COPD with emphysema vs. acid reflux. Please help

Posted by lesleys56 @lesleys56, Sep 8 9:33am

I was diagnosed with COPD with emphysema in 2010 and it's pretty much under control with Trelegy 200 and I haven't had to neb in a few months now.
A few months ago I started getting severe acid reflux and Dr treated me with pantoprazole. At that time I had a foamy, white "mucus" cough and as the medicine began to work, it slowed down quite a bit. Now I have this cough and I'm not sure where it's coming from. Sometimes it's clear and loose, sometimes it's thick, greenish grey in color sometimes lime green and loose.
I have a Dr appt at the end of the month but I really can't say where this cough is coming from. One Dr told me the coloration is indicative of an infection, on Dr says the color is a sign of how long the mucus has been in the lungs.
Where is this cough coming from? What is going on here? I'm tired of being confused.

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Mary | @mjb24 | Sep 8 4:14pm

@lesleys56 With the change in sputum and the gray, green, etc I would also be concerned. I think I would call my doctor to see if you can get an order to submit a sputum sample to be tested and cultured to rule out infection. With COPD, if it is an infection, the earlier you catch it the better. Do you have any other symptoms?

lesleys56 | @lesleys56 | Sep 9 6:34am

Headaches,fatigue.

jlk12 | @jlk12 | Sep 9 8:52am

Definitely call your Doctor. The colors of the sputum you are describing sound like an infection. Antibiotics most likely will be prescribed. My pulmonologist prescribed me a “rescue pack” to keep on hand. It consists of Prednisone and an Antibiotic that I can take immediately, if I start with a lung infection. You don’t want to delay treatment, especially if you have Emphysema. Best of luck on your journey.