I had surgery on the 17th, and now I have a cold. How can I stop the phlegm?

[lunamagica]

The cold in itself isn't that bad. I'm not coughing or sneezing constantly. but when I do, it hurts tremendously.

The surgery was in my abdomen, and I'm afraid I may do some serious damage to my surgery site.

When I cough I expel a lot of phlegm (gross, I know).

Is there anyway to stop the phlegm so I won't cough anymore?

I'm currently taking a cough suppressant (Cough DM, from Walgreens), but it's not helping much

[TexasTowelie]

1. Call your doctor about this situation.

This isn't the place to seek medical or health issue advice, particularly after surgery. You may have an infection that needs to be treated with antibiotics rather some OTC medication.

[lunamagica]

2. I don't have a fever, and I doubt they will prescribe antibiotics for a cold

[panader0]

3. Mucusless diet

A lot of fruit, grapes especially. It creates no phlegm, as do carbs, etc.

Arnold Erhet, from wiki:
Just two weeks after he completed The Mucusless Diet Healing System, on October 9, 1922, he finished a series of four lectures on Health Thru Fasting and the grape cure, at the Assembly Room of the Angeles Hotel on 5th and Spring Street, where "at least a hundred persons were unable to secure seats".[33] After leaving the building, between 11:00 pm and 11:30 pm, Ehret, aged 56, fell, sustaining a fatal blow to his skull. According to Ehret's business partner and publisher, Fred S. Hirsch D.N.S., he was walking briskly on a wet, oil-soaked street during foggy conditions when he slipped on the curb and fell backward onto his head. Hirsch did not actually witness the fall but found Ehret lying on the street.

[lunamagica]

4. Oh, wow, poor guy. I'll try that, thanks

[laundry_queen]

5. BTDT

Had bronchitis and underwent a c-section.

See your doctor. He might want you to be on anti-biotics. My doctor gave me IV antibiotics for my c-section because of my illness. It didn't really help the coughing, but prevented it from getting any worse while I couldn't give it a good hacking to clear out the gunk.

Tip: hold a pillow against your incision while you cough. It helps with the pain and makes you feel more 'secure' that your insides won't end up on the floor.

[TexasBushwhacker]

8. I agree about the pillow

Not cough suppressants though. You want to get that stuff OUT. Take plain Robitussin (guafenesin) and drink plenty of water and other clear fluids. NO DAIRY.

[lunamagica]

6. All right Texas Toweli and laundry queen. I'll call the Dr. Thank you

[The empressof all]

7. I agree call your doctor and along with her prescription try this

Take one or two garlic capsules every hour chased with a tablespoon of lemon juice with a generous sprinkle of cayenne pepper on it. I sometimes chase it with a shot of scotch but that might not be wise for you Drink water afterwards instead. Do it every hour. This usually clears out the lungs in a day or two if you do it faithfully.

[MineralMan]

9. Ask your doctor, not DUers.

Seriously. If there are doctors here, they know better than to give advice without examining you. DU is not a place for medical advice of any kind.

Frankly, I've seen three or four posts already in this thread giving you bad advice. Ask you doctor or go to urgent care.

[grasswire]

10. don't suppress that cough!

Doctors often recommend Mucinex to help get rid of the mucous. But your doctor may want to see you.

Yes on the pillow to help cough.

[mackerel]

11. ACV with honey and water

[lunamagica]

12. Thanks everyone. I was taking the cough suppressant because it hurs to cough and I'm

afraid it will cause damage to the surgery.

I'll talk to the Dr. tomorrow.
Again, thanks!

[pinboy3niner]

13. There's one sure way to fix it

You need the Witch Doctor!

Good luck and get better soon! I know how painful a cough can be after surgery.

[lunamagica]

14. Hey, I feel better already!

Thanks