@ilovedaisies
Hello Linda,
I have asthma too and for the last couple years, I had excess phlegm and trouble getting rid of it. I also have TOS Thoracic outlet syndrome which creates a physical problem with breathing and I work on that in physical therapy, but half of my rib cage wasn't expanding properly because of tight muscles. Sometimes asthma phlegm is caused by some type of low grade infection, and I have found that to be true in my case. I've had some reoccurring chest infections that seemed to start in my sinuses, and I also use a saline rinse bottle. I take generic Mucinex to thin the mucous so it's easier to expel. I haven't seen anyone at Mayo for this, but I had spine surgery there 2 years ago. Before surgery, they had me treat my nose by putting Mupirocin ointment in the nostrils to kill any staph infections. I had some left and I tried it when I had breathing issues with excess phlegm, and it worked. After treating for about 3 days, breathing would be normal again because I wasn't labored with phlegm. I'm better at recognizing this earlier now, but it's been enough to raise my resting heart rate over 100 beats per minute and the first time that happened, I went to the emergency room. They diagnosed bronchitis and put me on oral antibiotics which cured it, but it happens periodically. My doctor wrote more prescriptions for Mupirocin so I have it on hand now. I would like to know how this reoccurs, and if I can stop the cycle. I wonder if my sinuses are being reinfected or if I'm picking up the infection again somewhere. Possibly, I'm killing off most, but not all of it, or a different antibiotic is better suited. I do also have allergies and do allergy shots and antihistamines. I don't use anything except a rescue inhaler. I'm trying to avoid side effects and prevent the problem. Did you see someone at Mayo in Rochester? I've thought about that. Do you have any recommendations?