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Light yellow mucus with tiny little yellow balls. Is this a flare?

Posted by healthybon @healthybon, Mar 10, 2023

A couple days ago, since I’ve been using the flutter valve, I have been coughing up a very small amount of light yellow mucus with an occasional tiny, yellow ball in it. Also, clear thick sticky mucus!
I notice I am getting a little breathless too. My pulmonary prescribed prednisone, 10 mg for 10 days.
I would like to hear your thoughts on this. Will it get better? Is it a flare? I appreciate hearing from you all about this. Thanks Bon

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cate123456 | @cate123456 | Mar 14, 2023

Bon don’t worry about those yellow balls — they are usually called plugs and as Sue said above that’s a GOOD sign you are clearing them, and means your airway clearance is working.
It’s good to keep tract of the amount of mucus and plugs, so you know if there is a big change (good or bad) happening in your lungs.
I’ve done airway clearance now for four years, and ususally clear 1/8 cup mucus and about 9-10 of those small yellow plugs.

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2 replies
healthybon | @healthybon | Mar 15, 2023
In reply to @cate123456 "Bon don’t worry about those yellow balls — they are usually called plugs and as Sue..." + (show)
@cate123456

Bon don’t worry about those yellow balls — they are usually called plugs and as Sue said above that’s a GOOD sign you are clearing them, and means your airway clearance is working.
It’s good to keep tract of the amount of mucus and plugs, so you know if there is a big change (good or bad) happening in your lungs.
I’ve done airway clearance now for four years, and ususally clear 1/8 cup mucus and about 9-10 of those small yellow plugs.

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Thanks so much for the info

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irenea8 | @irenea8 | Mar 16, 2023
In reply to @cate123456 "Bon don’t worry about those yellow balls — they are usually called plugs and as Sue..." + (show)
@cate123456

Bon don’t worry about those yellow balls — they are usually called plugs and as Sue said above that’s a GOOD sign you are clearing them, and means your airway clearance is working.
It’s good to keep tract of the amount of mucus and plugs, so you know if there is a big change (good or bad) happening in your lungs.
I’ve done airway clearance now for four years, and ususally clear 1/8 cup mucus and about 9-10 of those small yellow plugs.

Jump to this post

I would be jumping up for joy if all i produced were tiny yellow balls! Cate's advice is good. With a true exacerbation you will feel sick or unwell, lose appetite etc.

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1 reply
healthybon | @healthybon | Mar 16, 2023
In reply to @irenea8 "I would be jumping up for joy if all i produced were tiny yellow balls! Cate's..." + (show)
@irenea8

I would be jumping up for joy if all i produced were tiny yellow balls! Cate's advice is good. With a true exacerbation you will feel sick or unwell, lose appetite etc.

Jump to this post

Thanks Irene.

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healthybon | @healthybon | Mar 18, 2023

I started nebulizing with saline a couple days ago. First days no balls, now there are balls coming up with mucus. I read where that’s a good thing, they are plugs coming out. I guess it’s scaring me..anyone , please explain. Thanks Bon

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1 reply
Moderator
Amanda Roe | @amandajro | Mar 18, 2023
In reply to @healthybon "I started nebulizing with saline a couple days ago. First days no balls, now there are..." + (show)
@healthybon

I started nebulizing with saline a couple days ago. First days no balls, now there are balls coming up with mucus. I read where that’s a good thing, they are plugs coming out. I guess it’s scaring me..anyone , please explain. Thanks Bon

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Hello @healthybon. You will notice I moved one of your posts back to one of your original discussions to keep your updates together. You can find your post here:
- Light yellow mucus with tiny little yellow balls in it.IS THIS A FLARE: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/light-yellow-mucus-with-tiny-little-yellow-balls-in-it-is-this-a-flare/

I will let you, @irenea8 and @sueinmn continue sharing.

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healthybon | @healthybon | Mar 20, 2023

I apologize for posting all over the place. I hope here is ok. I have done the saline treatments five days now. Today, for some reason I am coughing up a lot of yellowish green mucus. I don’t feel well. I have no one to ask but you guys. I don’t trust my pulmonary and won’t get in to see the infectious Dr til April. Does the abundance of the mucus mean the saline is working.

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1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Mar 20, 2023
In reply to @healthybon "I apologize for posting all over the place. I hope here is ok. I have done..." + (show)
@healthybon

I apologize for posting all over the place. I hope here is ok. I have done the saline treatments five days now. Today, for some reason I am coughing up a lot of yellowish green mucus. I don’t feel well. I have no one to ask but you guys. I don’t trust my pulmonary and won’t get in to see the infectious Dr til April. Does the abundance of the mucus mean the saline is working.

Jump to this post

I'm not a doctor, so this is not a diagnosis, but after years of lung issues, I would guess that what you are seeing is progressive clearing of your lungs - first the "loose" mucus was expelled, and next, the plugs worked their way out and came out. Now you are seeing the old mucus that was deeply seated in your lungs being expelled.

Since you are new to airway clearance, take it easy on "huff coughing" during and after the nebs, and don't try to move it all out in one go. It has been building up for months (at least) and will take a long time to clear. Otherwise, you may irritate your airways, your throat, and even make your ribs hurt.

If the mucus becomes all green, or you have a fever, don't wait until April, call the doc and describe what you are experiencing.
Sue

REPLY
1 reply
healthybon | @healthybon | Mar 20, 2023
In reply to @sueinmn "I'm not a doctor, so this is not a diagnosis, but after years of lung issues,..." + (show)
@sueinmn

I'm not a doctor, so this is not a diagnosis, but after years of lung issues, I would guess that what you are seeing is progressive clearing of your lungs - first the "loose" mucus was expelled, and next, the plugs worked their way out and came out. Now you are seeing the old mucus that was deeply seated in your lungs being expelled.

Since you are new to airway clearance, take it easy on "huff coughing" during and after the nebs, and don't try to move it all out in one go. It has been building up for months (at least) and will take a long time to clear. Otherwise, you may irritate your airways, your throat, and even make your ribs hurt.

If the mucus becomes all green, or you have a fever, don't wait until April, call the doc and describe what you are experiencing.
Sue

Jump to this post

Thank u sue

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