Question: I am still trying to help my 59-yr-old male friend get a solution to his problem of getting phlegm in his throat and feeling the need to spit, sometimes every 40 seconds in episodes that can last 30 min or more. He does have periods of time without spitting, but he is controlling this spitting behavior less and less.
He has been to 5 ERs in the last 3 weeks. We finally saw his general doctor yesterday. She read the reports from his visits to the ERs. I have also seen some of the X-rays, but not the MRI's. The written reports seem to show nothing "wrong" with X-rays of his lungs or NMR images of his neck and head.
Yet my friend still has his problem. We are now considering that his problem might be psychological. But if that is so, can a psych problem cause the excessive behavior of bringing up phlegm and feeling the need to spit it out? From what I observe, he spits up 2-3 mls of clear bubbly or yellowish phlegmy substance about every 5th spit or so.
Should we collect and analyze his spit? Guidance and suggestions wanted. Thanks.

I am still trying to help my 59-yr-old male friend get a solution to his problem of getting phlegm in his throat and feeling the need to spit, sometimes every 40 seconds in episodes that can last 30 min or more. He does have periods of time without spitting, but he is controlling this spitting behavior less and less.
He has been to 5 ERs in the last 3 weeks. We finally saw his general doctor yesterday. She read the reports from his visits to the ERs. I have also seen some of the X-rays, but not the MRI's. The written reports seem to show nothing "wrong" with X-rays of his lungs or NMR images of his neck and head.
Yet my friend still has his problem. We are now considering that his problem might be psychological. But if that is so, can a psych problem cause the excessive behavior of bringing up phlegm and feeling the need to spit it out? From what I observe, he spits up 2-3 mls of clear bubbly or yellowish phlegmy substance about every 5th spit or so.
Should we collect and analyze his spit? Guidance and suggestions wanted. Thanks.

Thank you, Dr. Jnikola. I will bring your answer to my friend and the people in charge of the home where he lives.

Thank you, Dr. Jnikola. I will bring your answer to my friend and the people in charge of the home where he lives.

Dear Dr. Jnikolla,

I did type a letter to his doctor's office and delivered it to her office after hours on Friday. I did go back to that office on Monday to find out that he had been taken by his caseworker to have his blood drawn for a blood test. I THOUGHT that it was because I had left the letter.
NOW my friend is hiccupping constantly, about every 15 seconds. He has been doing that for about 4 days. He has not been eating. He asked me for Milk of Magnesia and I brought him some just tonight. He is truly sick with his hiccupping and spitting. When I was with him a couple days ago, he spit onto the pavement at his feet while we were sitting outside on a bench. The puddle he made in several minutes was clear mucus and about 6 inches in diameter. I can send photos or videos of it.
I really don't know what to do. I will go back to the place where he is staying on Tuesday and talk with the person in charge.
Sorry about asking for help, but I really don't know what to do. I will talk to the head person about your answer, which I submitted to the person in charge, as well as to the doctor, and to my friend.

Dear Dr. Jnikolla,

I did type a letter to his doctor's office and delivered it to her office after hours on Friday. I did go back to that office on Monday to find out that he had been taken by his caseworker to have his blood drawn for a blood test. I THOUGHT that it was because I had left the letter.
NOW my friend is hiccupping constantly, about every 15 seconds. He has been doing that for about 4 days. He has not been eating. He asked me for Milk of Magnesia and I brought him some just tonight. He is truly sick with his hiccupping and spitting. When I was with him a couple days ago, he spit onto the pavement at his feet while we were sitting outside on a bench. The puddle he made in several minutes was clear mucus and about 6 inches in diameter. I can send photos or videos of it.
I really don't know what to do. I will go back to the place where he is staying on Tuesday and talk with the person in charge.
Sorry about asking for help, but I really don't know what to do. I will talk to the head person about your answer, which I submitted to the person in charge, as well as to the doctor, and to my friend.

Thank you. He called me this morning and asked for help. He is hiccupping constantly, even while he tries to talk. I promised to go to him. I will tell you what happens later.

Thank you. He called me this morning and asked for help. He is hiccupping constantly, even while he tries to talk. I promised to go to him. I will tell you what happens later.

Hi Dr. Jolanda,

Today we went to urgent care. My friend is discouraged. He was not very patient or cooperative, but the urgent care nurse said that she had COPD and keeps it in check. She said that my friend's ears are full. She also looked up his nose. She wanted to know which meds he is taking. I will have to insist on learning from his facility tomorrow, because I could not tell her and my friend does not know the answer.
This nurse prescribed Flonase and Singulair tablet presecription. (10 mg).
I liked her and thought that it would be good for us to try. She said that I could call her back in a week.

While we were in the waiting room, my friend lay on his back and hiccupped. When he is standing he brings up phlegm and spits. He has not eaten for two days. He is concerned, because all he does is spit it up. I hope he lasts through the night. I will talk to the head of the facility tomorrow and hopefully go get his prescriptions.
Is there anyone else who can give me additional guidance in addition to what you have said? I have never met anyone who brings up phlegm and spits like my friend does. His phlegm is white in color with some bubbliness.
Thank you to all who help.

Hi Dr. Jolanda,

Today we went to urgent care. My friend is discouraged. He was not very patient or cooperative, but the urgent care nurse said that she had COPD and keeps it in check. She said that my friend's ears are full. She also looked up his nose. She wanted to know which meds he is taking. I will have to insist on learning from his facility tomorrow, because I could not tell her and my friend does not know the answer.
This nurse prescribed Flonase and Singulair tablet presecription. (10 mg).
I liked her and thought that it would be good for us to try. She said that I could call her back in a week.

While we were in the waiting room, my friend lay on his back and hiccupped. When he is standing he brings up phlegm and spits. He has not eaten for two days. He is concerned, because all he does is spit it up. I hope he lasts through the night. I will talk to the head of the facility tomorrow and hopefully go get his prescriptions.
Is there anyone else who can give me additional guidance in addition to what you have said? I have never met anyone who brings up phlegm and spits like my friend does. His phlegm is white in color with some bubbliness.
Thank you to all who help.