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7% and excessive phlegm

Posted by ritapearl @ritapearl, Sep 9, 2022

I have been using 3% saline for years for bronchitis and MAC.I am adjusting to 7% slowly since I had bleeds in the past.I know the positives of bringing up the phlegm but now it never stops.It is making me weak and I am having trouble gaining weight.It seems one step forward and then back

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deb2727 | @deb2727 | Jan 1 11:01pm
In reply to @blm1007blm1007 "Yes I have had the tests at National Jewish Health and the sweat test was fine...." + (show)
@blm1007blm1007

Yes I have had the tests at National Jewish Health and the sweat test was fine. Main finding was the small hiatal hernia and MAI.
Medicine has advanced to what it is today and in reality it is wonderful what they can do and help us with....however as we know they don't have all the answers and we don't have them either. Would love to know the why but may never have the answer.
I believe I produce much more sputum than what you have mentioned. I haven't measured it and probably should.
Barbara

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Did your increase in sputum start after you started your program of airway clearance? Do you feel it is from the saline? I have told my 2 doctors at NJH and they are not suggesting it is from airway clearance but something they do not have the answer to. But it is so related so how can it not be the cause? I am going to cut back and see what happens if I do that. It is hard to do though mentally and physically but I am going to do an experiment and see if I can get this excessive phlegm to stop.

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blm1007blm1007 | @blm1007blm1007 | Jan 2 10:08am
In reply to @deb2727 "Did your increase in sputum start after you started your program of airway clearance? Do you..." + (show)
@deb2727

Did your increase in sputum start after you started your program of airway clearance? Do you feel it is from the saline? I have told my 2 doctors at NJH and they are not suggesting it is from airway clearance but something they do not have the answer to. But it is so related so how can it not be the cause? I am going to cut back and see what happens if I do that. It is hard to do though mentally and physically but I am going to do an experiment and see if I can get this excessive phlegm to stop.

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Interesting question " Did your increase in sputum start after you started your program of airway clearance?"
I had not thought about the increase with the introduction of getting moisture into our airways/lungs as a possible reason for the increase I have experienced after starting the program and my visit to NJH. However, now that you ask that, it could be related. Yes, it did increase greatly after starting the therapy suggested for BE/MAI. The moisture loosens the mucus/phlegm and it MIGHT be part of our answer for the increase in the daily, constant clearing of it out, in our case. I keep hoping that with further time of doing the therapy/airway clearance it will begin to subside with improvement, meaning with less mucus plugging, less inflammation, less infection and removal of any "old" build up of mucus. Hopeful!
So glad you posted about your experience with the constant sputum so that we know we aren't alone in having this problem. We are of the few that do have this problem verses others who can't get anything up. So, for now.....I am glad I bring it up and can get it out and I am learning how to live with it. P.S. I chew a small piece of stick gum which does seem to help get it to somewhat subside. Not that gum won't cause a problem also, but I need relief.
Barbara

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