Sputum-bronchiectasis

The sputum can taste and smell awful yes. Mine does when I have an infection. But the salty taste, I don't have. But I do have salty skin when it's hot and I'm sweating. Do you see a specialist? In BX? They would be more familiar with the symptoms than a regular family doctor. All the best.

Ann, apart from your GP do you see anyone else? Have you seen a respiratory specialist? I think it may be good if you did. You will get more specialised information from them - with respect, some GPs don't have a clue! My sputum tastes appalling at times - usually at the beginning of an infection.

Hi Ann

I've never had pseudomonas. Like you i believe that i had BX for several years before DX. Passed it off as progression of COPD.

I experience occasional salty sputum and tuna-like gunk. If the latter comes up infrequently i don't worry; if constant, i call my pulmonologost and we start some ABs.

@ann93380 Hello Ann,  I don’t get a salty taste, but I absolutely concur there are times when the sputum tastes much worse than others, both from my sinuses and my chest. It’s really awful. I’m sorry you are struggling. It sounds like you’re doing everything in your power to stay healthy. Good for you!

I have colonized MSSA, and regularly cough up grayish/green sputum. Normally, there's no foul smell or taste. But when the infection's active, it turns lime green and tastes horrible.

I also have never experienced a salty taste ... but I also don't cut back on salt. Perhaps I'm more desensitized to the salt taste - and would notice it if I had less salt in my diet?

I use saline in my nebulizer and with my inhaled antibiotic so everything tastes extra salty.  Food in general doesn’t taste good and I have a bad taste in my mouth 

I am surprised your doctor has never had another patient comment on a bad taste that can be a sign of an infection. Is your doctor a pulmonologist? I don't know about the salty taste but if you don't ever salt your food then maybe you have forgotten the taste of salt (in a sense) and are confusing it with the taste of infection. Sometimes I can even smell the infection. But as soon as I start an antibiotic it goes away so that seems indicative of an infection. Which makes me wonder why your doctor won't give you an antibiotic just in case you are right and that it is an infection. I know that taking an antibiotic too often can backfire on us but in this case I see no reason for it not to be tried at least once.

BTW, i'm not a salt avoider. I use much less when cooking for the last several decades, but i still use it and when my sputum is salty, that's what i taste. I also use saline nasal mist plus 3% saline nebs x 3 daily.

I have had BX for 65 years. I can tell instantly when I an infection starting by the bad taste and smell.I see a BX specialist at the hospital every six months. They keep checking me over, make sure I have the right inhalers and I'm using them properly. I often see the physio at the same time who keeps encouraging me to do my breathing exercises for clearing my lungs. The consultant also  issued me with a course of anti biotics which I keep at home to use as soon as I detect an infection.

It's not a pleasant condition to live with. I get through loads of mints to try to keep my breath fresh when I'm in company, follow all the advice I've been given and hopefully i'll survive for many years to come.