Back home, 2.5 days out, questions: coughing, mucus?

Hi, things went OK.

Dr. Cirangle and the Pacific center staff were great in general.

I had a few unexpected bumps so I stayed in the hospital an extra night, because my bp spiked, I couldn't get down a lot of fluid on day one, and I had problems with emptying my bladder enough right after surgery so I had to get a cath for the first night. (Guys, this is a problem more likely for those of us with enlarged prostate issues i.e could be any male over 40). Ugh.

Back home now, the only thing that's bothering me is that I just coughed up a small amount of blood-streaked mucus - not a lot of blood, just a few streaks. I also did this on day 1 and day 2, and they told me it was common because of the tubes they stick down your throat in the OR can cause injuries deep in your throat which take a while to heal. Anyone else remember this? The only reason I'm concerned is that coughing up bloody mucus can also be a sign of blood clots in the lung.  But I'm ok otherwise - no shortness of breath, or any other issues.

Oh, and reflux. Stayed up for half an hour last night after a couple sips of water because I laid straight back down and pretty soon I had burning in my esophagus.. chewed on a calcium antacid took care of that. Yes, I'm on Prilosec, of course.

I am only a tiny bit further out than you are and I can tell you that the mucus is perfectly normal. Keep doing your breathing exercises to cough up the mucus (did they give you an incentive spirometer to breath with?). Clearing it out is a good thing. The breathing exercises will help exercise your lungs and prevent pneumonia post surgery. Unless what you're coughing up is very bloody, it's likely not a blood clot, but be aware for other symptoms.

 yeah, the incentive spirometer and i have a love/hate thing already.  thanks so much for the quick reply..  a nurse gave me followup call from the surgical center and pretty much confirmed what you said.

I had similar questions and got a similar answer from one of my RNs in the hospital, LOL. It's natural to be a little worried about those kinds of things. I'm on blood thinners, too, because my surgeon feels I'm at a higher risk for blood clots, so I'm doubly worried.

Oh and congratulations on getting your surgery. It's a very exciting, if tiring, time.

 Congratulations on your surgery, too, Jeanette. I finally understand why they compare this to being a baby, you have to learn to do all the basics all over again. And I'm a bit of a worrier as might be apparent :) .. but I'm excited, too.

HI, congrats. Dr. C usually puts you on a ppi like prilosec to help with the reflux. so if it isn't working, call and get a stronger one. that can be fixed. and yeah, chew the tums. works well. eat all you want of them since its calcium anyway.  as far as the mucus, i didn't have that but did feel a little lung congestion. did they give you that spirometer or whatever it is that you suck on to work on lungs and keeping them clear? they gave me one to take home and use 10 times a day. keep using that too keep lungs happy and clear. gl, you will love the results as you progress. D

I totally had the mucus/loogie issue after surgery. I was told that everything shuts down with anethesia and that mucus was just sitting in my lungs so it was good to cough it up and get it out. I used that breathing thing every hour, sometimes twice an hour and it really helped me. :)

I had no blood though, but I did with my nasal surgery and they said it was from the breathing tube.

 I had surgery on Friday and have had some mucus.  I just cough it up and spit it out.  Kind of like the burps and the farts.  I also have a sparamoter which I keep using.  So it isn't just you, sounds like a few of us had the mucus happen.

your throat can be sore for a few weeks after being intubated. this is very normal. if you have no chest pain, shortness or breath, then i doubt you have a pulmonary embolism.
sorry you got stuck in the hospital that extra day and i hope you feel better soon.
Kathie (RN).

 Thanks Kathie.. I think sometimes that one can have too much information and worry about things for no good reason.. the web is a mixed blessing.