Mucus stuck

[Spacecat1]

Have tried everything consultant gave me carbinstine but makes me sick . In the morning I sometimes struggle to use my inhaler. After a while it seems to move a little but doctor keeps trying to get me to use carbinstine which I do to keep him happy but no different then when I tr to walk I struggle a bit because of the phelgm. IFeel ok eating ok etc. Just want to not feel bunged up. Of course my nose inside is so dry but cant use vaseline because of the machine I have to wear in bed. Any ideas as to what to do.

[JANET127]

My Dr ordered me a FLUTTER device. I really think it helps get all the Mucus up! I also take Mucus relief DM to thin the mucus! Hope this helps! Janet127

[Spacecat1 in reply to JANET127]

I will have a word with my consultant when I see him in a few weeks thank you. Fingers for me

[Spacecat1 in reply to JANET127]

Out of interest what does the flutter device do

[Spacecat1 in reply to JANET127]

Sorry with all the questions the Mucus relief DM is it prescription only or can I get at the chemist

[JANET127 in reply to Spacecat1]

The flutter Device somehow taps on your lungs to get the deep stuff up. Anyone else have a better explanation? Mucus relief DM is over the counter. It is Mucinex....only less expensive form! Janet127

[wheezyof]

The same drug made me very sick. I use a flutter, combined with the active breathing cycle. Drinking plenty, decaff tea/coffee, water, fruit juice, herbal teas. Avoiding too much salt or sugar all help.

Mucus is an ongoing problem and there's loads of posts on here about it.

[Hidden]

It sounds like you might need to try something different for chest clearance, and there are quite a few options starting with active breathing techniques like autogenic drainage (no additional equipment required, instructional videos available on youtube) through to using a device like an acapella (flutter) or some kind of pep based physio aid, which you would probably need to get from a respiratory consultant. These work by adding either vibrations or positive expiratory pressure, or sometimes both in the case of devices like an Aerobika, to help clear sputum from the airways. You don’t say what inhaler you are taking, but salbutamol pre chest clearance is always a good idea as it’ll open up the airways to help you get more of the gunk up. If you take a steroid based inhaler, do it after you’ve cleared out your chest otherwise it will have reduced efficacy due to being unable to properly reach the surface of the lungs.

As per another reply, staying well-hydrated is very important, as this well help keep your sputum thinner and less sticky, and another thing to consider is your dairy intake; whilst the idea that dairy can increase mucus production has now been disproven, there is still some evidence that dairy intake does lead to thicker mucus, so if you have a lot of milk/cheese etc. in your diet you might inadvertently be making your own situation worse. I’m not saying cut dairy out, just that you should be aware of the possibility.

[Spacecat1 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. Luckily I dont have too much in dairy intake. I try to do my breathing exercise every day. If I could cough I'm sure that would help but I never cough. I'm lucky I dont get colds which I sometimes wish I did then I could have a good cough to bring the phlegm up.thanks for your advice

[JANET127 in reply to Spacecat1]

I heard you say you can't cough? That is interesting! Why I wonder?

[Spacecat1 in reply to JANET127]

It is strange. Its been about the last 4 years. Just the copd phlegm and sinus occasionally block but that usually drains itself away. Just the stuck phlegm which is annoying dosent help my breathing

[gingermusic]

I was advised to use a small amount of KY Jelly on the cannula to keep the nostrils moist and that works well. Have you not been shown how to do the Huff to get phlegm up that works. I also drink a ginger cordial throughout the day and then pure pineapple juice at night time.

[Spacecat1 in reply to gingermusic]

Sorry should have said its CPAP mask.

[Patchpoppy2]

Hello Spacecat1, sorry to hear the trouble you are having. I take carbocistine but haven't experienced any such problems. I would recommend you speak to asthma nurse/ physio and ask for a flutter Valve. This is easy to use and I find it worthwhile in helping the production and movement of mucus. Might be worth giving it a try.

[Spacecat1 in reply to Patchpoppy2]

Thank you

[santisuk]

See if you can get hold of the other mainstream mucolytic, N-Acetylcysteine. It's a bit more expensive than carbocysteine (if the relative prices I have experienced over-the-counter are anything to go by) so you might meet with resistance on the NHS, but worth a try.

[Spacecat1 in reply to santisuk]

Thank you for your advice

[Spacecat1]

Thank you will ask

[Oshgosh]

Have you tried taking your carbocysteine with food,instead of after it.

Perhaps a change of formula may help—- if I take Actavis brand of carbocysteine,I’m fine( they are turquoise/ cream capsules)

If I take the other btand( can’t remember the name) they are yellow capsules.they just don’t work and I get ill.

It’s written on my repeat prescription now.

I have loads of mucus,use nebuliser ,also have an acapella( green plastic) which the respiratory physio gave me.

It really helps with the sputum.

Hope this helps

[Spacecat1 in reply to Oshgosh]

. People have mentioned the acapela what does the nurse do to decide if I can use an acapela or do need to see gp. The carbestine I have tried 2 types and both make me sick and dosent seem to thin it out. My daughter bought me a pipe havent tried it yet can it be used anytime does it work. This phelgmis driving me mad just stuck at top of one side of lung. Nebulizer cannot use I have problems with it. So I'm hoping the nurse will help me

[Spacecat1 in reply to Oshgosh]

Tried with food nothing changes still the same. And with damp weather that's not helping

[Kristicats]

I take NAC twice daily that I order online and inhale on a salt pipe x6 breaths at night this usually keeps my mucus thin.

[Spacecat1]

What is NAC