Tonight is another one of throwing up phlem. It will last off and on for a couple of hours. Seems it always happens during mealtime. Allergies here are pretty bad right now. I am trying to decide whether or not to go out for our daily walks or stay indoors and vegetate. I think the walking is better so at least he has something to look forward to and can exercise his legs (uses his legs while in the wheelchair). Anyone else have this? I have to listen for the "sounds" as dh doesn't say anything. This lack of communication is really difficult. I ask "are you ok" and the response is always "yes". If I ask a second time my dh gets irritated. Finally had a couple of ramps built so we could get out of the house again.
I don't know if any of this will be helpful but.... My husband had about a month of coughing up phlegm, and it would often end up in vomiting. We cut out his daily Aspirin, Aricept and a calcium supplement whose side effects including gastric upset. Then he was moved to a warm room where we could open the window, and there's been no problem since (nor has he required oxygen). His phlegm was white. If your husband's phlegm is coloured, then I think it more likely that it is from his nose (sinuses) and due to am infection or allergies. If it were an infection, if you press down on his sinuses (both sides of his nose), and it is painful, then I'd get him to the doctor for an antibiotic. We have an antihistamine in Canada called Aerius (probably comes from the States!) that also acts as a decongestive, thereby helping to drain the sinuses. I'd ask you pharmacist about its safety for your DH. Where are you living that you are subject to allergens outside at this time of year? I vote for getting him out for your daily walks if you possibly can .
My husband is in stage 7 d, and when he had this difficulty, we first cut out any spices in his food. He used to love Mexican and Italian foods. No more chili, not even chili powder, or any other spices (inclulding onions). Just a little salt. This cut down the "Niagara Falls" while eating and afterwards. And my husband doesn't go outside at all any more, except for trips to the hospital.
If your husband's phlegm happens when not mealtime, and the phlegm is clear, it could be time to ask his doctor for some drops to dry up the excess phlegm.
As Mary75 said, if it is colored, then what she said is what I would do, and get him to the doctor.
being outdoors if they are in pollen allergy areas isnt good. we are in central tx . ragweek cedar fever and pollens are the highest anywhere. drs advise if you are prone to allergy stay indoors til its better outside. an antihistimine like zyrtec or claritine with drs approval may help. if his is acid reflux which many of our AD sufferers have then you would need to get your dr to check him and probably give prilosec or prevacid to curb the mucus from esophagus. we cant go a day without prilosec or DH has this mucus phelgm as well and cant swallow or eat solids and throws them up. they can choke if they dont get the phelgm out -also as the disease progresses i noted a while back DH has no idea what to do if he throws up - he would aspirate if nobody was seeing it happen as he doesnt know to spit it out of his throat and mouth. be careful when they are vomiting as it can be critical they arent in a position they cant get it out.
Thanks for your responses. DH's phlem is clear and bubbly (actual bubbles). He has had this for years even prior to AD but not as much. I always thought it was from smoking. Allergies here are all year round because we are the "city of trees". Some parts of our walk cause me to sneeze like crazy. Tissues are a must. I like Claritin as it does not make us drowsey but don't know if it does much for the phlem. Luckily, dh still can spit it up and I have a bucket ready as I can hear it in his voice (he doesn't really say much except yes and no and I can't really depend on those reponses. Anything else I can't understand.). I think the exercise is good for him so don't want to keep us inside too much. Last night was really bad and I had to wake him in order to give him his meds as I did not want him to spit them up earlier in the evening. I elevated his head but during the night he generally scoots down so it doesn't do much good. After a lot of phelm, the next comes the food. I try to get him to relax when I see that. Sometimes I wonder if it is because he can't really blow his nose.
Thanks divvi. I worry about the not being able to spit it out as well. A very worrisom thought. So far, he can do this and I watch and help a lot.
brindle, does your DH have a hospital bed? if not with his reflux issues elevating his head to about 30deg is essential to keep his phelgm somewhat under control. medicare pays for a hospital bed with a drs prescription. this way you can keep his head elevated at bedtime. it does sound as though he has acid reflux going on. it can be from meds hes on too. you may want to check with his dr. its no fun i hope he gets relief soon.if hes not on prilosec or prevacid ask his dr it will relieve the symptoms if its from reflux. divvi
My husband has had the phlem thing from time to time and I swear I think he will cough himself inside out. We were just at the pulmonologist yesterday and there was a big poster about COPD. One of the signs of COPD is the phlem thing. And I must say, since DH was put on Spiriva he breathes better and does not have the phlem issue but rarely.
If allergy season is on and your DH or LO has allergies don't go out early in the morning or in the evenings and if the pollen count is high, stay in. Also check your filters for the furnace and AC. I start to sneeze if ours get too dirty or past change time. I have invested in the more expensive and allergy filters and they do work better for us i find. And they last a bit longer too.
The electric static ones on the intake of the furnace work well and last for years before the units needs replaced. I need to wash them every 3 months, the exhaust pollution in the city is high, and in the spring, they are clogged with "cotton" from some of the trees. I installed them trying to head off sinus surgery - had to have the surgery after all.
I do change our air filters every 3 mos or more often if necessary as we begin to sneeze, I check it out. Our allergy season is year 'round here. Just seems like this past year it has been worse for some reason. The seasons are all haywire so maybe that is the reason. We do have the hospital bed and I do raise the head but find he slips down lower during the night and sleeps on his side. Funny, during his naptime, dh usually sleeps on his back so the elevated head is a good thing. Thanks for all of your input.
brindle, my DH was slipping too during the night down into the bed. the very savvy aide suggested i also raise the bottom portion of the bed as well, at the feet to form like a cup in the bed .. it works to keep them from slipping down into the bed with the feet raised some.
During the worst allergy seasons, we change our filters monthly. It is amazing how much pollen get into the webbing of the filter. The hospital bed is wonderful for people with breathing difficulties. I just recovered from an upper respiratory infection and I can attest to the fact that I had much less congestion and could breathe better when I was sleeping on two large pillows, keeping my head and shoulders elevated. Moist air (humidifiers) help as well.