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Mucus plugs
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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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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1 ReactionThank 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
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
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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4 ReactionsDr McShane’s you tube video on airway clearance last year had good photos of sputum and mucous plugs/chunks.
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.
A clear cup like a solo cup gives you a better view of all.
Barbara
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2 Reactions@lilianna RE; Mucus Plugs
Wish it all were different for you...wish those plugs would leave you.
Are you the person who has a humidity reading device in the house?
I often wonder if there is something in our environment that is stronger than all we do to loosen the mucus/mucus plugs to come up.
I hope with all the boiling of water I have to do in the kitchen is also helping me keep the mucus loose. I have not bought a humidity reader due to the ease of my getting the mucus up...wish that you could say that.
A share:
So far I have not had a problem with what I also have done to counter act my forced air gas heating system that dries out the air/house. I have a hot plate that I place a large pot of water in my hallway. Sorry to say I have no pets in the house therefore I can do this. I keep it away from an outside wall. It is right next to my bedroom and slowly releases the steam/vapor. I start with cold tap water and first bring it to a rolling boil for ten minutes before lowering the temperature. I decided to do this rather than buy/clean etc. all the parts of a humidifier. I have a small house, comparatively speaking and that helps some with all this.
Question: When you wear an N95 mask and are breathing in your warm moist air does that not cause anything to want to come up and out. I ask because it does for me.
Barbara