pulmonary fibrosis

[Meljobe]

My husband has pulmonary fibrosis. When the weather is damp and rainy it is terrible to see him choking and gagging trying to bring up and spit out thick horrible white mucus. I am sorry to sound so gross with this description but there is no other way. Does any one know if this mucus is part of this terminal disease? He does not want any of us (his family) to call and ask his pulmonary doctor this question.  
Mel


This discussion is related to Coughing up white mucus in shower.

[robbiesgranny]

My mother had idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. I am so very sorry to say that the choking, gagging  and spitting out thick white mucus is a part of this terrible lung disease. I helped to care for my mother during her illness.  The choking, gagging and spitting up thick white mucus became a daily thing for her.  Weather change does greatly effect lung diseases it seems.  I myself have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. And weather changes greatly bother me. With my lung disease there is alot of mucus as well. We lost momma on August 20, 2007. Four months after a lung transplant. My heart so goes out to your husband, you and all family members.  Mother would also have these spells with the mucus at nights mostly. But after a time,  that changed as well. Mother's doctor put her on a strong cough medicine. It worked for a good while. Is your husband considering lung transplant? Many are successful, eventhogh my mother's was not. She was 69 when she had the transplant, so she was elderly. Really your husband needs to be seen by his pulmonary doctor. There is no shame in this mucus problem, as it is part of pulmonary fibrosis. I will pray for you all. I hoped I helped you some. I am no expert on pulmonary fibrosis as I am no doctor. But i did much research on momma's lung disease and I experienced first hand all she went through. God Bless and much, much luck. Maybe  one day they will find cures for all lung diseases.

[Meljobe]

Thank you so very much for that information. I appreciated your thoughtfulness in taking the time to respond to my question. I was told by a Chinese Vet. (the only one I can ask) that this disease can not be reversed but can be treated successfully with accupunture and Chinese herbs preventing it from progressing.  I told my husband this and he is going to a Chinese Doctor for accupunture and is taking herbs of some kind. If this man is actually a medical doctor I do not know. What ever herb he is giving him apparently is breaking up the mucus. The only Chinese Doctor I know is a friend of many years. He will not prescribe any medication with out giving a complete physical and reviewing all records. I find it odd nothing is asked by the Doctor my husband is going to. Thank you again for your thoughtfulness.  Good luck with your lung condition and God Bless.

[papaganda2]

Hello,   Not sure if you still access this site, but I was wondering how your Dad made out with the acupuncture and Chinese herbs?  I have IPF but am only 4 years into this journey. Always looking for alternative medicine therapies :)  I read your entries and wept.  For both you and you Dad ... lung disease is brutal for both patient and loved ones.  My Dad died from PF in 1993 at the age of 73.  Hopefully since that time some gains have been made in the fight.  I pray for you with your COPD also ... keep moving is what respiratory rehabilitation stresses!  Hope this message finds you and your Dad in a good place.  Thank you ... Judith  

[ninammam]

I hope everyone is well...
NAC will help with ILD keeping mucous thin. do a search on it quite interesting and does help, I take it on and off, along with vitamin D-3  2,000 IU'S daily, K-2 ,Selinium 200 mg. Vitamin C 1,500 mg. 7 yrs into this disease i'm doin ok. I am alergic to dogs and cats but can't part with my dogs.