The Constant Cough Question

Somewhere I saw a bronchiectasis rating chart where you get 0-3 points for variables related to bronchiectasis (sob, sputum production, energy, sleep quality, co-morbid conditions, age, etc). The amount of sputum gets a score and the ratings were something like: less than 1 tsp, greater than 1 teaspoon, or less than tablespoon or greater than tablespoon -- don't quote me but it was something like that. I'll see if I can find the original document.

Bottom line, it seems, is that the severity of bronchiectasis is based on several factors, not only the amount of sputum produced. In the mornings I produce around 5ml and when I have an exacerbation it's greater than that but less than 10ml. This bronchiectasis with no NTM/MAC. Maybe those with MAC or other infections produce more?

When I am fresh from an immunoglobulin infusion for specific antibody deficiency it's much less around 1-2ml but honestly I haven't measured it!

Found it! Australian site. Not sure how much traction it has gotten in US.
https://bronchiectasis.com.au/assessment/medical/bronchiectasis-severity-index
PS - doesn't mention sputum amounts....must be in another study somewhere

Thank you for mentioning that facebook site. I'll check it out.

Thank you. I'll read that and see if I can glean some info.

Scoop you have an amazing ability to find helpful information. Would you mind reposting this link in the discussion "ABC 's of Resources for MAC..." Ordinarily I would copy and paste but I'm in the car (not the driver) using my phone.
Thanks,
Sue

Actually, according to my Pulmonologist and ID doc, everyone is different. We have people here with dry bronchiectasis, who seldom produce any mucus, others who seem like a faucet, and everything between. I produce from drops to 1/2 tsp a day, but if I get bronchitis, I may produce 4 oz a day. Similarly, my cough waxes and wanes, but in over 50 years, I still don't see a pattern - I can be fine one minute and breathless with coughing the next. Again my pulmonologist swears this is "normal " for me!
Sue
Sue

If you want to keep track of how much mucus you cough up in a clearance session, use a paper cup and not tissues. In my case tissues would never work except to blow my nose after each cough up. You can mark a line on the outside of your cup showing 1 ounce etc. Use a liquid measuring cup (not solid) with water in it to mark your line or lines. But if you are only coughing up such small amounts this is not so relevant. 5ml is a very small amount in my world. Although everyone is different I do think the amount of mucus produced does correlate with exacerbation and or severity of Bronchiectasis. People with Pseudo seem to report a lot of mucus.

Are there tricks to separating the saliva from the sputum? Sometimes I let what I'm guessing is saliva roll out onto a terry washcloth, then hawk and spit the egg-white consistency stuff into a cup. Whether I "separate" or not doesn't seem to change the amount very much. I produce a good two ounces twice a day. I've been sending sputum samples (without trying to separate saliva) every other week for the clinical trial for three months, plus a couple pre-trial, and they've never given me any feedback about saliva content.
Anna