Cough meds when mucus is hard to remove

[Roseking2001]

Hi

I hope most of you are feeling positive at the moment even though it is so chilly!

I am having trouble coughing up the mucus today and I am wondering whether to take some cough meds (guaifenesin) to help. Usually I have a good hack and clear some quite thick mucus but today I don't seem to be able to do that and my chest feels tight and I feel a bit breathless.

Does anyone else find that cough meds help at all?

Best wishes to all. xxx

[mrsmummy]

Do you use Carbocysteine? Other then that I can recommend drinking as much water as possible. Both make it easier to cough up mucus by thinning it.

[Mollysdad in reply to mrsmummy]

Agree 100%.

[Roseking2001 in reply to mrsmummy]

I don't use Carbocysteine I believe this is prescription medication? If this persists I may need a visit to the nurse. Thank you for your advice. x

[Weeannie]

I use it and find it helpful, I use Tesco or Asda’s own brand of chesty cough syrup with guifenesen, works the same as the really expensive brand x

[Roseking2001 in reply to Weeannie]

I have some Sainsburys own brand guaifenesin as you say so much cheaper! Thank you for your advice. x

[dizzie-wh]

I also find a good old-fashioned steam inhalation works( head under a towel over a bowl of boiling water) or sitting in a hot bath & getting steam in lungs as much as poss. Otherwise, have you been shown the huff method for shifting it?? Briefly you take three or four deep huffs and then a deeper one to get under it. You may find info on internet?? The advice regarding drinking more water & carbocistene is also good.

Love & Hugs to All Diz xx

[Roseking2001 in reply to dizzie-wh]

I thought I would try steam inhalation yesterday poured some boiling water in the bowl in the kitchen sink and stood over it. I must say it was lovely! I think it was the combination of the position I was standing in and the steam it seemed to relax everything and made me feel better. I have tried the huff method but it doesn't seem to help if I am feeling breathless. Thank you for your advice. x

[Shancock]

I tri d the Vicks chesty cough one that helps break down the mucus and found that helped me, I used it an hour before bed and then when I got up in morning. Lots of steam too!

[Roseking2001 in reply to Shancock]

I am going to try some cough med in the morning when things seem to tighten up-Ventolin and the med hopefully will set me up better for the day! Thank you for your advice. x

[jjnanna]

I use Carbosisteine 2xam 2xpm and I huff every morning which usually does the trick. x

[Roseking2001 in reply to jjnanna]

I may have to look into Carbosisteine if symptoms persist. Thank you for your advice. x

[starskyd]

I am prescribed carbocistine to try and help...Can be really helpful....I have days when nothing helps and wear myself out trying but it does help most of the time

[Roseking2001 in reply to starskyd]

Sorry to hear you wear yourself out! I may have to look into getting this medication if things persist. Thank you for your advice. x

[starskyd in reply to Roseking2001]

Definately worth asking gp for these.

[Offcut]

carbocistine tablets 1 to 2 3 times a day for me and it has helped no end I still have the odd day of elastic band removal but that is down to not drinking enough? I do drink hot lemon and honey and some times ( Most ) with whiskey! that always helps.

Be Well

[Roseking2001 in reply to Offcut]

Mmmmm! Hot lemon and honey with a dash of whisky sounds very warming and comforting. I am going to try this! I might need a trip to the nurse for some carbocistine though it seems that this helps quite a few people. Thank you for your advice. I hope you 'be well' too. x

[Offcut in reply to Roseking2001]

carbocistine has so helped me move it.

[bethany1- in reply to Offcut]

your elastic band type of mucus is gone most of the time .good news, i have recently went on carbosisteine and huffing breathes and although it has drastically reduced the time to clear my mucus i still have to cough to clear the mucus

[Roseking2001 in reply to bethany1-]

Hi Bethany thank you for your advice. I am going to get the nurse to prescribe me some carbosisteine, it sounds as if it will help me. x

[lKeith]

Roseking2001

Have had trouble getting the stuff up in the past, now have Carbocisteine and each morning or when it's sticking I use a small gadget I got from Pulminory rehab. You "huff" into it and after a short while the mucus starts to move. It's made by Clement Clarke Interrnational

CM 20 2TT UK It's a bit like a none return valve it will only allow you to breath/puff out, works well for me but I don't know it's real name, try to contact them.

IKeith

[Roseking2001 in reply to lKeith]

Hi Keith thank you for your advice. I am going to try carbocisteine but I don't think I can use the gadget because my lung burst 10 years ago before I was diagnosed with COPD so I think I have to be careful but thank you for letting me know about it. x