1. Community
  2. Chest and lungs
  3. Bronchiectasis

physio treatment to help cough up phlem

Posted , 13 users are following.

andrew97653
andrew97653

Hi all I am 60 years old and was diagnosed with Bronchiectasis about 18 months ago following a persistent cough for 18 months.

I have never smoked and always been reasonably fit.

Following the diagnosis from the hospital the consultants letter advised I should be treated as asthmatic, however my new doctor does not seem to have read this letter and following 3 months of very bad coughing a suspected collapsed lung feeling very tired and numerous antibiotics I lost my temper. Hey presto the doctor read the letter and put me on 200 micrograms of Qvar Easi-Breathe once in the morning and once at night, within a few days I had stopped coughing.

However 3 moths on I have been struggling to breath and felt very tired all the time, the Qvar is helping and I am slowly getting better but feel I would be even better if I could cough something up, I read that you can get physio and lessons to help cough phlem up.

Has anyone had experience of this and does it work.

I am afraid I am reluctant to go back to the doctors as I have lost all confidence in him and the medical profession, I sometimes think I seem to know more about my condition than him.

Any helpful advice would be welcome.

1 like, 43 replies

43 Replies

Prev
  • dancing_queen
    dancing_queen andrew97653

    Posted

    Hi Andrew

    I use an "Acapello" or "Flutter". These are small pipe like instruments that, when you breathe into them, vibrate which (once you've mastered how to do the breathing) makes your lungs vibrate and loosens all the mucus in your lungs and brings it up very easily. it certainly helps you to breathe better. The bonus is you can use it as often as you like. I'm down to once a day now but I do it every day for about 10-15 minutes. It's become rountine in my life. I also take a teaspoon of Manuka Honey (one teaspoon) every day too, which I do believe has helped me. I haven't had a chest infection for over a year now.

    • andrew97653
      andrew97653 dancing_queen

      Posted

      Thanks dancing queen, at the moment I seem to be on top of it.

      as long as I control my environment , but as I have said previously dread the winter and getting a cold.

      i live by the sea so usually get quite good air which I suppose is a sort of saline nebuliser. But I know if the wind changes direction and blows from the land I get ill. I have found weather forecast sites that advice of pollution really useful as I have noticed I get worse when exposed to pollution.

      Andrew

    • lesley05714
      lesley05714 andrew97653

      Posted

      Hi Andrew,

      That is so interesting; I visited Clevedon on the Severn estuary and after breathing in the wonderful clear air, felt so good. Coming back to the Manchester was quite noticable in the effect on my lungs.

      Blessings,

      Lesley

  • lesley05714
    lesley05714 andrew97653

    Posted

    Hi Andrew,

    I do hope you are improving...how is your health?

    I have a general enquiry if anyone can help;

    I have been on regular medication for three months...250mg Azithromycin, 3 times a week, and Carbocisteine 375mg 3 every day. These seemed to make me feel well, although my afternoon flutter time brings up lots of thick green sputem... the specialist said to stop taking the Azithromycin and have a rest from antibiotics as he thought I looked a lot better..

    After three weeks with no antibiotics, my lungs now feel as if they are filling up and I am getting 'caught out' with coughing fits and sneezes, usually at the most inconvenient times.

    What shall I do? Can anyone give advice?

    I haven't another appointment with the specialist; I presume it will be three months again.

    Kind regards,

    Lesley

     

    • mary08543
      mary08543 lesley05714

      Posted

      My pulmonologist decided not to do the 3 times a week antibiotic with me after checking many sputum cultures. I clear lungs twice a day to attempt infections from starting. Also my doc gave me an on hand antibiotic so I can begin it sooner than later when sputum changes colors as thats always the indication that infection has begun.  I don't have too many coughing fits if I don';t have infection. Drink plenty of clear water, try clearing lungs twice a day, see your doctor again to give updates, try keeping a "wellness log" to track symptoms and record what you are doing as things start to blur after time. It sounds as if you are not in a managable state at this time and it could be better controlled. Its difficult because everyone is so different. Hang in there, good luck
    • Operalyn
      Operalyn lesley05714

      Posted

      If you have an infection Lesley you will need some antibiotics but my sputum varies from time to time and season to season.  My personal way of dealing with it is like mary - extra physio to clear my lungs.  If I see an infection on the way - because my sputum is more green, or much thicker, or smelly - I immediately step up with physio (or flutter - I don't use one myself) and sometimes that's enough.  Do you not have a supply of antiobiotics at home?  I always have some in so that if an infection starts I don't need to go to the GP.  Don't be embarrassed about coughing !  You can't help it.  And yes I know everybody looks at you - let 'em!  Mary has said it all really.  I hope you feel better soon.
    • lesley05714
      lesley05714 Operalyn

      Posted

      Thank you for the advice, Operalyn, I have some antibiotics at home but never thought to manage my own infection! and yes, I will have to not get embarassed when I have a coughing fit...although the last one was in the middle of a funeral and I was playing the organ, but I got through it ok between hymns.wink

      Blessings,

      Lesley

  • lesley05714
    lesley05714 andrew97653

    Posted

    Hi Andrew,

    I am 70 and found out that having a lay down about 30 minutes after lunch on my back, works as well as the flutter that the physio' lady gave me. In about 10/15 minutes I find I have to clear my throat and that does the trick; bit by bit it comes up so have your tissues to hand. I don't know if this works for anyone else, but this hot weather has meant that a rest has been so good after lunch and suprisingly.

    • dancing_queen
      dancing_queen lesley05714

      Posted

      Hi Lesley

      Yes. You are quite right. I am the same. If I lay down after eating it always causes me to start coughing and I, too, need to clear my throat. I never thought that others would be the same. 

    • andrew97653
      andrew97653 lesley05714

      Posted

      Hi Lesley,

      after a long wait I finally got to see the Physio nurse at the hospital,

      she explained my condition extremely well and instructed me in a technique to clear my lungs.

      WOW it works and for the first time ever  I have managed to clear my lungs when required, this as helped me so much I wish someone could of done it twelve months ago.

      i know my condition is not nearly  as bad as many people on this list but I am so pleased to finally being able to manage my condition.

      you seem to have found a method which works for you Lesley so hopefully you feel as pleased as I am.

    • lesley05714
      lesley05714 dancing_queen

      Posted

      Hi dancing queen,

      Someone told me...I think it was on this site somewhere...to clear your throat as opposed to coughing if at all possible as coughing can force the stuff back into the lungs. Now I am not sure that this is right, but it would save hurting the throat to clear it as opposed to coughing. This is only a theory and I am caught out so often with coughing fits, always it seems at the most embarrasing moments. rolleyes

      Kind regards,

      Lesley

  • lesley05714
    lesley05714 andrew97653

    Posted

    ...Hi Andrew,

    my last post disappeared while I was saying that a lay down after lunch was suprisingly productive...

    Kind Regards,

    Lesley

  • lesley05714
    lesley05714 andrew97653

    Posted

    Hi Andrew and Dancing queen,

    Off to see the doctor tomorrow; he is a great young fellow and listens! so important, and I try not to waste his time. Having said that, I hope I can sort out a sputum test and when to take antibiotics etc. I went back on them a week ago and feel so much better now. I'll let you know how it goes...

    How are you?

    Kind regards,

    Lesley

Back to top
Prev

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.