Techniques for coughing out mucus

ac
ac Member Posts: 88 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
I know this sounds rather flaky! But has anyone perfected the technique of effectively coughing out mucus without too much pain/discomfort?

I managed to get a blob of thick green mucus the size of an avocado stone out last night. But nearly coughed my insides out. I would leave it inside if I could but it's impeding my swallowing as it is making me gag and sometimes vomit.

I'm left with 2 of 33 rads and finished 3 of 6 chemo treatments (finished 3 of 3 chemos concurrent with rads). Everything (moving my tongue, spitting, swallowing) hurts like hell now.

Thanks all.

Comments

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #2
    Hi Andrew

    You are right at the end of the finish line with the Rad treatment that is great my friend. On the mucus I was the same way I did the mouth rinse and nasal rinse just still had the mucus problem. One thing you may need to look into mucus is not supposed to be green, that sometimes can be a fungus or an infection, so let your doctor check it the next time you go for treatment.

    Take care and keep doing well, soon the healing process will begain.
    Hondo
  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #3
    ac
    What cancer did you have? I just read your profile and it confused me. Thanks.
  • Husker Fan
    Husker Fan Member Posts: 65
    #4
    Suction Machine
    AC

    My doctor wrote me a prescription for a "suction machine" that I got at the local medical supply pharmacy, the respitory department. It's similar to the suction tube at your dentists office, but a home version.

    Take care,

    David
  • ac
    ac Member Posts: 88 Member
    #5
    longtermsurvivor said:

    ac
    What cancer did you have? I just read your profile and it confused me. Thanks.

    NPC
    This is my 2nd primary. My 1st was colorectal. I have updated my profile. But there isn't an option for NPC.
  • fisrpotpe
    fisrpotpe Member Posts: 1,349 Member
    #6
    Husker Fan said:

    Suction Machine
    AC

    My doctor wrote me a prescription for a "suction machine" that I got at the local medical supply pharmacy, the respitory department. It's similar to the suction tube at your dentists office, but a home version.

    Take care,

    David

    Suction Machine
    Suction Machine what a life safer.

    I believe it should be along with IV fluids should be a must the doctors prescribe that goes with the treatment plan.

    John
  • Greend
    Greend Member Posts: 678
    #7
    Mucus
    I haven't tried the suction machine but I do have a "routine" I go through to clear the mucus every night. I gargle with a mixture of peroxide and water (the "teeth whitening" products are the same but cost more) followed by a rinse with "dry mouth" mouth wash, Biotene or other generic products. Then the real action takes place when I get into a steamy hot shower. I try to inhale water through my nose and then a few good coughs and I bring up some prize winners that would walk off with any award if they had one at the county fair for biggest lugie. I also always keep napkins in my car so if I start coughing I will protect those around me - kleenex just doesn't do the job.

    I tried mucinex however I have lost the ability to swallow so this just gave me more mucus but much less thick.

    My but we have some good conversations on this board don't we. :>)

    Denny
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #8
    Greend said:

    Mucus
    I haven't tried the suction machine but I do have a "routine" I go through to clear the mucus every night. I gargle with a mixture of peroxide and water (the "teeth whitening" products are the same but cost more) followed by a rinse with "dry mouth" mouth wash, Biotene or other generic products. Then the real action takes place when I get into a steamy hot shower. I try to inhale water through my nose and then a few good coughs and I bring up some prize winners that would walk off with any award if they had one at the county fair for biggest lugie. I also always keep napkins in my car so if I start coughing I will protect those around me - kleenex just doesn't do the job.

    I tried mucinex however I have lost the ability to swallow so this just gave me more mucus but much less thick.

    My but we have some good conversations on this board don't we. :>)

    Denny

    Denny

    It’s what keeps us all alive and going, another reason what we all need each other. You can't get this info from a doctor

    Hondo
  • jim and i
    jim and i Member Posts: 1,788 Member
    #9
    mucinex
    mucinex has now come out with a liquid. I put it in Jim's PEG since pills hang in his throat. This has helped thin the mucus and cough it up. But, his is nowhere as big as yours. Praying things get better for you.

    Debbie
  • jim and i
    jim and i Member Posts: 1,788 Member
    #10
    Greend said:

    Mucus
    I haven't tried the suction machine but I do have a "routine" I go through to clear the mucus every night. I gargle with a mixture of peroxide and water (the "teeth whitening" products are the same but cost more) followed by a rinse with "dry mouth" mouth wash, Biotene or other generic products. Then the real action takes place when I get into a steamy hot shower. I try to inhale water through my nose and then a few good coughs and I bring up some prize winners that would walk off with any award if they had one at the county fair for biggest lugie. I also always keep napkins in my car so if I start coughing I will protect those around me - kleenex just doesn't do the job.

    I tried mucinex however I have lost the ability to swallow so this just gave me more mucus but much less thick.

    My but we have some good conversations on this board don't we. :>)

    Denny

    peroxide
    I have heard mentioned this peroxide rinse by several but no one ever says the ratio to use. Is it regular peroxide? Can you give me the formula for ratio of peroxide to water.

    Thanks Debbie
  • SamandIrene
    SamandIrene Member Posts: 10
    #11
    How does the suction machine work?
    A few of you mentioned using a suction machine. Can you tell me how that works? Is it like a tube? Where do you place it? If it works I'd love to tell my husband about it.

    Thanks,
    Irene
  • Husker Fan
    Husker Fan Member Posts: 65
    #12
    SamandIrene said:

    How does the suction machine work?
    A few of you mentioned using a suction machine. Can you tell me how that works? Is it like a tube? Where do you place it? If it works I'd love to tell my husband about it.

    Thanks,
    Irene

    It works like....
    Irene,

    It works just like the suction thing your dentist uses. There is a pump, a short hose to a "reservoir" with a backflow preventer (keeps the gunk from the pump and puts it in the reservoir), then a longer hose with a "wand" on the end. The wand is what you put into your mouth to suck away the mucus. You can adjust the suction strength.

    Hope this helps,

    David
  • Greend
    Greend Member Posts: 678
    #13
    jim and i said:

    peroxide
    I have heard mentioned this peroxide rinse by several but no one ever says the ratio to use. Is it regular peroxide? Can you give me the formula for ratio of peroxide to water.

    Thanks Debbie

    try the teeth whitener first
    Debbie,

    I would try the teeth whitener first, it is pre mixed and store brand is cheap(er). I don't know the ration I use, like my wife's cooking, I just add a bit of water to H2O2 probably 1/3 peroxide to 2/3 water.
  • Greend
    Greend Member Posts: 678
    #14
    jim and i said:

    peroxide
    I have heard mentioned this peroxide rinse by several but no one ever says the ratio to use. Is it regular peroxide? Can you give me the formula for ratio of peroxide to water.

    Thanks Debbie

    try the teeth whitener first
    Debbie,

    I would try the teeth whitener first, it is pre mixed and store brand is cheap(er). I don't know the ration I use, like my wife's cooking, I just add a bit of water to H2O2 probably 1/3 peroxide to 2/3 water.
  • ac
    ac Member Posts: 88 Member
    #15
    Husker Fan said:

    It works like....
    Irene,

    It works just like the suction thing your dentist uses. There is a pump, a short hose to a "reservoir" with a backflow preventer (keeps the gunk from the pump and puts it in the reservoir), then a longer hose with a "wand" on the end. The wand is what you put into your mouth to suck away the mucus. You can adjust the suction strength.

    Hope this helps,

    David

    How far down
    How far down your throat do you have to stick it? Doesn't it make you gag?

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