Has anyone been prescribed carbocisteine?

[ellannabanana99]

hi I posted a month or two back about having asthma and frequent respiratory illnesses with several bouts of antibiotics & steroids but no relief. Very bad wheeze clear X-ray oxygen & heart rate ok but felt like something was stuck in my chest and was breathing like a creaky door.

Doctor since said it was whooping cough with an ongoing asthma exacerbation prescribed me clarithromycin, another course of Pred & booked me a review with asthma nurse.

symptoms mostly eased up for a few weeks but my asthma still felt out of control as was using my reliever in the middle of the night a majority of nights. Despite this the asthma nurse has been reluctant to change my inhaler even with discussions about how I previously used to take a combined inhaler when I had to use my reliever this much when I was under another asthma nurse.

Last week caught another chest infection, have been on yet another round of clarithromycin but again the loud wheezing rumbly breathing & feeling like something is stuck that I can’t cough up remains. I have frequent coughing fits with no relief, very rarely bring anything up and when I do it’s usually because I’ve coughed that hard I’ve vomited a load of phlegm up. The coughing makes me go dizzy feel like I’m choking & I have to have a good few puffs of my reliever to be able to get back ok.

My doctor has since prescribed fenofexadine, carbocistriene & another rescue pack of pred while they fry figure what is going on. They’ve said they will likely refer me to respiratory as I’ve been sick for more than 3 months this year already.

To my knowledge carbocistriene is a COPD / cystic fybrosis medicine but she did not mention anything about COPD. Has anyone else been prescribed it for asthma and has it provided any relief?

[peege]

Thank goodness the gp has finally said a referral to a specialist is on the cards. In my opinion you need a CT scan, sputum tests to find out what is growing in the mucus and allergy tests would be icing on the cake. I was very similar to you a few years ago, non stop infections, pneumonia 5 times, endless rounds of 2 to 3 week courses of antibiotics (clarithromycin was a good one, amoxicillin never worked). I didn't start getting better until after I'd seen the consultant for al, of the above, Small Airways Disease was finally diagnosed on top of asthma that is 'predisposed to lung infections' and a severe allergy to mould. I was relieved because the gp had suspected aspergillosis or bronchiectasis. A I was put on a 3 month course of Azithromycin 500mgs, 3 days on then 4 off.

I was also put on Carbocysteine, it's a mucolytic a drug which softens any mucus making,ing it easier to get rid of which is essential. Lingering mucus in the airways is in a perfect wet warm environment for bacteria to grow. Our immune system diminishes with each infection and coincidentally antibiotics also comprise it along with smoking, excessive alcohol & stress.

I believe the dose is either 2 capsules thrice a day reducing to twice daily when chest is clearer. If it doesn't suit you there is another one available. NB I'm not a medic however if I were you I'd give the helpline a call first thing on Monday 0300 222 5800 uk office hours.

Good luck

[ellannabanana99 in reply to peege]

Yes I’m glad they are finally referring me been a long time coming. my nan said she thinks a ct would be a good start. Had some sputum tests done when first started but all ok apparently but they’ve requested some more, think there going to check one of them for mould spores as there was mould present in my living room but the housing have since fixed this. I did used to suffer with sinus issues due to Unknown allergies back as a teenager and I was having lots of asthma flares up so needed to use a combination inhaler but no longer on that but think I should be. Yes I’m currently on 2 capsules 3 times a day with one tablet of fenofexadine (antihistamine) daily. Thankyou will try the helpline

[PW_R in reply to peege]

Do you get air trapping with your small airways disease? I can actually hear the slow intermittent wheeze at night when I’m lying down - like the air is slowing making its way out. Did they confirm your via CT scan & did they specify which type? I understand there’s a few.

[peege in reply to PW_R]

Oh, I didn't know there was more than one type of S.A.Disease so I have no idea PW_R . I used to hear my asthma wheezing at night but I dont hear the sort of wheezing you mention (mind you I've only 65% hearing now) and I dont recognise the air trapping you mention either.

It was confirmed after CT scan which was after full lung function tests and full allergy testing. I moved 9 years ago and present gp refuses to allow me a referral to a consultant so I've no idea what my lungs are doing now. I do know they've deteriorated, much more breathless now, can't walk and talk at the same time.

[Xlizixx in reply to peege]

Carbocisteine has not worked for me unfortunately. It's suppose to help loosen mucous but still can't bring any up.

[peege in reply to Xlizixx]

That's a shame, did they prescibe 2 capsules three times a day to start with? That's what they usually start with then later go down to 2 twice daily when yr chest is looser n moving upwards. I'm lucky, I definitely notice if miss a dose even after 10 years.There's another mucolytic they can prescibe, it's called N-Acetyl Cysteine or NAC for short. Take care.

[xcindyx in reply to peege]

Thank you - oops I've only been taking one 3 times a day.

[peege in reply to xcindyx]

Oh 🤔, perhaps that's what your gp prescribed. Better double check and if it does read only one 3 x daily on the printed label get in touch with him/her to let them know if it's not working. It's always better to get the stuff up n out.....if there is any

[Xlizixx in reply to peege]

Thank you peege, yes it does say 2 3 times a day.

[Chip_y2kuk]

Yes and yes... it is normally used in COPd but it's only purpose in life is to make mucus thinner and easier to move (and what can be reabsorbed is reabsorbed)

[ellannabanana99 in reply to Chip_y2kuk]

I see Thankyou. It seems to be starting to work as it feels a little looser tonight.

[Patk1]

Yes.its a mucolytiv which thins the mucous making it easier to get up.if u take a look at aluk website - lung clearance - active cycle of breathing.if u have an infection+ feel rattling it's important to get it up or it will keep causing infections. There are videos too.id do it cpl x day while unwell.do protect yrself frm viruses like colds flu,covid etc as they often lead to chest infections.ru only on salbutamol? Do u not have a steroid inhaler? Personally I increase salbutamol to at least 4x day todilate airways+ ease asthma symtoms when ill

[ellannabanana99 in reply to Patk1]

I’m on clenil 200mg as my steroid inhaler and have requested seretide combination inhaler as was on that as a teenager when I was having frequent flares

[Patk1]

Have u put s mucous specimen in for testing

[ellannabanana99 in reply to Patk1]

when it first started but nothing came up but have asked me to re do as still happening or incase something shows up that didn’t last time so going to pop one in on Monday.

[Patk1 in reply to ellannabanana99]

Yes worth doing.maybe viral

[GarryS]

I'm on Carbocisteine. I don't have a COPD diagnosis (my consultant says I have an obstructive lung condition but as I've never smoked he wouldn't say COPD) - my issues are asthma and bronchiectasis. Carbocisteine has certainly loosened the mucus I produce making it much easier to cough up. It is seen by some as a COPD medication though.

[SuziElley]

I take carbosisteine. I was put on it initially when they queried COPD but the tests for this were negative, just nasty stuff not clearing and the asthma getting worse. As has already been said, it’s a mucolytic med and does help to thin the mucous so making it easier to get rid of. I have also bought myself a Flutter (take a look on Amazon) which I use when it’s really bad and that does help enormously. Just search flutter reliever and you’ll get a choice.

[shirl13]

I have taken carbocisteine for years as like yourself I would cough but could not bring anything up. Was told carbocisteine would help keep mucus moving. I have been asthmatic since 1967 and have taken oral steroids daily since 1991. I still don't bring much up but there again do not cough repeatedly until like yourself feel dizzy and/or vomit. Good luck

[Particle32]

I had repeated chest infections after colds last year (the first one very bad and was in hospital). I was put on carbocisteine in January. Since then, I've had further colds but none have gone to my chest. I have a diagnosis of asthma. I have chronic rhinosinusitis too and it seems to have helped that as well.