breath in through your nose and breathe slowly out through your wide open mouth. When you do that last deep breath you will  almost certainly hear the rattle and you may feel it "move" in your lines as you dislodge some gunk.

    To me it feels like I can "Chase" the rattle around and it will get wetter  and wetter  until - as late as you can - you cough and a lot comes up at once. Wiggling your chest / sitting  or lying in  different positions can help bring it up as well.

    The great thing about this - for me- is that you can do it wherever. Walking along, big breath, hold it, wiggle of the chest... Hey presto out it comes. The trick is the big slow exhale. Really gets the rattle going.

    It's apparently called Active Cycle of Breathing.

    Good luck, stay well

    S

    • murphs
      murphs sam90709

      Posted

      Hi Sam,

      Thanks for the breathing techniques.  I'm rereading your message and trying it again.  Stinks when you wake up and can't clear your lungs.

                                              Be well,   

                                                                 m

  • Mysticzam
    Mysticzam murphs

    Posted

    I've been like this for 3 weeks Doctor checked my lungs no infection. Have to increase my inhaler intake. Have to go back if crackles get worse. I feel like @@@@ everyday and finding it hard at work. I having problems clearing my lungs too.
    • murphs
      murphs Mysticzam

      Posted

      It's the worst.  Woke up with it again today.  Hope you are feeling better.
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