Phlegm in throat

[KK7]

Can anyone suggest what can help clear phlegm in throat please? I find it is stuck there and I can’t cough to clear it and it is just stick - worse overnight

[KK7]

Stuck - not stick

[shelly21]

Hi what are you using at the moment? Are you under the respiratory team?

[TinyLady]

I was told by the MND nurse yesterday to drink pineapple juice for mine. Not tried it yet though

[Doug Carpenter]

KK7
Do you have a cough assist machine?
.
Doug

[KK7]

Diagnosed February 2022. Had speech problem for nearly a year before that and latterly chewing and swallowing a bit of a problem. Having respiratory test next month. On Riluzole.

[KK7]

No cough assist machine

[shelly21]

Hi kk7 I have bulbar onset als. My speech and swallow affected. I can no longer cough up phlegm. So im on a few things to help thin it down. This makes it easier for the cough assist to work.

I'm on :
carbocisteine (liquid form)
Nacsys
nebulizer with hypertonic solution. This is a machine that sprays a fine mist via a face mask. It goes into your lungs. Again with a view to thinning down sticky thick phlegm.
cough assist is another face mask type machine that blows air in and then sucks it out with a view to bringing the phlegm out.

I also drink 100% pineapple juice and it does help. Also stay hydrated.

I would have thought you would have had a lung function test by now. They do this. Then an overnight test for you to do at home.

I don't know how much you have had done re appointments etc.

its a lot to take in. I know its seems a heck of a list but unfortunately managing mucus/phlegm is somewhat hard in mnd.

[Ellie]

KK7 A warm welcome to the forum, sorry you've had to join us.

As others have said, a glass of pineapple juice, plenty of water, as well as using an extra pillow or two and making sure your bedroom is well ventilated and not too warm, are non-medical things you can try immediately.

Carbocisteine works well and can be prescribed by your GP.

Other interventions can take longer to organise, but start the ball rolling on an assessment via your MND/Community Nurse or Clinic/Neurologist.

Love Ellie.

[KK7]

Thanks everyone for your replies xx

[shelly21]

KK7 I didn't realise it was your first post. Sorry I bombarded you with info. If you have an mnd nurse they can help.

You will get lots of advise here. We are a rather nice bunch 😀

[ann]

I initially found pineapple juice a help but am tube fed now. Using nystis and nebuliser helps.

[Ellie]

I initially found pineapple juice a help but am tube fed now.

The juice is as effective when given through a feeding tube. xx

[Madge]

KK7 I am having the same problem. I have a cough assist machine but I don’t bring any phlegm up in fact my throat is rather sore now and trying to constantly clear my throat doesn’t help. I have tried pineapple juice and Gaviscon. I use an NIV at night. I’m getting so fed up with constantly clearing my throat. I’m not sure who to turn to for advice.

[shelly21]

Madge I got my advice advice from here. Can you call your respiratory team.

I use mucoclear hypertonic solution 3% through my nebuliser. If really bad I do x 4 daily.
I also take Nacsys 600 which is in soluble form.
Erdosteine meds especially after a chest infection.
Also does your cough assist need tweaking maybe. X