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Does anyone have a suggestion for how to best extract throat phlegm/mucus for my pALS brother. He is in late stage of the illness and can no longer swallow (fed through a feeding tube). This is his biggest challenge for now, per his spouse/caregiver. I found a device online called AirPhysio which gets great reviews but none of those references using it for a pALS. Has anyone used this device or suggest other devices, or any natural approach? Thanks and God Bless!
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When my mom got to that stage, we used a portable electric suction machine to suck mucous out of her mouth & throat. Since she was also using the Trilogy non-invasive ventilator at that point, we strapped the suction machine to the rolling cart for the Trilogy. That way both could be with her at all times.
Is brother working with a medical supply company? They should be able to provide a suction machine & possible even on a rental basis. Alternately the ALS Association has loan lockers that may have one.
Here’s a link to a company that sells suction machines, so you can see what they look like: https://dmesupplyusa.com/respiratory/suction/suction-machines.html
Sending Love to you, your brother & his wife. This is a humbling, heartbreaking, and, sometimes, strangely beautiful journey to be on.
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We use a Frieda, found at a common drugstore . We attach the Frieda to a suction machine.It may seem gross but the relief is super beneficial . You can put the Frieda up your nostril very gently and turn on the suction machine. We do both nostrils and it takes less than five minutes. Our hospice nurse and doctor are quite impressed with this method.
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I’m not sure whether this is helpful at late stage ALS, but I smear Vicks above my top lip and down the front of my neck when going to bed and the vapours help in preventing/relieving the “clagging” of the phlegm and associated coughing. Sometimes I use Vicks during the day too. I also changed from a medium pillow to a firm pillow which gives a slightly elevated position rather than using an uncomfortable wedge pillow. Best wishes.
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My husband takes Glycopyrrolate prescribed by his neurologist at the clinic we attend. He also has taken Guiafenesin (plain Mucinex or Robitussin) for excess mucus as necessary. He uses a VOCSN machine which provides the following functions: ventilation(BiPap), oxygen. Cough assist, Suction, and Nebulizer. This is a great machine, invented by a guy whose father had ALS and needed multiple machines to do different functions. We were lucky to get this early in his disease when it became available I believe in 2019. We have used all of the functions except Oxygen which isn’t typically used for ALS patients. It’s nice having everything you need all in one box. Hope this might help someone.
Gail Albert
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