The phlegm I have is definitely sticky. When I cough, most of it goes in the toilet in a clump, but sometimes it's a long string, and it's strong, cuz it doesn't break. It is sometimes 8-10 inches long. I, too, seem to have the coughing in spurts... maybe a few or even several hours will pass. Once I went almost a whole day, and I thought I was all better. I felt like celebrating! and then I coughed and sadly realized I was Not all better.