Can Food Get Into Your Lungs

[emmie]

as i don't seem able to swallow well and find that my throat is blocked.
i am trying to eat and drink water, but neither seem to be going down.

[emmie]

i have developed a nasty, chesty cough, and when i do cough i bring up loads of phlegm. which is green and brown/red.
I also blew my nose last night and the hankie was covered in blood, no idea if this is related.

[1ozzy]

https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/patient-information/conditions-treated-a-to-z/aspiration-pneumonia#:~:text=Pneumonia%20is%20inflammation%20(swelling)%20and,lungs%2C%20instead%20of%20being%20swallowed.

[emmie]

not good 1ozzy, will see what the doctor think later.

[1ozzy]

Don't think the worst yet.

[emmie]

trying not to, but usually i can feel water going down, especially when i swallow my tablets. but can't now. my throat feels sore, also when i lie down the whole of my mouth dries up.

[calmck]

Don't panic.Your cough is probably due to having the tube in your throat while you were under anaesthesia. Your throat could well be sore and a little swollen. A phleghmy cough can also be a result of this as can some dried blood. Some blood could be in your nose as well. You need to breath deeply and cough everything up. Drink plenty of cool fluids. Ice cream, sherbet and jelly will also help as well as soft food like mash potato. Avoid things like toast and biscuits.
Do you have a temperature? Take yours twice a day before drinking. If necessary crush your pills and take mixed with yoghurt or ice cream.
Were you given any anti blood clotting medicine?
If you are unsure of anything call the surgeons secretary or your doctor

[emmie]

this has only happened since i have come home. I ate ok in the hospital. and drank loads of water. I am scared of getting pneumonia, which fits with the way i feel, take anti coagulants already.

[emmie]

all my saliva dries up, even when i have taken loads of water.

[1ozzy]

// since i have come home//

It's not unusual Em, after the surgery you have had,
monitor the situation and call for help when required

[emmie]

i take apixaban a blood thinner. which i had to stop whilst in hospital.

[emmie]

the lady who came here last night, is due back today i think. i should have had anti biotics from the doctors but they weren't in the pack that my friend got from Boots yesterday.

[1ozzy]

Sqad would advise Ibuprofen
:-)

[emmie]

i already take diacodeine for pain relief.

[emmie]

i know 1ozzy.......

[1ozzy]

All the more reason to ignore Sqad;-)

[emmie]

we'll see

[calmck]

You would have been given oxygen by a mask or with nasal prongs after surgery. This can dry the mucus in your nose and result in some blood there.
Do you have a temperature, does your chest hurt when you take deep breaths. Is the air in your apartment very dry?

[emmie]

skin feels hot to the touch... i am struggling since i have returned home with eating/drinking.

[Redhelen72]

You are also probably a little depressed as you are having to do this alone.
Do you still have a mental health professional you can talk to?

[emmie]

i don't feel depressed as such, more scared of what's to come. Friends have rallied round, and a support package hopefully will be put into place soon.