Constant "Sputum" Possible Fungul Infection Thrush

I can't take protein shake/powder. Once I take it, I feel like a mucus producing machine. I stopped using it, although I sometimes put Boost in my coffee. I produce mucus after eating too. Going to check GERD for that next month. I'm also not good with whole mile/pea milk which produce too much mucus. I really miss half & half in my coffee.

Yes, any type of protein powder added to oat milk or non diary milk causes me the same thing. I made oatmilk and had it without the protein powder and it did not cause as much mucus. I may try to do less protein powder in the shake and see what happens. Good term "Mucus producing Machine."
I was checked for Gerd, the 24 hour nose tube and monitor system. No Gerd per their reading of the test results.
I have no typical symptoms for Gerd. Always good to test for possible answers. By the time I am "tested out" I will have seen just about every specialist one can see. BUT....better safe than sorry and I'd rather error on the side of caution.
I miss my once in a blue moon coffee with cream also....
I also miss terribly not having to think about what I should or shouldn't eat. 😛
Thanks for your input.

I also have that problem and it turned out to be silent reflux. Dairy is a trigger for me. I do better with a plant based protein powder in almond milk. Mucus after eating can sure be silent reflux caused by acid/pepsin in the diet. I follow Dr. Jamie Kaufman's diet outlined in her book Dropping Acid.

Thank you. She has some credentials per my readings.
Going to see if the Library has the Dropping Acid available.

I’d sure like to know if you have resolution on this subject. I too have tested and been found to have no GERDS. As this seems to have been the case with you as well, and just like you, from what I read, you are extremely productive with your airway clearances and also with a constant coating in your throat. I am at a loss to understand, why on earth, matters related to the stomach and what we consume as food and drink has anything to do with what our lungs are producing due to BX and in my case a MAC. Both of which have remained (supposedly) at low levels for two years.
Thanks if you have any thoughts or experiences you’d like to share.

Hi- I have known this and again the more I read the more it confirms, it appears, our stomach and gut health is related to the lungs as well as our overall health. It does make sense to me.
I very much do stay away from the foods and treats we are told to avoid if we have Acid Reflux. I'd rather do that since it isn't that hard for me to do. Now, having said that, I do have a small piece of chocolate once in a blue moon.
The one thing I was told at NJH in Denver after the gastroenterologist tests is that I have a small hiatal hernia but not Acid Reflux. It appears, from my reading and information I have listened to, that the hiatal hernia can also cause one to have an overproduction of mucus and cause one to want to and have to constantly clear the throat of sputum/mucus. I hesitate but I would like to possibly have all the same tests done again but no matter what the cause there is no good true fix and cure just avoidance of certain foods and PPI's that cause other problems and can actually worsen the problem if you have acid reflux.
So far for me, also, the MAI infection is staying at a low level. I believe I have had the infection for at least two to three years before I found out about having BE and then the infection. My Oct. 2024 tests showed I had some improvement, as shown on the last CScan, with the BE, less inflammation in one area of the lungs but new plugging in the lower lung. Somewhat the case of "Can't win for losing".
I keep having to talk to myself and encourage myself because this is so frustrating and life changing. I truly am fortunate and tell myself constantly, "At least I have no aches and pains."
I really have no answers for you or I except keep clearing it with all we know to do. What fun! I am trying to help myself to do as Sue suggested and as well as my pulmonologist said, swallow it. So when I can I will swallow but I psychologically feel better when I get it up and out and can see what I am bringing up. I use a clear Solo cup to see what it is that comes up and is somewhat encouraging when I do see mucus and mucus plugs. Much also appears to be moisture in the way of white foamy, bubbly coming up and out....the moisture in the lungs.
Hope this was not too long of sharing "thoughts and experiences".
Barbara

what kind of protein shakes are these; are they plant based or milk based? I buy Orgain- pea based. For the last month I have hoarse voice, almost cannot talk- when I saw a gastrologist, I was told my vocal cords were fine but I have gastric reflux and was prescribed 20 mg of Omeprazole. So far after a week of Omeprazole my voice is still the same. Has anyone experienced loss of voice with GERD?

Barbara, my mind is blown. This - “hiatal hernia can also cause one to have an overproduction of mucus” - is an incredible insight. This morning I have been reading about this and I will now pursue remedies for this.
I have an upcoming NJH visit and have "MyChart" talked to my gastroenterologist. I thought that because I had the Bravo capsule test with result = No GERDS that I would let him know. This is what I wrote to him today. (below) And, please know how grateful I am for your further discussion with me! ----
Dear Doctor,
I’m coming to NJH for the team approach to help me and I really want to just put myself in your investigative hands. This morning in my Mayo Clinic BX/MAC support group I read - "hiatal hernia can also cause one to have an overproduction of mucus". A year ago pulmonology considered my annual CT scan and it revealed "small hiatal hernia" it was 100% skipped over as a contributing factor. So, please forgive me for second guessing what I need. After discovering this hiatal hernia link this morning, I'm hopeful that my excessively productive mucus might not all be due to BX/MAC.
I'm hopeful that you will be able to investigate/diagnose and treat! Minimally invasive hernia repair? or, therapeutic exercise to strengthen the specific muscles of the diaphragm? I appreciate your attention to my case! Sincerely, Pat

All so interesting. I have a 2cm hiatal hernia and GERD. I have bronchiectasis and had treatment for NTM. Cleared that but a year later it has returned. This time they say it is Abscessus. They think they will put me on Amikaycin. I do not like the side effects associated with that. I was bad enough when I was on the 'big 3' every day for 14 months! Has anyone has Amikaycin and avoided deafness and kidney damage? I still work and not want to have to take time off. Onwards and upwards. Good luck to everybody.

If you are able to I would love to know what you will do, hear, be told and find out via NJH.
I was not told by the doctor(s} at NJH that a hiatal hernia could cause overproduction of mucus. It took much research in the last couple of years to learn about hiatal hernias and BE, MAC/MAI etc.
Barbara