Carbocystien???

[carolg1]

Can anyone tell me what carbocystien caps actually do I'm having a terrible time damned if I do damned if I don't, my mucus is as a lot of you know relentless partly reflux part lung they think !, started at 7am bringing thick white chunky gloop up all day till 10pm then so exhausted slept woke up at around 5am got up the Muke was so dry and stuck terrifying could hardly breath stuck in airway from back of nose and throat , went to gp told me o up dose of carbocystien to 2 morning 2 eve , dear god it's just flowing out in huge mounds been bringing out for up to now 12 hours only having 10/15 mins rest in between bouts, does carbocystien make mucus or just thin existing down, I'm beside myself, my breathing is ok till the Muke builds in the throat/airway ?., so desperate xx

[sassy59]

Pete had problems too as the mucous was thinner by flowed a lot more than normal. It is meant to just thin the mucous but Pete can't get on with it so no longer uses it. Take care xxx

[2greys in reply to sassy59]

I take them, 2 capsules twice a day. When I have had a flare-up I take 2 capsules three times a day. They are to thin down the mucus so you can bring it up.I don't produce a lot of mucus with Emphysema but it is like gelatin without taking Carbocisteine and plugs up my airways, scary, so I can empathise. It does not make mucus but thinning it does make it seem more.

[carolg1 in reply to 2greys]

Thanks 2greys I as 😩 worried that they were making me make more mucus xx

[Carnival567]

I have been taking it 2 capsules 3x a day for 5 years, and it was bad to start with but now I hardly have mucus problems at all, thank goodness.

[carolg1 in reply to Carnival567]

Hi carnival, when you say it was bad to start with how do you mean ? Its literally pouring up with me so easily and not sticking fast, does that mean I'm having a massive clear out it's like a mucus factory absolutely loads but my breathing is becoming so much easier, just keep running to the toilet to expell. Xx

[Carnival567 in reply to carolg1]

Certainly not as bad as that, just more that I seemed to be coughing all the time, and bringing up mucus. I hardly cough at all now, perhaps because it has been overtaken by obliterative bronchiolitis. Frankly the whole thing is mystery to me! I hope you feel better soon. I have given up wondering what they can do for me, they just seem to find something new every time I go near a hospital. All the best xx

[carolg1 in reply to Carnival567]

I know it's endless I don't think half the medics have a clue how scary and disabilitating it is never no real answers as to why there is so much of the damn stuff at minute my stomach and chest feels full of it I dare hardly move, it makes me feel so light headed too, thanks for trying to help it is appreciated xx

[casper99]

It sounds a lot like the post nasal drip I suffered from for years because, you say it is stuck at the back of your nose/throat. It used to really distress me, running back and forward to the toilet to spit out. Has your Docter tried you on a nasal spray?

[carolg1 in reply to casper99]

Yes Casper on a few occasions but never helped xxx

[y_not]

I use Carbosistiene on a daily basis and it "manages" the mucus flow except when I have an exacerbation, then I use a flutter device to assist with clearing the excess.

Have you thought about trying a Flutter? amazon.co.uk/Clement-Clarke... (seems very expensive but gives an idea of them ... Google for a cheaper one)

[PollyP in reply to y_not]

A flutter device needs to be prescribed though as it needs to be set at a particular rate 😊

[Hidden in reply to PollyP]

My flutter was prescribed. It has no settings or adjustments, only 4 parts to it but it did come with a physiotherapy session to ensure used correctly. Just blowing through it doesn't do the job.

[PollyP in reply to Hidden]

Ok, I guess you have tried the huff method ?

[carolg1 in reply to PollyP]

Hi polly yes I just don't understand the amount of Muke I make thanx cxx

[Hidden in reply to PollyP]

Despite the numerous references to huff method on here I've never been totally sure what is meant. The info I got from the physios with the flutter included a booklet describing "controlled active breathing technique CABT". This includes clearing the mucus without coughing which I think is the huffing part.

[PollyP in reply to Hidden]

Yes, the Huff method is very similar to CABT.

Here is a video from You Tube which you might find useful ?

youtu.be/fqZUt3cAb0g(Not working as expected?)

Do you take plenty of water during the day?

That can help as well.

😊

[Hidden in reply to PollyP]

Yes, I see from video that it is similar, a cut down version.

And no, I don't drink enough, always struggling to get it over 1 litre a day, sometimes I will get to evening wondering why I feel so bleagh and it is because I actually havn't anything to drink at all all day. Bozo or what?

[PollyP in reply to Hidden]

Yes I know it is hard to begin to drink enough fluids in a day....

Perhaps think of it as medicating yourself with water ?

I sometimes add a slice of lemon to my water intake to make it more interesting ...

Do you use Facebook? There is a brilliant page on there called COPD UK.

Loads of helpful people on there with lots of good advice 😊

[kiracleo in reply to Hidden]

Look up the Huff method on line. They may have a video showing you how to do it.

[Carnival567 in reply to PollyP]

A flutter device looks like a short pipe with a cone holding a ball bearing in it, and you blow through it and it loosens mucus. Is that what you mean, because I have never had any setting on mine?

[PollyP in reply to Carnival567]

Ok I have never had one ! I just yet use a glass of water and a straw to generate positive pressure.

Is yours like this ?

allergan.com/assets/pdf/flu...

[y_not in reply to PollyP]

Oh, Derbyshire refuse to supply Flutter devices and, based only on the one I have, there are no settings available ... just get the technique right and your chest vibrates like crazy! Shakes all the gunk free!!

[PollyP in reply to y_not]

Okey dokey,

As I mentioned previously I use a glass of water and a straw to generate positive pressure in the lungs , or use a modified 'Huff' technique to shift the gunk 😊

[carolg1 in reply to y_not]

Thanks y not and yes I do have one x

[Carnival567 in reply to y_not]

I have a flutter which was prescribed by my then GP as recommended by the physiotherapist. Worth asking.

[y_not in reply to Carnival567]

Seems the postcode lottery is at work again. Derbyshire don't offer Glitters whilst k know come county's still do!

[PollyP in reply to y_not]

My resp service wouldn't give me one because it was not needed!

[Carnival567 in reply to y_not]

That was in Lincolnshire, I have moved to Gloucestershire now, but GP is Welsh. When I left it behind after a holiday last year I was going to replace it myself. I was shocked at the price, but fortunately hotel sent it on.

[ol-ly11]

Are you in UK. If you are get in touch with your consultant and physio. Physio has devices they will let you have like a flutter to use and you won't have to pay for it. I also have hypotonic saline that I nebulise to help thin and bring up sputum.

[Caspiana]

Hello carolg1 .

I have to say casper99 's reply was somewhat how I felt reading your post. Has post nasal drip ever been ruled out? I had it for a few years and what you describes reminds me of my experience. It was truly awful. I did get an operation and since then I've been so much better. Of course we are just speculating.

I know how frustrating and frankly distressing it can be. I am sorry it's so uncomfortable.

Thinking of you.

Cas xx 🌹

[carolg1 in reply to Caspiana]

I have been to ent twice and both times they said my nose is ok !! But I know i can feel it running down in big globules like a tap sometimes it's horrendous then eventually my stomach and chest is full of the damn stuff and wretching up all day so disabilitating and exhausting thanks caspina xx

[Caspiana in reply to carolg1]

It's okay carolg1 . So what did they put it down to all this mucous?

[carolg1 in reply to Caspiana]

They didn't caspina just said my nose and throats was fine mucus must me from stomach and lugs ?? No positive answer back to drawing board or favourite answer it's the nature of the beast !! But that doesn't help xx

[M67W77]

I've got bronchiectasis so there is a lot of mucus. Carbocistein thins the mucus making it easier to get rid of. Not pleasant but the drug seems to prevent choking

[PollyP]

Unfortunately it is the nature of the condition ☹️

Take care..

[Delboy68]

Hi All,

I have COPD and EMPHYSEMA, Also Chronicle Bronchitis, i am using the carbocisteine 375mg and take 1 tablet 4 times a day,or supposed to,but with working very long hours and stuff, i have had to reduce to just 1 per day, as otherwise i would not be able to work, o.k at moment i am off with Pleurisy and my Emphysema, can anyone recommend a different tablet that i can request from my doctor. Also i am allergic to penicillin so please bare this in mind. Thanks for advice in advance

dale

[PollyP in reply to Delboy68]

I was told by the Respiratory Physio that I can take my Carbocisteine 3 tabs twice a day, or 2 tabs 3 times a day 😊

I I doesn't matter which!

[Delboy68 in reply to PollyP]

Thanks PollyP,

I hope that the dosage works for you, but i can't take the prescribed amount due to i will and do then constantly need the bathroom,and when i am back at work this will not help as i am a community carer and lots of hours and driving lots of miles, also patients don't all allow to use their bathrooms and i would feel very uncomfortable, so i need a better solution for me, but thank you again for your comment

Dale

[Carnival567]

Just read everyone else's replies. I just think I am confused.com!

[Delboy68 in reply to Carnival567]

Hi Carnival567,

I quite understand your comment as everyone is different,and has different abilities to cope with all medication etc. I think personally though i will ask my specialist for more advice,but in general everyone's comments are a very good insight into what can and does happen, hope you also get better soon.

Dale