sputum increase

[balado]

The background to my question is that 9 years ago I contracted Legionnaires Disease. I initially recovered from this, but quite quicklt succumbed to some form of post infective debility (similar in many ways to CFS) I have always coughed since then but the last six months folowing a decline in my general health (nothing identified) my cough has become progressively worse to the extent that 6 months ago I started to produce yellow/grey sputum every 3 or 4 days, now it happens daily. It normally happens to a significant degree once a day (never in the morning or through the night) after a few hours on the golf course or after my evening meal when it will take approx. 10 to 15 minutes to clear and then its ok. I have learned to lie on my left side to encourage drainage as I think it is my right lung which is affected. I am currently on my third course of macrilide antibiotics from my local doctor who sometimes (but not always)hears sounds from my right lung. These drugs have not stopped the sputum.(If indeed it is an infection) A recent xray failed to show any real changes, but remarking on the scarring from Legionn.. and that the heart was not enlarged, and that a ct scan may be more helpfull.
My doctor has now agreed to refer me to a specialist consultant who would be able to authorise a ct scan, but this could all take many months as I live in the UK and will have to join a waiting list.
I am seriously concerned that I may have a progressive fibrosis disorder and would welcome any reassunces you can give me.
blood ox..ok
bp..ok
not breathless
no clubbing
no pain

[National Jewish]

I suspect that Legionnaires disease could result in permanent structural damage to the lung.  However I could not find any information on the long-term consequences of Legionnaires disease to support this suspicion.  With what you have described, the chances of you having pulmonary fibrosis are small.  Your chronic productive cough is a sign of some type of chronic lung disease, perhaps bronchiectasis.  Inflammation can damage the airways of the lungs.  When the airways become dilated this is called bronchiolectasis.  When the airways become distorted with areas where mucus can collect this is called bronchiectasis.  Usually these changes can be seen with a CT scan of the lungs.  Your doctor may also order comprehensive cultures of your sputum, looking for both fungi and bacteria, including mycobacteria.  A pulmonologist would be the most appropriate specialist consultant to evaluate you further.

It can be difficult to clear this mucus because of damage to the normal methods that the lungs use to clear mucus.  This can lead to episodes of infection.  Typically an ongoing infection can lead to inflammation.  So it is important that lung infections are treated.  Pulmonary hygiene is very important in preventing and controlling lung infections.  Using an inhaled bronchodilator may help to loosen the mucus.  Many people find the routine use of a mucus clearance device to be very helpful in clearing the mucus from their lungs.  This is a small device that you exhale into causing a vibration in your lungs that loosens mucus so that you can cough it up easier.  The names of 2 types of devices are Acapella and Flutter Valve.  Bronchiectasis can result from airway blockage along with infection, so it may effect only one area of your lung.  If your recurrent lung infections are always in the same area of the lung, surgery to remove that portion of your lung may provide a cure.  Please read our Bronchiectasis MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/bronchiectasis.html for additional information.

[littlevicko]

HI,MY 9 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER HAD A CHRONIC COUGH WITH VERY LARGE AMOUNTS OF MUCUS FOR MONTHS,HAD TO FINALLY TAKE HER 3 HRS AWAY TO LEBONHEUR CHILDRENS HOSP.IN MEMPHIS AND STAYED OVER 2 WEEKS,WAS ACID REFLUX WHICH WILL GIVE YOU A CHRONIC COUGH,INFECTED ESOPHGUS,AND CHRONIC SINUS DISEASE,JUST HAD SINUS SERGURY AND ON PREVICID STOMACH MEDS AND DOING SO MUCH BETTER-HOPE YOU GET YOUR ANSWERS SOON AND GOOD LUCK-LITTLEVICK0

[balado]

NJC  Many thanks for the response

[balado]

Thanks for the input inanga. I had hoped for some comment from a health professional....but perhaps this forum is limited to US residents. As stated in my query I am British...Scottish to be specific.

[Inanga]

hi I suffered from a constant cough for years. Chest pains follwed but they were caused from the the physical exertion of constant coughing. Shrt story: problem was excessive mucous: post nasal drip. After years of trying have finally realised it's a food allergy causing the mucous. By avoiding wheat/gluten and say the problem has gone completely. This really got bad when I canged my diet to include more wheat products a couple of years ago. I still get problems from a single bite of even a whet/gluten free bisuit that contains soy products. All the best.