Coughing up a ‘grain of sand’?

[CoughSplutter]

It isn’t actually sand but looks just like it. I cough up a ‘grain’ perhaps once every two months. Does anyone else? What is it?

Tonsil stone?

Tonsil stone?

Another vote here for tonsil stone

Tonsil stones. Don’t smell it though lol smells disgusting!

Is it the same size as a grain of sand? If so, why does it matter?!

Tonsil Stone.

No, it’s not a tonsil stone. It’s tiny, perfectly spherical and rock hard. Doesn’t smell.

It is the same size as a grain of sand. Why it matters? Because I don’t think it’s normal to be coughing up rock hard pieces of ‘sand’ from my lungs?

Stilll sounds like tonsil stones to me

How often does it happen ?

Sounds odd. Is it coming up from your lungs? How can you tell?

I’d probably google then see the GP 🙈

But it's not hindering you in any way? You don't know it's in your lungs, could be throat or trachea :s

Go ask a Dr!

I know what tonsil stones look like. Creamy, irregular, opaque, squishy and they stink to goodness.

These ‘grains’ are rock hard, small, spherical and smooth. I’ve tried in the past to break one by squeezing it between tweezers and they’re hard to break! They seem calciferous.

I’ve done a google and apparently these stones are/can be linked to a rare lung disease, so I have taken some photos and will mention it next time I’m at the GP.

They only ever come up with a cough. As to how regular, I’d say one every two months. But I will start making a proper note now to see how often they appear.

Yes I’ve just had a google as well 🙈

Just go and see the GP - don’t wait until next time. Book an appointment.

I’ve just squished it with tweezers and it went powdery, it’s dry inside.

Yes, will go to the GP

Could it be a sialolith OP? I’ve had a couple of these before and they are hard and round.

Are you thinking it’s sarcoidosis?

Are they tiny, Steve? 1 or 2mm?

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis seems like the only thing I can find related to small, calcified stones... 😕

Yes they are OP. These actually come from your saliva glands if it is that of course.
I know that for certain in my case because I complained to my dentist of a tiny lump which I could feel underneath my mouth/neck. She had a good poke around and said she couldn’t see anything and the next day the stone came out and I could feel this tiny round thing in my mouth.
I then remembered I’d had the exact same thing happen the previous year had a google and realised that was what it was.

Hmm. Almost one year later, I just happened to do a very big cough and this grain came up from my lungs. Again, it’s very small, smooth and round. It’s rock solid and can’t be squashed.

Erm. That's an earring. HTH

The earring's for scale, the white grain is below the butterfly.

@BlankTimes

The earring's for scale, the white grain is below the butterfly.

Exactly this! The one last year (and previous years) were a little bigger, but not much. As I say they are just like a grain of sand. Small, smooth and rock hard.

In fact, here is last August’s photo. I just hope this thread might be seen by someone who knows what on earth they are.

@CoughSplutter

I’ve just squished it with tweezers and it went powdery, it’s dry inside.

Yes, will go to the GP

What did the GP say when you went?

Well this thread is nearly a year old so hopefully you consulted a doctor? Keep them in a bag.