Sputum tests: Problems producing enough sputum

Posted by Tina Sims @tinaesims, Jul 14, 2020

I have problems producing enough sputum for a sample. I had no problems in March but my doctor wanted it repeated again. Yea... March was negative for MAC and I'm currently on the big 3. I took my sample to the lab this morning and they said there was too much saliva. Any suggestions? Last time I used the nebulizer with saline prior and I also did that this morning.

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Hello Tina, You might try taking Mucinex starting at least 24 hrs before. And use a PEP such as Aerobika before you nebulize with 7% saline, then do some exercise that gets your respirations elevated, then lay on a flat surface and get someone to do some manual chest percussions, then while still lying down do a series of Huff coughing, then finally sit up and do some regular coughing hopefully bringing up enough sputum for your culture. Good luck, Bill

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Thanks Bill. I did the Aerobika after instead of before. I’ll switch it around tomorrow. I told my husband I was waking him up to beat my back! I’m also not going to do my lung clearance tonight to hopefully build up the sputum. I’ve always had a hard time bringing up anything but spit.

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Hi, Mullein tea really helps loosen up sputum for my sputum tests. Celebration Herbals makes a plain Mullein loose leaf tea with no other herbs added. It takes a day or two for it to loosen after drinking the tea.

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@tinaesims great suggestions so far. For me to have a good sputum sample, I'll lay off any lung clearance the night before (neb, percussion) to let it build up. Then do clearance in the morning, postural draining, and huff coughing.

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@beatrixflower

Hi, Mullein tea really helps loosen up sputum for my sputum tests. Celebration Herbals makes a plain Mullein loose leaf tea with no other herbs added. It takes a day or two for it to loosen after drinking the tea.

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I’ve never heard of it! Where do you get it. I gave them another sample today. She handed me 2 more cups just in case.

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Hi,
Mullein is a common herb like dandelion so it might be in your yard. I buy my mullein tea at the natural food store. I think Amazon carries Celebration Herbals tea brand. It is caffeine free and pretty mild tasting. There is a Wisconsin tea farm that blends it with peppermint but it is not as effective I find.

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@beatrixflower

Hi, Mullein tea really helps loosen up sputum for my sputum tests. Celebration Herbals makes a plain Mullein loose leaf tea with no other herbs added. It takes a day or two for it to loosen after drinking the tea.

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Hi there Beatrix. Isn't mullein also known to be an antibacterial? I used to use the oral version of it to try to fight my lung infections back in the day before I sought treatment at Mayo.

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@windwalker

Hi there Beatrix. Isn't mullein also known to be an antibacterial? I used to use the oral version of it to try to fight my lung infections back in the day before I sought treatment at Mayo.

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Hi, I hadn't heard that before but it wouldn't surprise me. It is a lovely herb and seems to grow near people who need it. I had not heard of it until I was diagnosed with Bronchiectasis the same year we moved into a house in Canada that had tons of it growing in the back yard. I discovered the plant first and about 3 months later got my diagnosis. I have used the liquid tincture also but don't find it to be mucus producing. I use the tincture because it is supposed to nourish the lungs generally like salmon and garlic, etc.

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I use Mucinex every day. Actually, I use the Sam's club brand, much cheaper and it doesn't have Lake Blue in it which is not good for you at all. It's just a plain white pill and it's good for 12 hours, but I take only one a day, every morning. I find it help loosen up the mucus. I use my Smart Vest and then do deep breathing exercises, then huff cough and I can usually get something up. I have to say drinking A LOT OF WATER helps a lot. I also drink Horehound tea and Tulsi tea. The Horehound by itself it uck but I blend it with fennel or licorice tea also and ginger/tumeric tea. Then I add some honey and/or Stevia.

I want to ask everybody tho, does anyone use a Neti Pot to clear their sinuses and nasal passages?? I know this gets a lot of mucus out. But I haven't heard of anyone using one. I have Bronchiectisis MAC and I thought it may help keep the passages a bit cleaner. Opinions? Thank you, Toni

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Don’t think anything wrong w/netipot that I have heard— it’s just if you use 7% saline everyday— I use it in my aerobika that can be attached to my nebulizer—it makes you cough and get a lot of mucous out from your lungs. Netipot more for upper airway it seems.

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