1. Community
  2. Chest and lungs
  3. Bronchiectasis

Really bad lung state only in the morning

Posted , 12 users are following.

alouette
alouette

Hey, I've been wondering if anyone had the same problems as me. The doctors have no idea how to explain this. You know how they always tell you to give sputum in the morning? Well, for me, productive cough is not possible until abbout 4-5 hours into my day. When I wake up, my lungs feel dry and sensitive and inelastic, as if they were made of plastic. I have bronchiectasis with a productive cough, but it only happens in  the afternoon and evening.

Another problem is, I recently started physiotherapy, which is always in the morning, and this feels so forced upon my lungs, yesterday I woke up with small stabbing sensations all over my lower lobes. What is happening? I barely cough anything out after the morning physio. The doctors keep convincing me this is crucial, but it only brings me more suffering. I'm tired enough because of work, going to physiotherapy every day only makes me more exhausted and then my lungs start hurting.

The dr suspected asthma at first, but the medication does not change anything. The only possibility left is mild or atypical CF, but I'm yet to do tests on that. Is there anyone with a similar problem?

0 likes, 18 replies

18 Replies

Next
  • Stixlabushka
    Stixlabushka alouette

    Posted

    Hi alouette,

    I feel your pain and hope you have good days.

    The lack of phlegm in the morning would be lack of movement.

    The physio is the best thing for you, it gets the phlegm moving and loose. Hence the product ionic the arvo.

    How long have you been diagnosed with bronch?

    Are /have you got airway clearance exercises?

    Have you a good diet? You use almost twice as much energy whilst coughing and having bronch.

    Chances are the stabbing pain is just muscle spasm or just a pain in the ribs. Ask your doc about some anti inflammation meds.

    Happy to chat

    • alouette
      alouette Stixlabushka

      Posted

      Hi Stixlabushka, thanks a lot for your reply.

      I'm almost 30 and I've had bx for more than 15 years. It's become more advanced lately. Physio in the morning doesn't feel good at all. I generally don't move when I'm at home, but around 1pm all the phlegm suddenly starts working and then I can finally take a deep breath. Up until that point it's terrible.

      I do know some airway clearance exercises, but, as I said, I have no problems with clearance, except in the morning. And nothing helps - only nebulized saline and bisolvon help a little. Physical stress also causes this problem, on working days it's like I have plastic for lungs and on weekends it's a completely different story.

      That's why a mild form of CF is a theory, becuase it feels a lot like the mucus dehydrates during the night or something like that.

    • Stixlabushka
      Stixlabushka alouette

      Posted

      I've had it all my life.

      40 now, I managed really well between 25-36 then I had a major relapse till now. The docs could not get a handle on it. I'd have a slight couch and basically pneumonia sitting in my lungs. I don't cough much considering.

      I stay super active s possible, and rest when I need to. I don't go near anyone with a cold and stay warm.

      As someone had already said we are all different and present with different symptoms.

      Also I saw a social worker / physiologist for several months which helped with my head which in turn helped with my lungs.

      I do hope you turn a corner, and find some answers.

      Breathe well

  • madeleine89263
    madeleine89263 alouette

    Posted

    Hi Alouette

    My doctor has told me that if I bring up a sputum sample in the afternoon I can take it myself to the local hospital path lab, is that an option for you?  Sorry to hear about your discomfort, being newly diagnosed I have no other input. 

    Madeleine

    • alouette
      alouette madeleine89263

      Posted

      Thanks Madeleine, that's exaclty what I do. smile I only used that as an example to demonstrate how no one seems to understand how I can't bring anything up in the a.m. Do you have the same problem?
  • sylvia91360
    sylvia91360 alouette

    Posted

     physiotherapy can help some people, but for some one like me who has had bronchiectasis for 77 years had little affect, i am a retired post lady and started work at five in the morning till ten and  never sat down till i got home, that was the best physiotherapy for me, for the rest of the day i would cough my self silly and get rid of  all the gunge in my lungs without any discomfort. although my lungs have got worse now, i do try and take the dog out for walks( weather permitting )every morning,and the medication they have these days help loosen the phlegm from ones lungs without it being to much of an ordeal. but saying that, what suits one person does not suit another, its all trial and error with brochiectsas.
  • cuddles1
    cuddles1 alouette

    Posted

    Hi Alouette, I also have no good sputum to cough up untill the afternoon, I think we are all different with this and what works for some may not work for you. Like, the phiso said to sit up straight when using utter valve, but for me, I need to lay on my back and the mucus will settle. You are the one who knows your body best and its okay to try different things. The docs can suggest, but there may be a better way for you.

    Karyn

  • 4jean
    4jean alouette

    Posted

    Yes like many, I have little or no sputum in the mornings but this hasn't always been the case. Since taking azithromycin 3 times a week I have very little anyway except when I have a infection.
  • judy09425
    judy09425 alouette

    Posted

    Hi I have more in the morning when I get up I have bronchiectasis /asthma get a lot of pain in my lungs
  • Russell27NOLA
    Russell27NOLA alouette

    Posted

    To you all, I just had a discussion with my pulmonoligist yesterday. He is encouraging me to try to ge the sputum up in the morning or during the day. I think I mentioned that I seem to get it up very easily in the evening, usually 15 cc. everytime. It's like Ole Faithful in there. I try in the morning or afternnon and  there is no sputum, maybe becasue it's all coming up in the evening before I go to bed. Everybody seems to a bit different. I like the exercise connection that Sylvia mentioned. Also, a great example for me that it's possible to go alnoe with BRX if it is controlled.

    Russ

  • madeleine89263
    madeleine89263 alouette

    Posted

    It is the same for me Aloutte, varies a lot though...very frustrating.  This forum is really interesting, there's so many degrees of bx, I'm learning a lot.

    Madeleine

  • Russell27NOLA
    Russell27NOLA alouette

    Posted

     Alouette hi, I have a ost below from last week for your discission. I want to ask a question of the group: how much phlegm in oz .or ml. are you guys able to expressed during a day? As I said below for me it is 15ml each evening with no real, umless I'm getting sick.

    I see the Infectious Disease doctor in the morning, to see about a longer run of antibiotics per the BRX protocols. Wish me luck. 

    Hope you are all well.

    Russ

     

    • alouette
      alouette Russell27NOLA

      Posted

      Hi Russell, sorry for the late reply.

      Well, I can't tell. I think I cough up a lot more than that, probably something like 30ml. I have moderate to severe bronchiectasis and a chronic bacterial infection. Without the bacterial infection it would be a lot less, I think.

  • Operalyn
    Operalyn alouette

    Posted

    I can't do physio in the morning either. I always take time after lunch and really relax into it. When I was at work I did in just after my evening meal.

    Hope this helps.

  • HAYDON
    HAYDON alouette

    Posted

    The amount of phlegm I cough up varies from day to day.

    some days I do breathing exercise ie lying on side, breathing deeply then coughing.

    Some days I just use inhaler once a day.

    i have mild Bx.

    I am following the Stem Cell developments.

    think they will come into use for all soon.

    There are amazing breakthroughs using stem cells in other conditions.

Back to top
Next

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.