I would like to thank you for allowing me to join the group

[Snook]

My question is how or what do you recommend to loosen mucus. I drink lots of water but it still is difficult to move.

[oscar17]

You may want to look into a device that assists with mucus clearance. Some ideas (Canadian names) are Aerobika, flutter, quake. This is a breathing device that you would use 3-4 times daily. They provide slight pressure when you exhale along with ocsillation to shake and move phlegm in an upward movement. This is used in combination with a cough technique known as a "huff" similar to the movement you use to clean your lenses on glasses. Look to a respiratory vendor or oxygen vendor in your community for a product and more info in person.

[O2Trees]

Hi Snook, Mucodene capsules work for lots of people - they thin the mucus. Didn't work for me but that would be worth talking to your GP about as lots people here swear by it.

[happyfeet59]

Drink plenty water, steam in shower, flutter device, acapella device, tipped bed for drainage, clapping ribcage (physiotherapist will show how), nebulise medical saline solution (prescription only)

[sadie1951]

Hi and welcome Snook. I can't manage without carbocisteine capsules (one of the trade names is Mucodyne but ine just labelled carbocisteine). As 02Trees says, they don't suit everyone but are well worth a try. Speak to your gp. Sadie xx

[Hidden]

Welcome snook, you can request a referral to a physiotherapist who can help you with this and advise on techniques that you can do that will help clear the mucus. These techniques are also covered on a pulmonary rehabilitation course if you have not already attended one, your GP can refer you.

Other options as mentioned here

[cofdrop-UK]

A very warm welcome to you

Good advice from everyone. Just thought I would mention you can now get the flutter on prescription from your GP, but it is still advisable to ask to see a respiratory physio to see what technique suits you best and how to use flutter or acapella. Just gonna put links up so you can see what they look like. The acapella most commonly used in NHS is thee acapella choice.

evergreen-nebulizers.co.uk/...

henleysmed.com/product/rtp2...

Physio may give you an acapella if that's the one which suits you best but if not you can get a medical exemption VAT form from your supplier. I have had a couple in my time from the hospital but I bought my last one from Amazon and it was cheaper than the med companies even with the VAT taken off.

Good luck

love cx

[Hidden in reply to cofdrop-UK]

good advice cofdrop x

[racey14]

best thing that ever came along for me is nebulizing 6% hypertonic saline [sterile salt water] GPs don't know much about lungs, you need to ask your consultant about use of mucoclear if you like google it, you will find most chest patients now use saline, you may need weaker or stronger dose of saline, the salt draws the mucus out to make it easy to cough up. racey.

[Lurcherman]

Warm welcome to the best site for advice for COPD......

[butter-fly]

Good to have you on board Snook. Sorry but I don't have any answers. I have the same problem as you and am looking at all the answers you are getting. I had a bronchscophy recently had a lot of mucus and rubbish taken from my lungs. Told to use nebuliser regularly, drink lots of water and take Mucodene 4 times a day. Not much luck! Do hope you find something to help.

[Snook in reply to butter-fly]

Hi butter-fly. I am hoping to get some answers when I see the specialist in March but until then I am prepared to try most things to get some relief from this mucus build up. My local GP has little idea what to do .

[peege in reply to butter-fly]

Have you both tried the huffing tecnique on exhaling? You can fine a clip on YouTube. This helps me along with taking 2 Carbocisteine (Mucodyne) 3 times per day.

I'm hoping to try a local Salt Cave in South West London this week, some people swear by them so I thought it worth a try for my sinus as well as chest.

Good luck with it and wish you a very warm welcome to this fantastic site. Peeg

[butter-fly in reply to peege]

Hi Peeg. Did the huff breathing a few times as learned at the rehab classes. No luck. I'm going to give the Flutter device a try. Let us know how you get on at the salt caves. Is that the one in Wandsworth? Hear that it is expensive but first visit is reasonable.

[Snook]

Many thanks for all the advice that has been offered I will try to follow them up with my consultant but it may be difficult here in Spain.