COPD & Emphysema Support Group
COPD is a progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, destruction of structures supporting the alveoli and of capillaries feeding the alveoli. Both have symptoms that include shortness of breath, among other respiratory troubles. If you are a COPD or Emphysema sufferer, join...
Has everyone here ever had "pockets of sputum" in their lung.
My dad sometimes has trouble getting rid of his mucus, as if it's stuck. A few years ago, after pneumonia, he had a visible (in X-ray) "pocket".
At his last appointment, the doctor saw a spot in the lung and felt that it looked like a mucus pocket but ordered a CT scan to be certain. The CT scan didn't tell them much, so they're gonna do a PET. (This has occurred before) . Apparently the doctor is almost sure that's what it is, but feels it's necessary to rule cancer out.
Have you ever experienced anything similar? Any tricks to soften the mucus??
My dad sometimes has trouble getting rid of his mucus, as if it's stuck. A few years ago, after pneumonia, he had a visible (in X-ray) "pocket".
At his last appointment, the doctor saw a spot in the lung and felt that it looked like a mucus pocket but ordered a CT scan to be certain. The CT scan didn't tell them much, so they're gonna do a PET. (This has occurred before) . Apparently the doctor is almost sure that's what it is, but feels it's necessary to rule cancer out.
Have you ever experienced anything similar? Any tricks to soften the mucus??
Speciifc breathing exercise and decongestive medication (Bisolvan) helps to loosen and cough up the phlegm.
Anyone else?
I think I'm just scared that it will be lung cancer.
The cat scan will reveal a lot of things an xray won't. So do not be worried until you have a reason. Also, cat scans give a high dosage of radiation, so one is enough.
There are several things it could be, maybe cancer, maybe nodule, maybe shadows, maybe scar tissue......
I use mucinex and drink lots of water to thin out the mucus. Have to cough it up and out. It is normal for the lungs to secret mucus, you just do not want it to stay down in there.
Other here ,and your doctor may know something better than mucinex to clear and thin mucus. It works for me, but some may need extra help.
My prayers with your dad, and you, for a good report.
BJ
emphysema seems to be very dry & as bj said i have to make sure i drink plenty of liquids & mucinex helps thin it some.
i have a daily inhaler that seems to help me have a more productive cough also.
it's when i don't cough the crap up that it has a tendency to go bacterial sitting & rotting in my lungs.
i have never heard of a mucous pocket. good luck to your father.
my prayers are with you.
ps. did his dr do a CT or a HRCT? (just curious cuz my pulm does an HRCT scan on me & gary had a link once that showed HRCT & how to read them---it was very interesting.)
i think the PET is with dye that specifically looks for cancer isn't it?
now jarca shows her ignorance again.
I do hope it's just like the doctor thinks: mucus hardened and stuck in there. Apparently that's common too.
Thanks for your information and positive thoughts!