When you cough up mucus do you always go on oral antibodics?

A

Asexyblond23

New member
Until about a year ago I NEVER had a productive cough so this is all new for me. Over the past year I have had a productiove cough on and off. I have had once for the past say 3 weeks. Every day I am coughing up about 1/2 of green light and dark mucus. With a productive cough do you always cough up stuff all the time or is it jsut when you have an infection going on? My doctor ordered cirpo and augmentin for me for 2 weeks to start tomm, i just dont want to use them to much and become resistant to them. I was just on this same dose in Nov for 2 weeks. WHat about all of you, how does this coughing up stuff all the time like at least every 1/2 hour work?
 
A

Asexyblond23

New member
Until about a year ago I NEVER had a productive cough so this is all new for me. Over the past year I have had a productiove cough on and off. I have had once for the past say 3 weeks. Every day I am coughing up about 1/2 of green light and dark mucus. With a productive cough do you always cough up stuff all the time or is it jsut when you have an infection going on? My doctor ordered cirpo and augmentin for me for 2 weeks to start tomm, i just dont want to use them to much and become resistant to them. I was just on this same dose in Nov for 2 weeks. WHat about all of you, how does this coughing up stuff all the time like at least every 1/2 hour work?
 
A

Asexyblond23

New member
Until about a year ago I NEVER had a productive cough so this is all new for me. Over the past year I have had a productiove cough on and off. I have had once for the past say 3 weeks. Every day I am coughing up about 1/2 of green light and dark mucus. With a productive cough do you always cough up stuff all the time or is it jsut when you have an infection going on? My doctor ordered cirpo and augmentin for me for 2 weeks to start tomm, i just dont want to use them to much and become resistant to them. I was just on this same dose in Nov for 2 weeks. WHat about all of you, how does this coughing up stuff all the time like at least every 1/2 hour work?
 
W

wuffles

New member
If it is not normal for you to be coughing up that volume, or that colour, of mucus, then it is usually wise to go on antibiotics. However, you should do a sputum test to see what you are actually growing, and what it is sensitive too. You don't want to be taking antibiotics when you're not sensitive to them anyway. Sometimes you can use different antibiotics so that you are not constantly on the same one.

I usually cough up one or two tablespoons of mucus a day. When nothing is brewing, it's either white or light yellow. When I have a flare-up, I cough up a lot more and it gets a lot darker. However, I do have days where I do produce more, but I play it by ear because I know what is normal for me. So as I said, if that's not your 'usual', there's probably something going on.

Tissues are your friend, when it comes to coughing up stuff all the time!
 
W

wuffles

New member
If it is not normal for you to be coughing up that volume, or that colour, of mucus, then it is usually wise to go on antibiotics. However, you should do a sputum test to see what you are actually growing, and what it is sensitive too. You don't want to be taking antibiotics when you're not sensitive to them anyway. Sometimes you can use different antibiotics so that you are not constantly on the same one.

I usually cough up one or two tablespoons of mucus a day. When nothing is brewing, it's either white or light yellow. When I have a flare-up, I cough up a lot more and it gets a lot darker. However, I do have days where I do produce more, but I play it by ear because I know what is normal for me. So as I said, if that's not your 'usual', there's probably something going on.

Tissues are your friend, when it comes to coughing up stuff all the time!
 
W

wuffles

New member
If it is not normal for you to be coughing up that volume, or that colour, of mucus, then it is usually wise to go on antibiotics. However, you should do a sputum test to see what you are actually growing, and what it is sensitive too. You don't want to be taking antibiotics when you're not sensitive to them anyway. Sometimes you can use different antibiotics so that you are not constantly on the same one.

I usually cough up one or two tablespoons of mucus a day. When nothing is brewing, it's either white or light yellow. When I have a flare-up, I cough up a lot more and it gets a lot darker. However, I do have days where I do produce more, but I play it by ear because I know what is normal for me. So as I said, if that's not your 'usual', there's probably something going on.

Tissues are your friend, when it comes to coughing up stuff all the time!
 
S

Scarlett81

New member
No, I also cough up mucus everyday. But if this is a sudden change for you, or the mucus is really thick or green then antibiotics whether oral or IV might be a good idea.

You have a boxer!! I have had boxers my whole life-its a pretty one!
 
S

Scarlett81

New member
No, I also cough up mucus everyday. But if this is a sudden change for you, or the mucus is really thick or green then antibiotics whether oral or IV might be a good idea.

You have a boxer!! I have had boxers my whole life-its a pretty one!
 
S

Scarlett81

New member
No, I also cough up mucus everyday. But if this is a sudden change for you, or the mucus is really thick or green then antibiotics whether oral or IV might be a good idea.

You have a boxer!! I have had boxers my whole life-its a pretty one!
 
P

point

New member
A few questions to consider ....

Have you started hypertonic saline in the past year (or recently) - - perhaps it is loosening older mucus from your lungs and this is why you are seeing an increase in cough/production.

Have your PFT's changed since your last check-up or in the past 3 weeks (if they were read)?

Do you have any other symptoms? Wheezing, chest/lobe pain. Draining sinuses?

I agree with an earlier post, unless you always culture the same bacteria (and your Dr. is very familiar with your flora), it is best to have a culture and determine what is causing the flare-up, if that is what you have, before going on antibiotics. Maybe you have something new that is causing the distress.

With all that said, I am a cougher. I have sinus troubles and always have overnight drainage to deal with the whole next day. I started saline last Oct and had an increase in mucus production that was nastier at first, but now it much more watery/light yellow. My PFT's are very good even with a daily productive cough so this is normal for me. My two bros also have CF. They never cough or produce much, unless there is a problem.

Go with your gut - you know yourself best. Just make sure they are using an antibiotic that is effective. Good luck - -
 
P

point

New member
A few questions to consider ....

Have you started hypertonic saline in the past year (or recently) - - perhaps it is loosening older mucus from your lungs and this is why you are seeing an increase in cough/production.

Have your PFT's changed since your last check-up or in the past 3 weeks (if they were read)?

Do you have any other symptoms? Wheezing, chest/lobe pain. Draining sinuses?

I agree with an earlier post, unless you always culture the same bacteria (and your Dr. is very familiar with your flora), it is best to have a culture and determine what is causing the flare-up, if that is what you have, before going on antibiotics. Maybe you have something new that is causing the distress.

With all that said, I am a cougher. I have sinus troubles and always have overnight drainage to deal with the whole next day. I started saline last Oct and had an increase in mucus production that was nastier at first, but now it much more watery/light yellow. My PFT's are very good even with a daily productive cough so this is normal for me. My two bros also have CF. They never cough or produce much, unless there is a problem.

Go with your gut - you know yourself best. Just make sure they are using an antibiotic that is effective. Good luck - -
 
P

point

New member
A few questions to consider ....

Have you started hypertonic saline in the past year (or recently) - - perhaps it is loosening older mucus from your lungs and this is why you are seeing an increase in cough/production.

Have your PFT's changed since your last check-up or in the past 3 weeks (if they were read)?

Do you have any other symptoms? Wheezing, chest/lobe pain. Draining sinuses?

I agree with an earlier post, unless you always culture the same bacteria (and your Dr. is very familiar with your flora), it is best to have a culture and determine what is causing the flare-up, if that is what you have, before going on antibiotics. Maybe you have something new that is causing the distress.

With all that said, I am a cougher. I have sinus troubles and always have overnight drainage to deal with the whole next day. I started saline last Oct and had an increase in mucus production that was nastier at first, but now it much more watery/light yellow. My PFT's are very good even with a daily productive cough so this is normal for me. My two bros also have CF. They never cough or produce much, unless there is a problem.

Go with your gut - you know yourself best. Just make sure they are using an antibiotic that is effective. Good luck - -
 
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