COPD/Emphysema

[Squeak1955]

can anyone recommend something that would help break up mucus on lungs as my son is struggling to get anything up and he has been very poorly. I have requested Carbocisteine from gp but he will not prescribe unless son goes to surgery and he is too unwell to do that

[Patk1]

I'd ask the pharmacist

[peege]

plenty of non alcoholic fluids, warm honey & lemon. Nac-Acetelyine- Cysteine is similar to prescribed Carbocysteine but can be bought over tge counter. He could. Ook on YouTube for exercises to bring up mucus ... ie the Huffing Technique.

[Squeak1955 in reply to peege]

many thanks peege, he already uses the huffing technique but I will definitely look at ordering the Nac-Acetelyine- Cysteine

[peege in reply to Squeak1955]

quite a few people on here take it for softening mucus so definitely worth a try. There are other techniques for shifting it, I read here yesterday about someone going on a,, fours & lowering shoulders to floor to get it up. P

[eleanordigby]

carbocisteine & NAC take time to work, and in some people they don’t work at all, so if your son is really struggling he needs to get to a doctor somehow

[Alberta56]

Can he ask for a home visit? Perhaps someone can tell us if a doc has to come out if a patient requests it.

[Izb1 in reply to Alberta56]

My gp wont do home visits, even when my mum had heart failure in Spain when we returned home, I had to get a taxi to the surgery. I did have one home visit when she was dying with cancer x

[Patk1]

How old is he?

[Izb1]

Have you tried menthol crystals. I bought them from a chemist but you can buy online. They are very strong so be careful. Put a tiny amount into a bowl pour on hot water and cover your head with a towel and breath in. You could use Vicks instead. I find Ventolin helps to loosen the mucus as well. If nothing else you could try antihistamine to dry up the mucus but really he needs to visit the gp , he could have an infection that isnt clearing and that could develop into something serious x

[pickingflowers4u]

Hi Squeak1955. I take Carbocisteine to help with mucus clearing for Bronchiectasis. I'm not sure if it prescribed for COPD. I was started on Carbocisteine many years ago by a Consultant. I am unaware if a pharmacist can provide it without a prescription. IAs your son is very poorly and unable to attend the surgery maybe you could ask for a home visit? It is a reasonable request.

Personally I do not find Carbocisteine that much help, I take 6 a day, plus nebuliser sodium chloride, and still have difficulty clearing my lungs.

There are medications sold over the counter that do a similar job I understand, but havn't tried them.

Sorry I can't be more helpful.

All the best.

[Mabon4242]

I agree with the last post your son needs to see a GP but if a home visit is flatly turned you could try phoning 111 they will in some cases phone the surgery themselves to speak to a doctor.................or you could try speaking or getting a visit with a practice nurse/asthma nurse.

or your son could simply try putting almost boiling temp water in a bowl and place a towel over his head and inhale the steam..................on breathing exercises i use yoga breathing techniques seem to work for me

Caz

[Cloudy1]

Hi Squeak1955. I take 1 357mg capsule first thing in the morning to clear the sputum that has built up in the night. I find one capsule is sufficient for me, if I take more I bring up too much. Carbocisteine stops the mucus becoming too sticky. This combined with the chest clearing technique work well for my bronchiectasis. I usually clear my chest three times a day to keep the condition under control. Drinking plenty of fluids also helps. The members on this Forum are full of useful advice, I am sure they will be able to help you.