Excessive Phlegm

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
Excessive Phlegm
6
Sun, 07-13-2003 - 4:35am
My question is about excessive phlegm; not only is it frustrating, it is extremely embarassing. It has gotten to the point I've stopped accepting invitations to dine out and try to avoid being around people as much as possible. The more nervous I get about it, the worse it gets. I have to work and many times during the day will leave my desk to go to the restroom to cough it up. It occurs whether I've eaten or not, so food is not the cause. How does one go about finding out the cause and cure? What type of specialist should I see? It sounds 'croupy' when I try to break it up; and when I cough it sounds like a loud 'clicking' noise. I'm 58 yrs old, am a former smoker (quit 13 yrs ago), the phlegm is colorless/odorless. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I've told my family doctor about it and all I got was the 'deer in the headlights' stare.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
In reply to: caazmoks
Sun, 07-13-2003 - 11:33am
HI welcome to our board. I am afraid I have no idea what is happening there. I suggest that you see your Dr asap.

Good Luck

Mary

                          &n
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: caazmoks
Sun, 07-13-2003 - 11:39am
Welcome to our board,

Hopefully someone here will be able to help. The only thing I can suggest is an allergist or someone who secializes in the lungs.

Good luck,

Rain

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: caazmoks
Sun, 07-13-2003 - 1:17pm
If you don't do a lot of milk products and spicy foods, then I would suggest that you have your PCP refer you to a pulmonologist. Kind of surprising, though, that, given your concern and your quality of life issues, he didn't pursue it a little more...at least a culture (unlikely) and chest x-ray. Good luck. Hope you get some answers.

Kat

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: caazmoks
Sun, 07-13-2003 - 2:19pm
I can understand his not addressing the matter if you mentioned it at a yearly physical or when you were visiting the doc on another matter. I too have had that happen. It seems that they're so in tune to their normal matters during that type of visit that it just slips by. I would recommend that you make an appointment for only this matter and then the doc will have to address it.

Avatar for cl_campmum_of3
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
In reply to: caazmoks
Mon, 07-14-2003 - 3:36pm
Hi and welcome to our board!

I think if that was me I would ask to be referred to a Ear, nose throat specialist! I am wondering if perhaps you have a lot of postnasal drip and that is the cause... that is what happened to my dd. Good luck and please keep at the drs to find out the cause!Let us know what you do find out!

Lor

     

 

          

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: caazmoks
Mon, 07-14-2003 - 7:48pm
Hi caazmoks and welcome to our board. How long have you had the excessive phlegm problem? Since you quit smoking so long ago I do not think that is the cause but I would see a pulmonologist and get it checked out. Good luck, Bernie
Hugs, Bernie