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Mucus plugs

Posted by lilianna @lilianna, Aug 14 7:51am

We all write about AC and how some of us cough up mucus plugs. When you produce little to nothing mucus from deep of your lungs but cough up tiny brown specs with clear mucus, are these mucus plugs? How big or small they may be? I look into my clear solo cup and see little/ tiny dark specks of mucus plugs? Thank you

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Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Aug 17 11:55am
In reply to @blm1007blm1007 "@spider109,@cwal,@pacathy,@brittany123 Yes when you google, as shown below, you can find two different understandings of where..." + (show)
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@spider109,@cwal,@pacathy,@brittany123
Yes when you google, as shown below, you can find two different understandings of where one would find what is called mucus plugs.
Ours, from the lungs.
@spider109 I would be interested in knowing why your pulmonologist said "Oh you don't have mucus plugs". It is a common known fact with having BE that we will have mucus plugs. If we have snake like tubes/airways with damages due to BE of the lungs. Mucus sits there if not cleared and forms a plug that we have to get up and out. My lead doctor at NJH and an excellent P Therapist at Tyler informed me of our having mucus plugs and I sure can see them with clearing it all out with the huff coughing.
Barbara

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I try to avoid general statements like "It is a common known fact with having BE that we will have mucus plugs" because everyone is different. My pulmonologist closely analyzes each CT scan to see if she can find any mucus plugs on the image. If they are there, it is a sign I need to up my airway clearance and/or saline.

Since this conversation began, I have switched from my usual paper towel for disposing of mucus to a specimen cup. Nope, no plugs - and none in the last specimen that went to the lab. I attribute this current lack of plugs to the effectiveness of the Symbicort in helping control both the spasms and inflammation in my airways, so I trap less mucus.

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blm1007blm1007 | @blm1007blm1007 | Aug 17 1:23pm
In reply to @sueinmn "I try to avoid general statements like "It is a common known fact with having BE..." + (show)
Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor @sueinmn

I try to avoid general statements like "It is a common known fact with having BE that we will have mucus plugs" because everyone is different. My pulmonologist closely analyzes each CT scan to see if she can find any mucus plugs on the image. If they are there, it is a sign I need to up my airway clearance and/or saline.

Since this conversation began, I have switched from my usual paper towel for disposing of mucus to a specimen cup. Nope, no plugs - and none in the last specimen that went to the lab. I attribute this current lack of plugs to the effectiveness of the Symbicort in helping control both the spasms and inflammation in my airways, so I trap less mucus.

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Thank you Sue...for letting me know under some circumstances not all will have mucus plugs. Glad to know about your experience and what the Symbicort is helping you with and all....
I appreciate your input and help to point these things out.
Wish I could say the same, I apparently trap a good amount of mucus in my airways. I have plugs every day. I do feel fine, no shortness of breath so far.
Again, thanks for your input.
Barbara

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spider109 | @spider109 | Aug 17 1:58pm
In reply to @blm1007blm1007 "@spider109,@cwal,@pacathy,@brittany123 Yes when you google, as shown below, you can find two different understandings of where..." + (show)
Profile picture for blm1007blm1007 @blm1007blm1007

@spider109,@cwal,@pacathy,@brittany123
Yes when you google, as shown below, you can find two different understandings of where one would find what is called mucus plugs.
Ours, from the lungs.
@spider109 I would be interested in knowing why your pulmonologist said "Oh you don't have mucus plugs". It is a common known fact with having BE that we will have mucus plugs. If we have snake like tubes/airways with damages due to BE of the lungs. Mucus sits there if not cleared and forms a plug that we have to get up and out. My lead doctor at NJH and an excellent P Therapist at Tyler informed me of our having mucus plugs and I sure can see them with clearing it all out with the huff coughing.
Barbara

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Yes Barbara I wholeheartedly agree, what else could it be!!! Those white small eraser shaped solid things in my sputum at times. I think my Pulmonologist that told me that (UVM not Mayo Jax) isn’t very well versed in BE. I know she primarily deals with COPD, Pulmonary Fibrosis, and other ILD’s. Thank you for your reply Barbara

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irenea8 | @irenea8 | Aug 18 7:25am

If you are not sure you have mucus plugs then you do not have them. They could not be more clear when they cough up and out. They are not tiny specs.

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mmhadcock | @mmhadcock | Aug 18 10:34am

Dr McShane’s you tube video on airway clearance last year had good photos of sputum and mucous plugs/chunks.

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sheila7a | @sheila7a | Aug 19 7:40am

I learn something new every time.
I've just been spitting in small trash can. I don't even bother to check
sputum..
Now I will use paper cup and take a look.

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1 reply
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blm1007blm1007 | @blm1007blm1007 | Aug 19 8:36am
In reply to @sheila7a "I learn something new every time. I've just been spitting in small trash can. I don't..." + (show)
Profile picture for sheila7a @sheila7a

I learn something new every time.
I've just been spitting in small trash can. I don't even bother to check
sputum..
Now I will use paper cup and take a look.

Jump to this post

A clear cup like a solo cup gives you a better view of all.
Barbara

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