Do you take any kind of decongestant? I take Mucinex generic every morning which brings up the phlegm. you might try that......

I take mucus medication
Over the counter
It loosens it up so I can cough it out
That's probably why you have so many infections
Because of stuck mucus
Good luck
Slow and steady we go

My mum is the same and feel so helpless as I am looking for ways to keep her comfortable and with me :(

Drink plenty of water and if you have a nebulizer use it, this will help bring up some of the mucus.

I also have a real dog cough at times but i have some phlegm that i most times struggle to bring up. I just thought this was normal as on mentioning it to a few Doctors and specialists they were unperturbed about it. There was one though who said it could be my reflux irritating my asophogus. I just accept these things as to worry creates anxiety and then possibly panic which makes you very breathless.