chest congestion

starlightangel · 10-12-2003, 10:49 AM

It started as a sore throat last Tuesday or Wednesday so I figured it was just a cold and would go away in a few days. On Friday I started noticing that when I cough I am starting to bring up mucus from my right lung (which for some reason has given me more problem than my left). Now it's the weekend and it is not clearing up. I can generally cough it up on my own or with assist but I am afraid because the last 2 times it happened it got worse and I ended up in the hospital, and I am afraid to let that happen again.

I am going to try and see if I can get to the doc tomorrow but in the meantime is there anything I can to to try and get this to go away in the meantime? Right now I am only taking cold medicine (sudafed) and cough syrup.

"The only true currency in this bankrupt world...is what you share with someone else when you're uncool." - Almost Famous

david65 · 10-12-2003, 11:43 AM

I used to get flem in my lungs when the weather got damp. It would go away after I got it out. Milk has given me flem too. Don't take it for granite tho, if you cannot cough it up. My caretaker would have to help me cough it up by pressing on my diaphram as I got ready to cough. If you are having flu or cold symptoms, then don't hesitate in going to see your doctor.

david65 · 10-12-2003, 11:45 AM

Also, for me a sore throat can be a sign of a urinary tract infection.

teena · 10-12-2003, 01:39 PM

Hey, Karen!

Would you do yourself a favor and feel better soon? The only advice I have is that if you feel any worse, go to the ER. I hate to think of you being miserable.

Take care of yourself...and get well quick!

Love ya!

Teena

SCI-Nurse · 10-12-2003, 05:53 PM

How can you tell which lung you are coughing phlegm up from?

If what you are coughing up is green, bloody, or yellow (instead of cream colored) this is cause for concern. If you have a fever, this is also cause for concern. If you are short of breath, you also need to be concerned. If you have any of these, don't wait. Go to the ER.

Otherwise, you should push fluids, avoid cough medicines that suppress the cough, use an expectorant (ask your pharmacist to recommend one that does not have any sympathetic stimulants), and do lots of quad coughing to get the secretions up. If it is very dry, use of a humidifyer may also help.

(KLD)

geremy · 10-12-2003, 06:43 PM

StarlightAngel,

I suggest you get your lungs x-rayed and checked. A few years ago I got the Flu(missed shot that yr)and it went into my lungs. I had a week and a half stay in the hospital and procedure where they go in through your nose and flush out your lungs(fun stuff). I forgot the name of it but it worked, and got all that crap out of me. I hope you're doing better and can't stress how important it is for us gimps to get our Flu shots. Good luck!

EVERYONE GET YOUR FLU SHOTS.

starlightangel · 10-13-2003, 07:44 AM

No fever or shortness of breath that I can detect, and the phlegm is white and fairly mobile. I am thinking right now it's probably a cold that somehow got into my lung.

I talked to the pulmonologist at my rehab this morning and he doesn't think I need antibiotics. He is going to squeeze me in for a full exam this afternoon.

Thanks for all the advice and support.

"The only true currency in this bankrupt world...is what you share with someone else when you're uncool." - Almost Famous

marmalady · 10-13-2003, 12:10 PM

I'm crossing my fingers for you, SA. Hope everything's okay.

_____________
Tough times don't last - tough people do.

starlightangel · 10-14-2003, 05:43 PM

Well, the doc agreed that it was "just" a cold, gave me some Nasonex to clear my nose and an inhaler to help me breathe/cough, and I actually am feeling better.

Plus, I'm wired on Sudafed.

"The only true currency in this bankrupt world...is what you share with someone else when you're uncool." - Almost Famous

glomae · 10-17-2003, 12:40 PM

so starlight how are you feeling these days is the congestion cleared up? lol gloria

Quote:

Originally posted by StarlightAngel:

Well, the doc agreed that it was "just" a cold, gave me some Nasonex to clear my nose and an inhaler to help me breathe/cough, and I actually am feeling better.

Plus, I'm wired on Sudafed.

"The only true currency in this bankrupt world...is what you share with someone else when you're uncool." - Almost Famous

10-12-2003, 10:49 AM	#1
starlightangel Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 1,211	chest congestion It started as a sore throat last Tuesday or Wednesday so I figured it was just a cold and would go away in a few days. On Friday I started noticing that when I cough I am starting to bring up mucus from my right lung (which for some reason has given me more problem than my left). Now it's the weekend and it is not clearing up. I can generally cough it up on my own or with assist but I am afraid because the last 2 times it happened it got worse and I ended up in the hospital, and I am afraid to let that happen again. I am going to try and see if I can get to the doc tomorrow but in the meantime is there anything I can to to try and get this to go away in the meantime? Right now I am only taking cold medicine (sudafed) and cough syrup. "The only true currency in this bankrupt world...is what you share with someone else when you're uncool." - Almost Famous

10-12-2003, 01:39 PM	#4
teena Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 3,333	feel better soon! Hey, Karen! Would you do yourself a favor and feel better soon? The only advice I have is that if you feel any worse, go to the ER. I hate to think of you being miserable. Take care of yourself...and get well quick! Love ya! Teena

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

10-12-2003, 11:43 AM	#2
david65 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 1,025	I used to get flem in my lungs when the weather got damp. It would go away after I got it out. Milk has given me flem too. Don't take it for granite tho, if you cannot cough it up. My caretaker would have to help me cough it up by pressing on my diaphram as I got ready to cough. If you are having flu or cold symptoms, then don't hesitate in going to see your doctor.

10-12-2003, 11:45 AM	#3
david65 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 1,025	Also, for me a sore throat can be a sign of a urinary tract infection.

10-12-2003, 05:53 PM	#5
SCI-Nurse Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: USA Posts: 41,361	How can you tell which lung you are coughing phlegm up from? If what you are coughing up is green, bloody, or yellow (instead of cream colored) this is cause for concern. If you have a fever, this is also cause for concern. If you are short of breath, you also need to be concerned. If you have any of these, don't wait. Go to the ER. Otherwise, you should push fluids, avoid cough medicines that suppress the cough, use an expectorant (ask your pharmacist to recommend one that does not have any sympathetic stimulants), and do lots of quad coughing to get the secretions up. If it is very dry, use of a humidifyer may also help. (KLD)

10-12-2003, 06:43 PM	#6
geremy Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: CA Posts: 38	StarlightAngel, I suggest you get your lungs x-rayed and checked. A few years ago I got the Flu(missed shot that yr)and it went into my lungs. I had a week and a half stay in the hospital and procedure where they go in through your nose and flush out your lungs(fun stuff). I forgot the name of it but it worked, and got all that crap out of me. I hope you're doing better and can't stress how important it is for us gimps to get our Flu shots. Good luck! EVERYONE GET YOUR FLU SHOTS.

10-13-2003, 07:44 AM	#7
starlightangel Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 1,211	No fever or shortness of breath that I can detect, and the phlegm is white and fairly mobile. I am thinking right now it's probably a cold that somehow got into my lung. I talked to the pulmonologist at my rehab this morning and he doesn't think I need antibiotics. He is going to squeeze me in for a full exam this afternoon. Thanks for all the advice and support. "The only true currency in this bankrupt world...is what you share with someone else when you're uncool." - Almost Famous

10-13-2003, 12:10 PM	#8
marmalady Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 3,988	I'm crossing my fingers for you, SA. Hope everything's okay. _____________ Tough times don't last - tough people do.

10-14-2003, 05:43 PM	#9
starlightangel Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 1,211	Well, the doc agreed that it was "just" a cold, gave me some Nasonex to clear my nose and an inhaler to help me breathe/cough, and I actually am feeling better. Plus, I'm wired on Sudafed. "The only true currency in this bankrupt world...is what you share with someone else when you're uncool." - Almost Famous