Can I choke on thick white sticky phlegm ?

[U729740]

I have had symptoms for nearly four years; it started with chronicle respiratory, difficult to breath. I was on antibiotics for over 3 years with on and off cortisone and steroids (prednisone) treatment. First I had sinusitis and my ENT specialist operated in 2004, then my respiratory problems didn’t get better and after six hospitalized pneumonia they gave me a CT scan and a bronchoscopy, the result was that my lung had collapsed and was very bad infected, they operated and removed the middle lobe of the right lung. The discomfort with breathing got a bit better however; the Thorax surgeon was not pleased with the outcome and sent me back to the ENT specialist.
Since then I have had another two sinus operations and the discomfort with this thick white sticky phlegm that I cough up and my asthma is still a large problem.
My cough helps me bring up the phlegm early morning and late at night it is so bad that I constantly have a sore throat and sometimes I am sick. I am now seeing a Pulmonologist. However, he is telling me that the problem is still coming from my sinuses, the mucus is going down the back of my throat causing chronicle bronchitis and discomfort to my airways. These debates between Pulmonologist and ENT specialist has been going on since 2004,the ENT specialist is telling me the sinuses look great. Really don’t know what to do next. The medication I have tried has not helped, antibiotics, steroids, antihistamine, nasal sprays, inhaling.

[National Jewish]

The first thing that must be determined is the source of your 'sticky phlegm'.  Is it originating in your sinuses and/or your lungs?  Only then will you and your doctors know how to tailor your therapy.

Recurrent infection of the right middle lobe (RML) is common.  It is conceivable that the disease process, chronic infection, might have spread to the adjacent lobes, prior to removal of the RML.  You need to reconcile the divergent views, on your sinuses, of your ENT and your pulmonologist.  It is hard to believe, after all this time and multiple surgeries that 'the sinuses look great.'

You should consider obtaining another opinion.  If it is feasible, you might consider consultation with the doctors at the Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA 02114, USA.

[U729740]

Why are you advising me to go to Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
This is an Eye and Ear hospital; do you think this has something to do with that? If this is the answer then I would come to the US for treatment or do they work with anyone in Europe?

The Dr's seem sure that the drainage from the nose is gong down the back of my throat causing bronchitis and reportorial problems. My sinuses are still hurting, the right side over and beneath the eye, I can feel the pain and puffiness.  The sticky white phlegm however, I am bring up when I cough, this is coming from the lungs, sometimes its so bad that my voice changes. Could this be a cleaning system of the lungs? I was a one packet a day smoker for years and they say it takes a long time for the lungs to clean themselves. Or have I got two separate problems.?

I am trying so hard to get fit again, I started doing sports four times a week, but my body seems to get so tired, starts feeling stiff and aching. My feet and hands hurt me so badly sometimes that it takes me a while to start walking as the stiffness prevents me being mobile.

[rightsideblocked]

I would bet anything that your first instinct is the right one... I have lost count of the number of times my ENT has come in and said "oh gee golly wiz your nose looks wonderful! Must be something else..." and I've continued to suffer. ENT's are not trained very well when it comes to handling PND. A PND WITHOUT ANY OTHER SYMPTOM can absolutely be a prime indicator of a sinus infection, often one that is extremely difficult to clear. I would bet that you have a very persistant sinus infection, bacterial or fungal. If its bacterial, MAKE SURE TO TAKE MASSIVE DOSES. I get a chronic debilitating productive cough for months at a time if not treated with very strong antibiotics. Now the cough, when it surfaces, takes only a few days to destroy. But every time I have to humble the ENT a little bit :) He doesn't like giving me antibiotics b/c he hates being wrong.