Pesky phlegm

[Festie]

Hi to everyone. It's been a long time since I have been on here. I have stage 4 COPD and the phlegm in my throat at night when I try to sleep is driving me bannanas! I sleep upright as I find it harder to breathe lying down. I do take carbocistene which thins the muchas but come bedtime it seems to stick in my throat and no amount of coughing will shift it. Has anybody else found an effective way to stop or reduce it? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thankyou

[RoadRunner44]

Do you use an acapella? Have you been shown how to use the huffing method to expell the mucous? Regular, daily clearance of the lungs is vital.

[Festie in reply to RoadRunner44]

I do not have an Acapella. Not been offered much in the way of phisio or guidance from my GP. Is the Acapella good!

[Lynneypin in reply to Festie]

I was taught autogenic drainage at the hospital, you could request it. And recently I read about flutter devices and bought one from Amazon. Not cheap, but I prefer that way of getting the mucus up.

[RoadRunner44 in reply to RoadRunner44]

Hello again. I would have thought you would be under the care of a consultant for COPD.

I have bronchiectasis and almost from the beginning of my diagnosis I was referred by him to see a physiotherapist who taught me the huffing method to expell mucous and also provided me with an acapella. There are other kinds beside the acapella such as a flutter. It depends on the hospital which one they provide.

I found the huffing followed by using the acapella works for me. In fact I recently attended a Repiratory Rehabilitation Programme which I would highly recommend you attend. These courses are offered throughout the year for people with COPD and also btonchiectasis. It's a 6 to 8 week course which combines exercise and education by professional people. When things get back to some normality I would ask your doctor or consultant to refer you to one. In the meantime, go on line and Google...The Huffing Method. It will show you how to do it. Best of luck.

😊

[Janzo54]

Hello Festie,

Its horrid and I know what you mean-I was prescribed Carbocistene liquid but although very effective i dont take in the evening for that same reason-the coughing is worse so i just use it during the day when im up n about.

I have a humidifier in my bedroom bought recently and this has helped me quite a bit too.

Hope you find some relief.

Janzo x

[stamford1234]

How about a hot drink. I know it sounds a bit lame but it does help me

[frankpres]

benylin mucus cough max MENTHOL flavour. especially just before lying down at bedtime,it helps me.

[Tempo57]

I find a cup of hot (strong) tea settles me. It has worked for me every time so far. I even get up in the night and brew a cup and then I can get back to sleep. Worth a try perhaps...

[vortex0]

Hi,

I always take N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) every day 600 mg one or two times a day.

It might be worth a try. Read up on it. Check the side effects and interactions with other meds before you decide it is something for you.

I follow the videos from MEDCRAM on YouTube and the lung specialist on there takes it himself and has mentioned it in his lectures. Maybe have a look.

NAC can relieve symptoms of respiratory conditions by acting as an antioxidant and expectorant, loosening mucus in your air passageways.

As an antioxidant, NAC helps replenish glutathione levels in your lungs and reduces inflammation in your bronchial tubes and lung tissue.

People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experience long-term oxidative damage and inflammation of lung tissue, which causes airways to constrict — leading to shortness of breath and coughing.

NAC supplements have been used to improve COPD symptoms, exacerbations and lung decline.

In a one-year study, 600 mg of NAC twice a day significantly improved lung function and symptoms in those with stable COPD.

Those with chronic bronchitis can also benefit from NAC.

Bronchitis occurs when the mucous membranes in your lungs’ bronchial passageways become inflamed, swell and shut off airways to your lungs.

By thinning mucus in your bronchial tubes and boosting glutathione levels, NAC may help decrease the severity and frequency of wheezing, coughing and respiratory attacks.

In addition to relieving COPD and bronchitis, NAC may improve other lung and respiratory tract conditions like cystic fibrosis, asthma and pulmonary fibrosis, as well as symptoms of nasal and sinus congestion due to allergies or infections.

Hope this info helps.