Coughing up more crap

[ladybug]

Well, what do you think? Is it a good or bad sign to be suddenly coughing up a lot more thick crap than usual? I know in most cases its GOOD to get the stuff out of the lungs, but in the same respect, does it signal worsening infection? I've got an appt. scheduled for a month at my CF clinic (its 5 hours one way so I only go when necessary... and not really feeling sick other than the increase in crud).... What are your opinions on this? Would you be more concerned or more happy that you're coughing it out???

Again, not feeling terribly congested or anything, and am actually kinda shocked when I DO cough the stuff up.... It also does not look diff. or anything that usual, just thicker and more often.

I know I'll get a lot of "go to your doc", but right now I don't feel sick and don't want to make the trip (I know its silly, but its so far and I'd have to have someone go with me... blah blah.... and, I just don't feel too bad). So, aside from saying I should go to the doc (which I will), do you generally regard something like this (in YOUR body) as a good or bad sign???

Thanks for any opinions and views on this! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[ladybug]

Well, what do you think? Is it a good or bad sign to be suddenly coughing up a lot more thick crap than usual? I know in most cases its GOOD to get the stuff out of the lungs, but in the same respect, does it signal worsening infection? I've got an appt. scheduled for a month at my CF clinic (its 5 hours one way so I only go when necessary... and not really feeling sick other than the increase in crud).... What are your opinions on this? Would you be more concerned or more happy that you're coughing it out???

Again, not feeling terribly congested or anything, and am actually kinda shocked when I DO cough the stuff up.... It also does not look diff. or anything that usual, just thicker and more often.

I know I'll get a lot of "go to your doc", but right now I don't feel sick and don't want to make the trip (I know its silly, but its so far and I'd have to have someone go with me... blah blah.... and, I just don't feel too bad). So, aside from saying I should go to the doc (which I will), do you generally regard something like this (in YOUR body) as a good or bad sign???

Thanks for any opinions and views on this! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[ladybug]

Well, what do you think? Is it a good or bad sign to be suddenly coughing up a lot more thick crap than usual? I know in most cases its GOOD to get the stuff out of the lungs, but in the same respect, does it signal worsening infection? I've got an appt. scheduled for a month at my CF clinic (its 5 hours one way so I only go when necessary... and not really feeling sick other than the increase in crud).... What are your opinions on this? Would you be more concerned or more happy that you're coughing it out???

Again, not feeling terribly congested or anything, and am actually kinda shocked when I DO cough the stuff up.... It also does not look diff. or anything that usual, just thicker and more often.

I know I'll get a lot of "go to your doc", but right now I don't feel sick and don't want to make the trip (I know its silly, but its so far and I'd have to have someone go with me... blah blah.... and, I just don't feel too bad). So, aside from saying I should go to the doc (which I will), do you generally regard something like this (in YOUR body) as a good or bad sign???

Thanks for any opinions and views on this! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[JazzysMom]

Coughing up more crap is good. The ??? is are you coughing more then usual, are you short of breath or wheezing etc? If not then maybe things that have been stuck are finally loosening up. Sometimes its hard to tell the difference so lets hope you just got some stuck moving around!

 

[JazzysMom]

Coughing up more crap is good. The ??? is are you coughing more then usual, are you short of breath or wheezing etc? If not then maybe things that have been stuck are finally loosening up. Sometimes its hard to tell the difference so lets hope you just got some stuck moving around!

 

[JazzysMom]

Coughing up more crap is good. The ??? is are you coughing more then usual, are you short of breath or wheezing etc? If not then maybe things that have been stuck are finally loosening up. Sometimes its hard to tell the difference so lets hope you just got some stuck moving around!

 

[NoExcuses]

For me, coughing up more crap over a few days (not just one or two days) means infection.

Also the type of crap is important for me. Usually I have pretty thin mucus. But when it gets thicker, i realize that more white blood cells and inflammation is going on (which leads to thicker sputum) and I'm probably fighting an infection.

You don't want to hear it, but...go to your doc and do some PFT's to get an objective measurement of your lung function! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[NoExcuses]

For me, coughing up more crap over a few days (not just one or two days) means infection.

Also the type of crap is important for me. Usually I have pretty thin mucus. But when it gets thicker, i realize that more white blood cells and inflammation is going on (which leads to thicker sputum) and I'm probably fighting an infection.

You don't want to hear it, but...go to your doc and do some PFT's to get an objective measurement of your lung function! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[NoExcuses]

For me, coughing up more crap over a few days (not just one or two days) means infection.

Also the type of crap is important for me. Usually I have pretty thin mucus. But when it gets thicker, i realize that more white blood cells and inflammation is going on (which leads to thicker sputum) and I'm probably fighting an infection.

You don't want to hear it, but...go to your doc and do some PFT's to get an objective measurement of your lung function! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[coltsfan715]

I think alot of it depends on what your normal is. For me I am have also started coughing up thicker mucus and am coughing more up through the day as well. I just got off of IVs about 2-3 weeks ago and have an appointment at the doc in just under 4 weeks. I am used to this though. I always get this way about 2 weeks after IVs all the crud starts to come back. I am waiting until next Friday when I start TOBI and I will see how things go from there.

That is how I would handle it, just keep an eye on it and make sure no major changes happen. Have you changed anything about how you do CPT or your treatments - added any new treatments or meds? If you have it may just be the changes in those things are causing a change in your sputum and what you are coughing up.

If you are concerned about it I would maybe call the doc and ask their opinion. They may just be able to call in a script for you to last until your appointment. Then you would be getting treatment and you wouldn't have to make an extra 5 hr trip.

Hope things get better,
Lindsey

 

[coltsfan715]

I think alot of it depends on what your normal is. For me I am have also started coughing up thicker mucus and am coughing more up through the day as well. I just got off of IVs about 2-3 weeks ago and have an appointment at the doc in just under 4 weeks. I am used to this though. I always get this way about 2 weeks after IVs all the crud starts to come back. I am waiting until next Friday when I start TOBI and I will see how things go from there.

That is how I would handle it, just keep an eye on it and make sure no major changes happen. Have you changed anything about how you do CPT or your treatments - added any new treatments or meds? If you have it may just be the changes in those things are causing a change in your sputum and what you are coughing up.

If you are concerned about it I would maybe call the doc and ask their opinion. They may just be able to call in a script for you to last until your appointment. Then you would be getting treatment and you wouldn't have to make an extra 5 hr trip.

Hope things get better,
Lindsey

 

[coltsfan715]

I think alot of it depends on what your normal is. For me I am have also started coughing up thicker mucus and am coughing more up through the day as well. I just got off of IVs about 2-3 weeks ago and have an appointment at the doc in just under 4 weeks. I am used to this though. I always get this way about 2 weeks after IVs all the crud starts to come back. I am waiting until next Friday when I start TOBI and I will see how things go from there.

That is how I would handle it, just keep an eye on it and make sure no major changes happen. Have you changed anything about how you do CPT or your treatments - added any new treatments or meds? If you have it may just be the changes in those things are causing a change in your sputum and what you are coughing up.

If you are concerned about it I would maybe call the doc and ask their opinion. They may just be able to call in a script for you to last until your appointment. Then you would be getting treatment and you wouldn't have to make an extra 5 hr trip.

Hope things get better,
Lindsey

 

[ladybug]

Thanks for the opinions, guys....

Yeah, I feel normal other than the thicker and more often sputum... I even can still run and stuff.... so I don't think its worsening infection. My crud is always green and never runny (even on antibiotics I've never gotten rid of the pseudo. so its hard to tell a big difference).... and even now sometimes when I cough it still is "normal" for me... it just seems that every once in awhile I cough up a bunch more and its thicker. sorry to be gross.

Lindsey:

I actually have just come to the end of my colistyn month, so perhaps its just dislodging some of that crud... though that's never happened before, so I'd be a but surprised.

I also noticed with the weather changing its been much chillier in my house. So, could the cold air be helping to bring stuff up??? I don't know how that would work, but maybe the thinner, colder air is helping me get more up?

I don't know. I'm going to go and try to run again today and see if I get short of breath or any other symptoms of infection for me. Usually, if I'm able to do well at the gym and my HR stays normal and stuff I don't consider myself "sicker". I also have been checking my O2 sats and they have been completely normal.... don't know if that matters or anything, but if anything sometimes they are up a bit, which I think tells me I'm getting good air exchange... something that would go down with an infection.

Anyway, I may email my nurse and see, but I'm resistant to everything oral, so I'm sure the only step we could take would be IVs and I just don't feel that's necessary.... you know how you can just kinda tell when its "time"???

Anyway, thanks for your suggestions and caring. I appreciate it as always!

 

[ladybug]

Thanks for the opinions, guys....

Yeah, I feel normal other than the thicker and more often sputum... I even can still run and stuff.... so I don't think its worsening infection. My crud is always green and never runny (even on antibiotics I've never gotten rid of the pseudo. so its hard to tell a big difference).... and even now sometimes when I cough it still is "normal" for me... it just seems that every once in awhile I cough up a bunch more and its thicker. sorry to be gross.

Lindsey:

I actually have just come to the end of my colistyn month, so perhaps its just dislodging some of that crud... though that's never happened before, so I'd be a but surprised.

I also noticed with the weather changing its been much chillier in my house. So, could the cold air be helping to bring stuff up??? I don't know how that would work, but maybe the thinner, colder air is helping me get more up?

I don't know. I'm going to go and try to run again today and see if I get short of breath or any other symptoms of infection for me. Usually, if I'm able to do well at the gym and my HR stays normal and stuff I don't consider myself "sicker". I also have been checking my O2 sats and they have been completely normal.... don't know if that matters or anything, but if anything sometimes they are up a bit, which I think tells me I'm getting good air exchange... something that would go down with an infection.

Anyway, I may email my nurse and see, but I'm resistant to everything oral, so I'm sure the only step we could take would be IVs and I just don't feel that's necessary.... you know how you can just kinda tell when its "time"???

Anyway, thanks for your suggestions and caring. I appreciate it as always!

 

[ladybug]

Thanks for the opinions, guys....

Yeah, I feel normal other than the thicker and more often sputum... I even can still run and stuff.... so I don't think its worsening infection. My crud is always green and never runny (even on antibiotics I've never gotten rid of the pseudo. so its hard to tell a big difference).... and even now sometimes when I cough it still is "normal" for me... it just seems that every once in awhile I cough up a bunch more and its thicker. sorry to be gross.

Lindsey:

I actually have just come to the end of my colistyn month, so perhaps its just dislodging some of that crud... though that's never happened before, so I'd be a but surprised.

I also noticed with the weather changing its been much chillier in my house. So, could the cold air be helping to bring stuff up??? I don't know how that would work, but maybe the thinner, colder air is helping me get more up?

I don't know. I'm going to go and try to run again today and see if I get short of breath or any other symptoms of infection for me. Usually, if I'm able to do well at the gym and my HR stays normal and stuff I don't consider myself "sicker". I also have been checking my O2 sats and they have been completely normal.... don't know if that matters or anything, but if anything sometimes they are up a bit, which I think tells me I'm getting good air exchange... something that would go down with an infection.

Anyway, I may email my nurse and see, but I'm resistant to everything oral, so I'm sure the only step we could take would be IVs and I just don't feel that's necessary.... you know how you can just kinda tell when its "time"???

Anyway, thanks for your suggestions and caring. I appreciate it as always!

 

[catboogie]

i take it as a bad sign. for me, i know what my usual amount is and if there is an increase in that amount or if it gets thicker or darker i know trouble's a brewin'.

 

[catboogie]

i take it as a bad sign. for me, i know what my usual amount is and if there is an increase in that amount or if it gets thicker or darker i know trouble's a brewin'.

 

[catboogie]

i take it as a bad sign. for me, i know what my usual amount is and if there is an increase in that amount or if it gets thicker or darker i know trouble's a brewin'.