← Return to Begin coughing up mucus before I even get out of bed in the morning

Discussion
Comment receiving replies
@scoop

I feel your pain. Coughing is so disruptive and everyone around you thinks you're ill with some contagion. I've gotten into the habit of clearing before I leave the house for any event. I also keep a supply of Luden's Wild Cherry lozenges in my pocket. According to Sue, the pectin in the lozenges help with coughing. I have found this to be true as long as I have also cleared my lungs. It's amazing, even the smallest amount of mucus/phlegm seems to cause coughing. Talking also leads to coughing for me. Dr. McShane (airway clearance video posted on this site) explains why.

Since you are coughing so much I would suggest increasing the nebulization with 7% saline to 2 times a day. First thing in a.m. and then again in p.m. If you find you're too tired for the p.m. try to squeeze it in around 4pm before dinner prep etc. Then you could try some ACoB or AD before bed. It takes time to perfect your technique. Personally, I would be proactive to remove airway mucus and not depend on coughing fits as airway clearance.

What has worked well for me especially is autogenic drainage. I used to use the AD app but I found that was a waste of time after consulting with a RT. I no longer use aerobika, unless I get desperate.

Start here if you have not learned autogenic drainage. Hope this is somewhat helpful.
https://bronchiectasis.com.au/resources/airway-clearance-videos
PS - I know there are differing opinions on exercise replacing airway clearance. Some people can get away with this substitution. I am not one of those. My very experienced RT who has worked with CF and bronchiectasis for decades says a resounding no, but maybe you will be among the people who can get away with it.

Jump to this post


Replies to "I feel your pain. Coughing is so disruptive and everyone around you thinks you're ill with..."

Thank you for the good advice and the airway clearance videos. I think I will experiment with the autogenic drainage. It’s so weird to me that I go to a top rated hospital in LA for my pulmonologist and ID doctor and they are rated like third in my state, and yet they never talk about airway clearance or RT who could teach me this. I get all my ideas from sites like this one! Thanks again.