Advice

[meike]

Phlegm anyone suggest anything for getting rid of copious amounts of this vile stuff I take mucodyne but it's not doing much good. Any suggestions would be most welcome

[Puffthemagicdragon]

Do you have a nebuliser ? Nebulising saline solution works well. Explain it to your doc your problem. Maybe he can arrange for one if you don't have one.

[meike]

No I do not have a nebuliser. But I will discuss it with my doctor many thanks

[huggs]

Hi meike, I have the same problem as you, but luckily for me the mucodyne does help. There may be other drugs which do the same thing that will be of more benefit to you. You would need to ask your doctor or pharmacist about that. I have been advised to drink copious amounts of water, and, by that I mean loads and loads. This will help thin the sputum down a little. The other thing that may help meantime is a steam inhalation. Get a large bowl of boiling water, lay it on a table. If you have any essential oils you could add them, but they are not strictly necessary as it is the steam which will benefit you. Sit down on a chair and drape a large towel over your head and shoulders (tent style) and take in slow deep breaths and allow the steam to loosen the mucous. Have plenty of tissues or something handy to cough into. You can do this as many times a day as you like. I would see the doctor however, to talk over other options. The inhalations are just a stop gap and you really need something to stop you producing so much mucous or at least thin it down. I know its a chore, but drinking a ton of water does help. As Puff has suggested a nebuliser may be the answer. Good luck and take care. hugs xx

[Toci]

Drinking water and inhaling steam are both good suggestions. Just a thought but are you aware of huffing techniques? You tube shows how.

[longlungs]

Hi meike I dont know how long you have been on it,but it can take a number of weeks for some people it did me infact about 2mths.But if not you have some great advice given by others. Takecare Janexx

[Dedalus]

I have a flutter (looks like a pipe) - got it from the GP on prescription - wasn't impressed when I first saw it, but it really does help to get rid of the gunk from your lungs and pipes.

[cofdrop-UK]

You could also ask for referral to a respiratory physiotherapist to go through some clearance techniques and gadgets with you to see what method suits you best. Also if you have a consultant you could ask if nebulising saline or hypertonic saline would be of benefit to you.

Meantime you could, if you have no other health issues, lay left then right over a few pillows on the bed about 15 minutes a side or however long you feel it helps to drain some of the gunk, making it easier to get up.

good luck

cx

[meike]

Once again thank you all for your advice you are all wonderful people xx