Question: I'm having some breathing trouble and would like some help.

51 year old male
5'10
Caucasian
Former smoker- 33 years. 2 years smoke free.

For 3 weeks I have had trouble getting a deep enough breath. As if my lungs have something squeezing them. I also have extremely thick, jelly like, white mucus coming up out of my lungs. And copious amounts of it. I do NOT have an involuntary cough. I am voluntarily doing it because I can feel the congestion. Almost like a wet feeling. After coughing up gobs of the mucus, breathing is easier.

Exercise does not make it worse and I have no issue walking a few miles on the treadmill every day. I breathe heavier, but I can still do it. My normal, daily routine is not affected.

I had this same issue happen last year. It lasted about a month before resolving. I had a chest CT. Radiologist reported, "unremarkable study". That was 10 months ago.

I have done a home spirometer test (2 days ago). PEF 562 L/min FEV1 3.6 Those were the highest values I could achieve with extremely hard blowing. After using an Albuterol inhaler, PEF 586 L/min FEV1 3.6

Any help and advice would be appreciated.

Thank you very much. I have been concerned that this could be the beginnings of emphysema.

I used the peak flow meter/spirometer for 5 measurements. 586 (pef) and 3.6 (fev1) are the best values I could get. Are those normal for my age? Or are they low?