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Moderate Persistent Asthma and Phlegm
Six months ago I developed a chronic productive cough with SOB. This was highly distressing and when coupled with anxiety, made for quite a miserable cocktail. I experienced regular anxiety/panic attacks with dizziness and could barely make it through the grocery store. What made this even worse was that because these were also Covid symptoms, my GP would not see me in person (video visits only). So without a real examination, this largely went undiagnosed for another 60 horrible days. Then about a month ago a highly regarded Pulmonologist diagnosed me with Moderate Persistent Adult Onset Asthma (I am 57). My mother was diagnosed with asthma when she was 46. He has me on Symbicort and Singulair and this combination has seemingly worked well for me so far; cough is largely gone (I still cough a bit in the mornings, always have), I can take unobstructed, rewarding full breaths again, my energy level is up. I’m exercising and generally feel more like myself. Additionally, my spirometry results (lung function) have improved significantly, my oxygen level consistently hovers around 97, two chest x-rays have been clean, and the Pulmonologist says my lungs sound clear and healthy. But here’s what I’m struggling with now - Thick Phlegm without cough. The phlegm seems to accumulate gradually in my upper lungs and in the back of my throat. The volume isn’t huge, but very annoying. The phlegm is generally clear (light pale at times) and quite thick and sticky. And because my cough is pretty much gone, I have to “huff” this stuff up routinely and swallow (the sound is driving my supportive spouse crazy). I can force myself to cough, and this helps too. The phlegm waxes and wanes (some days are better than others). I don’t have allergies and don’t think this is allergy related. Mucinex also helps me get this stuff up. I’ve come so far in the last 45-days, with this being the last remaining significant symptom. Does anyone have any suggestions, comments, recommendations, or similar experience?
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@otter2154 Hi, my weird phlegm issue started a year ago. I've never had phlegm before, so it created such discomfort in my life. The rumble in my left lung created anxiety for me and I'm not an anxious person. My lungs felt as if there was a heavy glue inside them. Even after I would cough my lungs still felt heavy.
I have been taking 2 mullein capsules daily. I drink a ton of water, exercise, a lot of abdominal stretching and some walking. This has worked for me, I also eat very clean and consume a ton of fresh fruit and veggies- I try to avoid dairy. I still have to cough out phlegm once before I go to sleep each night, (some nights I fall asleep without coughing which is always a pleasant surprise) but after I feel my lungs are light and clear. I do have a couple bad days here and there. Also, I keep moving, even if its just standing, I always do better when I'm busy. Hope this helps.
Thank you Fracturedd - anxiety is definitely in play for me. I’m sure I’m “huffing” and coughing more than I need to (I’m trying not to do it as often), as I understand that too much effort will only create more phlegm via irritation. I’m beginning to do many of the same things you are ... hope I get positive results like yours.
Hi again otter2154, I am still researching this lung mucous problem as much as possible, to try and determine what the causative factors could be. In an online article located at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1440-1843.2012.02307.x
by TRAVIS YAMANAKA1 AND RUXANA T. SADIKOT1,2, titled "Opioid effect on lungs" there is an interesting discussion about Noncardiogenic Pulmonary Oedema (NCPE). Here is an excerpt, located on page # 257.
"While heroin appears to be the most studied, legal
opiates used in a more controlled setting have also
been implicated in NCPE. One patient following
laparotomy developed bilateral pulmonary oedema
twice during the same admission to the ICU, both
times resolving with switch from morphine to other
analgesics.31 Besides morphine, oral opioids
including methadone and codeine may also cause
oedema."
My husband and I have often wondered if painkillers could be the culprit of this confounding condition. This thought has always been in the back of my mind, because I am running out of answers! It would be interesting to know if anyone that suffered with this horrible, suffocating mucous problem, recovered after quitting the pain medication. If this could be the cause, we all need to know! Does anyone know of such a person? Thank-you.
I’ve not taken any opioids throughout this process. I have however pounded OTC painkillers on occasion (huffing up the sticky phlegm wreaks havoc on my upper back, and even down my arms at times). And the “stuff” that comes out of my nose most mornings - yuck.
Well, otter2154, that is good. There has to be something that is causing this condition in so many people. It would be great if statistics are available showing whether this condition has suddenly spiked. Guess a huge survey would have to be given! If it has spiked suddenly, would that indicate there has to be an environmental cause? I am like you in many ways, such as eating healthy, constantly active, no smoking, etc. Thank-you for reply.
They say there is strength in numbers, and that is certainly true here. Hopefully, one of these days we will know the reason for this condition. Keep up the good work, no matter what!
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1 ReactionI buy the Equate brand product called Mucus Relief DM, which I buy at Walmart. Cheaper than Mucinex. Active ingredients: Guaifenesin and Dextromethorphan.
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1 ReactionIf the generic works for you, that is great. But the dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant, which is the opposite of what is needed to remove persistent mucus - here are the cautions at Mayo:
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
Asthma—Since dextromethorphan decreases coughing, it makes it difficult to get rid of the mucus that collects in the lungs and airways during asthma
Diabetes (sugar diabetes)—Some products contain sugar and may affect control of blood glucose monitoring
Liver disease—Dextromethorphan may build up in the body and cause unwanted effects
Chronic bronchitis or
Emphysema or
Mucus or phlegm with cough—Since dextromethorphan decreases coughing, it makes it difficult to get rid of the mucus that may collect in the lungs and airways with some diseases
Slowed breathing—Dextromethorphan may slow the rate of breathing even further
If ever you need to check the information about a medication or supplement, including proper usage, cautions, side effects and potential interactions, you can go to this link and start a search: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements
Sue
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1 ReactionWell, this is what the doctor's office told us to do. But thanks for your feedback.
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1 ReactionFind post nasal drip to collect in the back of the throat and further down as well. I use flonase as well as an antihistamine to help this problem. Sometime plain salt nasal solution helps as well.
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