Sometimes when you have CF weird shit happens that nobody else would understand!
On Monday, my chest felt tight and I kept complaining to my husband that everything in my chest felt really irritated. I thought it felt like allergies, but given the time of year it seemed doubtful. As the day went on my cough become constant, but it was a deep irritated cough which is not at all my typical CF cough and I started to get worried.
Wednesday, we were driving to the river to spend the afternoon on the beach and thank goodness my husband was driving because my cough was so violent, I had to brace myself against the dashboard and each cough brought a set of stars that danced around my vision. Anyone else get that during a bad coughing fit? Of course, Kaylee is so used to my cough she was chattering away as if nothing was happening!
Wednesday night just as I was drifting off to sleep, I was awoken by a cough that felt as if it were coming from the depth of my core. That sounds dramatic, but seriously, I think it came from a part of my lungs that I never knew existed or at least not in the past 15 years. And the next thing I knew I was coughing so hard, I couldn't breath and started choking, and coughing and hoping I wouldn't pass out. And then, my lungs expelled a small rock!
Okay, of course it wasn't a real rock, but holy crap if I didn't know better I would swear it truly was a rock. And to make this gross story even more disgusting, I will point out the obvious! I expelled a plug that was so old and so dry that I can't help, but wonder if it was created before Kaylee. Because I have never in my life had a plug like that.
The next day I felt 100 x better and my irritated lungs calmed down and my nagging cough disappeared. And when I told my family in the morning Kaylee cheered before asking, "Did you take a picture of it?" This kid knows me too well, because of course I took a picture of it. It is not everyday you cough out a plug that was probably around before you met your husband. That little guy has been with me so long that I had to keep a picture keepsake.
Like I said, sometimes shit happens to people with CF that nobody else could possibly understand!
Showing posts with label Mucus Plugs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mucus Plugs. Show all posts
Friday, June 30, 2017
Monday, March 10, 2014
Plugging Along
You ever know you need to do something, but you just can't muster up the courage to do it? Yeah, that is how I felt about calling the doctor about my CT scan results. I kept telling myself I needed a few more days to mentally prepare for the news. If he told me my lungs were extremely scarred and I had no chance of regaining my lost lung function I wasn't sure I was ready to hear it. I had to roll the idea around my head a little more, process, decide how I would deal with the worst case scenario. Everyone kept asking me if I called, if I got the news and I was embarrassed to say, no over and over again. I guess I am slow to process, but I have found over the years that it may take me a little longer, but I can find my peace and move on without dwelling on the past. Had I called the next day, regardless of the news, I would not have processed and would have unsettled feeling even if the news was positive. Does that even make sense? Who knows, but it seems to work for me!
So to the results. I finally got to a point where I felt at peace with whatever news came my way and called my CF nurse. She was out of town. Figures. The doctor called a few days later while I was out jogging (woohoo!) which meant I missed his call (boo), but luckily he left a message. He started with, "I have good news and I have bad news." Great. He said the good news is...(except I really wanted the bad news first so now I was getting a little nervous and wanted him to hurry up and talk faster), "there is no infection into your lung tissue or pneumonia." Considering I really didn't even consider this an option (based on my symptoms) I didn't really find the news all that good which made me a even more nervous for the bad news.
"The bad news is....well maybe you will consider it good news (then why oh why did you call it cad news?) you seem to have some severe plugging which unlike scarring is reversible". Tears of joy (and I am not an emotional person so you know I felt relieved!!) My little K came running over and said, "Mama hug" while throwing her little arms around my body in a big bear hug. She always knows what I need when I need it. I was told to up my physio and exercise and to try to move out as much crap as possible. He didn't say crap, but whatevs.
Although that was the best case scenario in my head and I was eternally grateful for the news here is what kinda threw me off. I have been 100% compliant for years. YEARS! So how is it all of the sudden my lungs are filling up with so much mucus they are plugging my airways and causing my PFTs to suffer. I kinda figured if you did everything the doctor said your lungs would remain relatively clear. Sure, infections and scarring is inevitable and happens no matter how hard you try to avoid it, but I didn't really think I would fill up with so much mucus that I couldn't breath by doing everything I am told. I have a few theories which I will post once I figure them all out (remember I am slow to process) just in case it may help someone else that finds themselves in a similar position. Hindsight is 20/20 so maybe I can use my hindsight to prevent you from filling up with green slime.
If you have any suggestions for moving plugs I would LOVE to hear them. I am currently:
Vesting 2 hours a day
Using flutter 2x/day
Using a percussor about 30 min a day
Running 5x/week
Pulmozyme 2x/day
HTS 7% 2x/day
Inhaling L-Glutathione 2x/day
So to the results. I finally got to a point where I felt at peace with whatever news came my way and called my CF nurse. She was out of town. Figures. The doctor called a few days later while I was out jogging (woohoo!) which meant I missed his call (boo), but luckily he left a message. He started with, "I have good news and I have bad news." Great. He said the good news is...(except I really wanted the bad news first so now I was getting a little nervous and wanted him to hurry up and talk faster), "there is no infection into your lung tissue or pneumonia." Considering I really didn't even consider this an option (based on my symptoms) I didn't really find the news all that good which made me a even more nervous for the bad news.
"The bad news is....well maybe you will consider it good news (then why oh why did you call it cad news?) you seem to have some severe plugging which unlike scarring is reversible". Tears of joy (and I am not an emotional person so you know I felt relieved!!) My little K came running over and said, "Mama hug" while throwing her little arms around my body in a big bear hug. She always knows what I need when I need it. I was told to up my physio and exercise and to try to move out as much crap as possible. He didn't say crap, but whatevs.
Although that was the best case scenario in my head and I was eternally grateful for the news here is what kinda threw me off. I have been 100% compliant for years. YEARS! So how is it all of the sudden my lungs are filling up with so much mucus they are plugging my airways and causing my PFTs to suffer. I kinda figured if you did everything the doctor said your lungs would remain relatively clear. Sure, infections and scarring is inevitable and happens no matter how hard you try to avoid it, but I didn't really think I would fill up with so much mucus that I couldn't breath by doing everything I am told. I have a few theories which I will post once I figure them all out (remember I am slow to process) just in case it may help someone else that finds themselves in a similar position. Hindsight is 20/20 so maybe I can use my hindsight to prevent you from filling up with green slime.
If you have any suggestions for moving plugs I would LOVE to hear them. I am currently:
Vesting 2 hours a day
Using flutter 2x/day
Using a percussor about 30 min a day
Running 5x/week
Pulmozyme 2x/day
HTS 7% 2x/day
Inhaling L-Glutathione 2x/day
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
The Problem With Lung Plugs
Yes, I am talking about plugs again. Seems to be the theme of my life at the moment!
So I forgot to mention something the doctor told me that you may find useful to know (or not). I was telling him about my painful spot and that I hacked out a big, fat, juicy plug that I believed to be the sneaky culprit of my pain. He said that it very well may have been the plug that I was whining about. He wasn't as super excited stoked about my plug as I was, but maybe you have to have CF in order to get excited over those types of things. I was still sitting there super proud of myself feeling like I was his best and favorite CF patient for single handedly coughing up a monster plug when he told me some sad news.
He told me the problem with plugs is (I knew at this point I was not going to be grinning ear to ear for long) they cause problems even when they are no longer in the lung. Well, damn I am definitely not smiling anymore. He explained it like this (he is a very good explainer so I hope I can make as much sense as he did) a plug is the build up of mucus in your lungs and it can get hard and very, well, stuck! Unfortunately, this can cause the airway to get stretched out because it needs to accommodate this fat unwelcomed guest. So when a patient so miraculously (I added that little detail, but I could tell he wanted to say it) coughs out a very large and bothersome plug its damage to the airway is still present. It creates some nooks and crannies if you will. And anyone who has ever eaten an english muffin knows that things (like butter or mucus) will pool in those nooks and crannies. I have never liked English muffins and now I think I know why. So even when the plug is gone that airway is MUCH more susceptible to replugging.
So now I am feeling less thrilled about that plug and even slightly regretful for taking the picture of it (well, maybe not because it was pretty crazy to look at) and a little more stressed out about my little stretched out airway. He told me to think about that as a spot I have to give extra attention. I should also call him if it becomes extra painful again and maybe I will needs orals again. So needless to say the problem with plugs is they are the gift that keeps on giving...or something like that!
So I forgot to mention something the doctor told me that you may find useful to know (or not). I was telling him about my painful spot and that I hacked out a big, fat, juicy plug that I believed to be the sneaky culprit of my pain. He said that it very well may have been the plug that I was whining about. He wasn't as super excited stoked about my plug as I was, but maybe you have to have CF in order to get excited over those types of things. I was still sitting there super proud of myself feeling like I was his best and favorite CF patient for single handedly coughing up a monster plug when he told me some sad news.
He told me the problem with plugs is (I knew at this point I was not going to be grinning ear to ear for long) they cause problems even when they are no longer in the lung. Well, damn I am definitely not smiling anymore. He explained it like this (he is a very good explainer so I hope I can make as much sense as he did) a plug is the build up of mucus in your lungs and it can get hard and very, well, stuck! Unfortunately, this can cause the airway to get stretched out because it needs to accommodate this fat unwelcomed guest. So when a patient so miraculously (I added that little detail, but I could tell he wanted to say it) coughs out a very large and bothersome plug its damage to the airway is still present. It creates some nooks and crannies if you will. And anyone who has ever eaten an english muffin knows that things (like butter or mucus) will pool in those nooks and crannies. I have never liked English muffins and now I think I know why. So even when the plug is gone that airway is MUCH more susceptible to replugging.
So now I am feeling less thrilled about that plug and even slightly regretful for taking the picture of it (well, maybe not because it was pretty crazy to look at) and a little more stressed out about my little stretched out airway. He told me to think about that as a spot I have to give extra attention. I should also call him if it becomes extra painful again and maybe I will needs orals again. So needless to say the problem with plugs is they are the gift that keeps on giving...or something like that!
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Big Fat Juicy Plug!!!
Today while doing my HTS 7% I started coughing and could taste that something nasty was being brought up from my lungs. Low and behold the biggest fattest juiciest plug in all of history came out of my lungs! It was HUGE and LONG and had a bunch of little arms which I believe were plugging all the surrounding airways.
Is this the plug that was causing me so much pain?! If it was I can see why because it was a monster! The only reason I am not 100% convinced is because last night after swimming and doing my treatments I was in bed and could feel something in my right lobe moving or dislodging itself. I couldn't cough it out, but it definitely felt like a plug moving. I had NEVER coughed out a plug until about 11 months ago after my honeymoon (I think from the salty ocean air) and now I get mini plugs (the tiny tiny ones that are really hard, but oh so small) about once a week and have gotten at least 5 big ones!
I seriously cannot explain the joy and thrill of coughing these out! I feel like my lungs are reopening and I am breathing better everyday. How is this happening you ask? What is the secret?! No, I am not "lucky" and it is not a miracle or a secret, but it IS 100% DUE TO EXERCISE! Specifically swimming because I have exercised in the past and never gotten plugs out. I also have to contribute the plug expelling to airway clearance because of course this plug would not have been coughed out if I was not doing my airway clearance.
I have not felt this good since...I can't even remember! Sometimes when I take a deep breath in I feel like I can breath in "forever" as if my airways never stop. Mind you, I only have an FEV1 of 54% so it is not like I really can and a lot of you CFers probably breath better than I do. But the contrast of how I felt before to how I feel now makes me feel invincible!
Okay, nobody like a braggy post so I am done. FYI I took a pic of my plug is anyone is brave enough to see it. Now if you are reading this GO EXERCISE!!!!
Is this the plug that was causing me so much pain?! If it was I can see why because it was a monster! The only reason I am not 100% convinced is because last night after swimming and doing my treatments I was in bed and could feel something in my right lobe moving or dislodging itself. I couldn't cough it out, but it definitely felt like a plug moving. I had NEVER coughed out a plug until about 11 months ago after my honeymoon (I think from the salty ocean air) and now I get mini plugs (the tiny tiny ones that are really hard, but oh so small) about once a week and have gotten at least 5 big ones!
I seriously cannot explain the joy and thrill of coughing these out! I feel like my lungs are reopening and I am breathing better everyday. How is this happening you ask? What is the secret?! No, I am not "lucky" and it is not a miracle or a secret, but it IS 100% DUE TO EXERCISE! Specifically swimming because I have exercised in the past and never gotten plugs out. I also have to contribute the plug expelling to airway clearance because of course this plug would not have been coughed out if I was not doing my airway clearance.
I have not felt this good since...I can't even remember! Sometimes when I take a deep breath in I feel like I can breath in "forever" as if my airways never stop. Mind you, I only have an FEV1 of 54% so it is not like I really can and a lot of you CFers probably breath better than I do. But the contrast of how I felt before to how I feel now makes me feel invincible!
Okay, nobody like a braggy post so I am done. FYI I took a pic of my plug is anyone is brave enough to see it. Now if you are reading this GO EXERCISE!!!!
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Very Stubborn..Kinda Like Me
This plug will NOT move for the life of me. I am using albuterol and Mortin every 4 hours, vesting (in all different positions) for an hour at a time 3x/day, manual CPT 2x/day, using a vial and 1/2 of hypertonic saline instead of one vial, plus all my regular stuff and the thing is still stuck!! If anyone has advice, PLEASE share it!! I am desperate!
In other news, I was able to swim yesterday and it caused almost no pain. This was probably because I was all drugged up on Mortin, but I was happy nonetheless. The other great news is that I had a post swim coughing attack on my way home that was so bad that I had to pull over into a parking lot because I couldn't drive. Yes, I know this doesn't sound like great news, but it was. I really thought the plug was coming out because I was coughing so hard I couldn't breath or see which rarely happens. I did not move the plug (dammit), but I did start coughing out some very old disgusting dark green mucus. This continued all evening. It was awesome because my mucus lately is always very light yellow and super thin so this nasty stuff must have been from way deep down. It is amazing that thick nasty mucus can make my ecstatic when "normal" people would probably throw up with disgust.
Last bit of news, the other day hubber and I got to play with his 1 and something month old cousin. It was so fun! When we arrived the baby squealed and came running/wobbiling over to hubber full blast and attempted to climb up his legs. Hubber picked him up and the baby nuzzled hubber so hard, I thought the baby was trying to nuzzle right through hubber's skin. The baby loved my husband so much that although I usually have the magic touch with kids (That is my job after all) the baby only had eyes for hubber. If fact, when my husband went to the restroom the baby fell on the floor and cried hysterically until he came back. I love seeing that my husband is so good with kids and that they love him. It really melts my heart, BUT I am now concerned that if we become parents I will NOT be the favorite parent. Sigh.
In other news, I was able to swim yesterday and it caused almost no pain. This was probably because I was all drugged up on Mortin, but I was happy nonetheless. The other great news is that I had a post swim coughing attack on my way home that was so bad that I had to pull over into a parking lot because I couldn't drive. Yes, I know this doesn't sound like great news, but it was. I really thought the plug was coming out because I was coughing so hard I couldn't breath or see which rarely happens. I did not move the plug (dammit), but I did start coughing out some very old disgusting dark green mucus. This continued all evening. It was awesome because my mucus lately is always very light yellow and super thin so this nasty stuff must have been from way deep down. It is amazing that thick nasty mucus can make my ecstatic when "normal" people would probably throw up with disgust.
Last bit of news, the other day hubber and I got to play with his 1 and something month old cousin. It was so fun! When we arrived the baby squealed and came running/wobbiling over to hubber full blast and attempted to climb up his legs. Hubber picked him up and the baby nuzzled hubber so hard, I thought the baby was trying to nuzzle right through hubber's skin. The baby loved my husband so much that although I usually have the magic touch with kids (That is my job after all) the baby only had eyes for hubber. If fact, when my husband went to the restroom the baby fell on the floor and cried hysterically until he came back. I love seeing that my husband is so good with kids and that they love him. It really melts my heart, BUT I am now concerned that if we become parents I will NOT be the favorite parent. Sigh.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Pain In The Lung *Update*
So the Dr called and I have good news and I have bad news. I will present the bad news first because it is always good to get the worst part over with.
Bad News:
My lung hurts and there is little I can do about it besides take Motrin which would be fine if it actually worked well. As a result of the lung pain I am still trying to avoid sneezing (which has yet to become an issue again), coughing (big issue), and breathing too much (Ginormous issue). That wasn't too bad now was it? On to the good news...
Good News:
The Dr said that he thinks because I am being such a good and overly compliant patient, I am moving jumbo old plugs around in my lungs. He thinks it is only a plug and nothing more due to several reasons. I did not possess and other symptoms such as fever, shortness of breath, or fatigue. Also, it started soon after I started swimming again and also that I coughed out a plug not long before the pain began is another clue. He thinks swimming and acting like a crazy person doing treatments all day started to rattle things loose. He said a big ol' plug probably started to work its way out, but then got trapped. This part of the lung that is not used to being irritated got really inflamed which then caused pain. He said that I can do a few things to help speed up the process of getting this nasty plug out. He said I can drink a lot of fluid. Yes, this is doable. I can take Motrin. I will get right on that one! He also said I need to continue to be aggressive with my treatments and continue to swim. Uhh, do I have to? Because it kinda hurts a lot! I am doing my treatments as always despite the pain, but I skipped swimming today because I am hoping by tomorrow my lung pain will be less severe. I will let you all know when/if it comes out and I will be excited to see how big it actually is and it better be big after all the trouble it put me through. <---That is totally gross, but oh so true!
Random side note, but my Dr is in love with CFers that swim. He begs me all time time to start swimming again. In fact, he told me that he would give me 20 bucks if I started swimming again. Yeah, we have a weird Dr/patient relationship. He likes when I run or do yoga or bike, but he always wants me to swim. I think because my lung function was amazing when I was a regular swimmer. So if you live by a pool or have a gym membership you may want to give it a go. Be warned though because it may move mucus halfway out of your lungs and then you have to work your butt off getting it the REST of the way out.
Bad News:
My lung hurts and there is little I can do about it besides take Motrin which would be fine if it actually worked well. As a result of the lung pain I am still trying to avoid sneezing (which has yet to become an issue again), coughing (big issue), and breathing too much (Ginormous issue). That wasn't too bad now was it? On to the good news...
Good News:
The Dr said that he thinks because I am being such a good and overly compliant patient, I am moving jumbo old plugs around in my lungs. He thinks it is only a plug and nothing more due to several reasons. I did not possess and other symptoms such as fever, shortness of breath, or fatigue. Also, it started soon after I started swimming again and also that I coughed out a plug not long before the pain began is another clue. He thinks swimming and acting like a crazy person doing treatments all day started to rattle things loose. He said a big ol' plug probably started to work its way out, but then got trapped. This part of the lung that is not used to being irritated got really inflamed which then caused pain. He said that I can do a few things to help speed up the process of getting this nasty plug out. He said I can drink a lot of fluid. Yes, this is doable. I can take Motrin. I will get right on that one! He also said I need to continue to be aggressive with my treatments and continue to swim. Uhh, do I have to? Because it kinda hurts a lot! I am doing my treatments as always despite the pain, but I skipped swimming today because I am hoping by tomorrow my lung pain will be less severe. I will let you all know when/if it comes out and I will be excited to see how big it actually is and it better be big after all the trouble it put me through. <---That is totally gross, but oh so true!
Random side note, but my Dr is in love with CFers that swim. He begs me all time time to start swimming again. In fact, he told me that he would give me 20 bucks if I started swimming again. Yeah, we have a weird Dr/patient relationship. He likes when I run or do yoga or bike, but he always wants me to swim. I think because my lung function was amazing when I was a regular swimmer. So if you live by a pool or have a gym membership you may want to give it a go. Be warned though because it may move mucus halfway out of your lungs and then you have to work your butt off getting it the REST of the way out.
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