Sputum tests: Problems producing enough sputum

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.

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

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

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

I just got home from taking in yet another sputum sample. One gal usually just looks at it and tells me it's just spit. I could have handed an empty vile to this gal. I'm sure it's just spit. They told me not to drink anything in the morning to bring up a good sample. I didn't. I did the saline and Aerobika. My husband also got up and did percussions on my back. Still just spit. I did buy some of the tea. Do I drink that in the morning or the night before? I'm sure I'm going to get a call to bring in another sample.

I just got home from taking in yet another sputum sample. One gal usually just looks at it and tells me it's just spit. I could have handed an empty vile to this gal. I'm sure it's just spit. They told me not to drink anything in the morning to bring up a good sample. I didn't. I did the saline and Aerobika. My husband also got up and did percussions on my back. Still just spit. I did buy some of the tea. Do I drink that in the morning or the night before? I'm sure I'm going to get a call to bring in another sample.

I Toni. I used the Neti Pot for years but now find I prefer the Ayr brand of sinus device. I only use it when I feel there is a need. If I get up, have coffee and things in my sinus has not opened up, I'll use it. Last Christmas I had a problem and became a sinus mucus factory. I had to rinse 3-4 times a day and two rounds of different antibiotics to clear things. Wish we could know what triggers these problems but treating the symptoms is the only option sometime. Sharing is helpful but finding out what works for you is best.
Faye

Toni—Here is an excellent video of a conference with different and very interesting info on different aspects of NTM Excellent info even tho 4 yrs ago http://Www.NationalJewish.org/ntmvideos2016