chest discomfort/ occasional phlegm/cough

[boog72]

I'm 34 years old. A few months ago I had a bout of bronchitis. Green phlegm, low fever. one day only, general malaise, cough etc..I called my doc and they said it was most likely viral to wait and see if it got better. It did get better then seemed to come back but only slightly. I am a light smoker. five or so in the evening for about 8 years sometimes more, sometimes less. Pot as well. I was able to quit for for several days and like the typical smoker felt it was cleared up and wouldn't be that big of a problem. ThI have not felt sick again but every now and then I cough up some clear phlegm with brown spots. I haven't had a real cough and mostly the phlegm is white or clear. I do seem to have some occasional chest pain but can't tell if it's a muscle pain or something in my lungs. I have allergies(take claritin D)I also Have GERD and have not been taking anything for it. I was wheezing when it first came about but that has pretty much gone away. I don't have any coughing fits at all. just the occasional cough and sticky phlegm that comes up. it does seem to improve for a few days then come back a little stronger. I tend to overreact as well. I have anxiety issues and usually tend to think when I get sick it's something really bad. I have had a barium swallow and a chest x ray in the last 8 months all came back fine with the exception of GERD. My doc wants a cat scan and can be real quick to send me to the most expensive place to get looked at. I trust my doc and have been going to him for 12 years, but cat scans are so expensive I'm reluctant to do it???

[boog72]

The cat scan is supposed to be for my chest. I have quit smoking since posting my message and have noticed improvement. I occasionally cough up sticky clear phlegm with brown spots but not nearly as much. The wheeze seems to be gone. I do seem to still have some pain in my armpit(no swelling)occasionally and in my upper back but I'm pretty sure it's muscular but not 100%. It does seem to act up when I do heavy lifting. I sort of feel the coughing itself had been what caused this pain. Anyway I would rather get a chest x-ray than a cat scan for financial reasons, but will do what is necessary.

[National Jewish]

There are many reasons for the types of symptoms you are describing.  They can be from the upper or lower airways or both.  It is not clear what area is going to be examined in the CAT scan.  One of the sinuses might be a good start.  I would work with your doctor to determine the cause and go from there.