Carbocysteine

[Themrsh]

Hello.

I've been on Carbocysteine for about six months. I'm a singer, have never smoked, only passively on stage before the ban.

My consultant said my lungs were the best he'd seen for a woman of my age, 50, singing for 32 years exercises them.

At first the carbocysteine was amazing, for the last month whatever it is in my lungs has started to thicken again and I'm not hitting notes I should be.

I take four a day, however, I'm on methotrexate for psoriasis

My chemist has said she thought chest problems and psoriasis go hand in hand like it does with arthritis

I have 23 gigs next month so far. Is my Gp likely to prescribe a stronger dose or let me take more daily do you think?

Really feeling clogged again now at top of lungs and it doesn't shift even with a violent cough.

Thank you in advance

[Ergendl]

I'm a trained singer and lead a singing group for people with lung problems, as well as a choir and a band. Singing can be a great help, and I have never sung better in my life despite being in my early 60s and diagnosed with moderate COPD.

When mucous is a problem, I try the huff breathing technique to shift the gunge - it's kinder than deep coughing. For more info visit youtube.com/watch?v=fqZUt3c...(Not working as expected?)

Hope that helps you, Themrsh.

[sassy59]

Morning Themrsh, great reply from Ergendl and would add that the dose according to the leaflet is two tablets three times daily.

Wishing you well with your singing. Xxxxx

[Themrsh in reply to sassy59]

I read that last night. I ve been told to take two twice daily, however If no joy when I see doc on Thursday I'm going to try that. Thank you for the good luck, now 26 gigs in December, however if I do not sort this, I will be struggling.

[nanniespy]

Try using a flutter device this really helps and you can use it as often as you like. I find that this helps a lot. Some GPs will prescribe them if not you can purchase them they are about £50.

[Themrsh in reply to nanniespy]

Wo, whgat is this please. I know he is going to put me back in the inhaler on Thursday, but they only helped with breathlessness before I went on the meds, and did not help get rid of the gunk.

[gingermusic]

I personally never felt those tablets helped me at all, go back to your GP for advice

[soulsaver]

Carbocysteine doesn't work for everyone - but clearly they were helping Mrs H.

Make sure you drink plenty of water (coffee def doesn't count, black tea might..) and avoid alcohol for a while and other diuretics to get their best effect. You should be able up dose to the leaflet quantity without issue - but your script will run out sooner so still best to see the GP.

Best wishes

[jjnanna]

How strange ..... I have just changed doctors and had an appointment at the new surgery with a very nice lady re my inhalers and breathing .... she was surprised that I had been on one inhaler for 11 years ... and that I had never been referred to any breathing clinics ....then she asked me how much mucus I had and was it troublesome, well not really a problem for me unless I have a cold or infection and she then wondered why I was on Carbocysteine at all or so often and I only take 2 each morning. ....she then decided that in her opinion I did not in fact have COPD, just mild Asthma .. very eventful day .

[soulsaver in reply to jjnanna]

She could go to the trouble of doing the reversibility test to determine for sure if your issue is asthma. However if your condition is still mild after 11 years... maybe she's right. Be great news!

[Themrsh]

Bless, my docs has just called n seein him Thursday. At least he referred to me the hospital after two months of antibiotics and steroids.

He asked if I was still using inhalers. I tod him no as consulatnat took me off them. He now seems to think that the colder weather is making the gunk pile up in lungs again. Unfortunately, that is not going to help me on my gigs in December, my busiest time of year. I just wish I knew what all this gunk is, as I cannot cough it up as thick, however it does not show up on scan. Even had to pay extra travel insurance last week as its an unreseoved issue. grrrrrr

[Themrsh]

Thank you all

[soulsaver in reply to Themrsh]

it sounds like mucus plugs - v. hard to shift - needs lots of the right (c)huffing effort and back slapping &/or postural draining. You could ask for an urgent referral to the Pulmonary Rehab therapist, on the basis it's affecting your livelyhood. They'll can help get the muck moved.

[Themrsh in reply to soulsaver]

Just read a bit n ut says that these are a used after an op when u can't cough

I've not had an op. This rubbish has been accumulatimg slowly over last few years, until last Dec when I has really bad infections for four months.

They tried steroids, antibiotics, inhalers. The only thing that cleared it was carbocysteine.

A few months later, that is no longer working. 😢

He's angling at puttin me on inhalers again but they only help breathlessness when it's really clogged

[soulsaver in reply to Themrsh]

"Just read a bit n ut says that these are a used after an op when u can't cough."

If you mean the Pulmonary Rehab - whatever you read is wrong - much of PR physios time is spent are work with COPDers.

You could try the BLF helpline too and ask for their advice..

But if you don't ask... and you don't push, you wont get priority.

Best wishes

[Themrsh in reply to soulsaver]

Thank you, I have never even smoked so nothng like copd. I will see what he says this mornng, than you

[Themrsh]

Yewww but thank you, will look into that

[Nottobad]

Hi I have psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis l also have COPD when I was dx with p and PsA I was offered methotrexate and I refused to take it as one of the many side effects from that drug was Damage to the lungs.

[Themrsh in reply to Nottobad]

ahhh, I didnt know that. You know what I have been on methotreaxte for six years, they lung problems started five years ago, howver only trying to cough to clear on way home from gigs. That did not culminate until December last year for four months. Very interesting, thank you. My poor doc, i will be bombarding thim this morning with all these answers. Thank you. What causes COPD please?

[Nottobad in reply to Themrsh]

My COPD was caused by smoking. But you can get it through passive smoking and other things not all smokers get it . Even non smokers can get it

[Themrsh]

IVE BEEN TAING FOUR A DAY NOW CAN TAKE SIX BUT HE THINKS AFTER BLOODS LAST WEEK N TODAY IT WILL BE ANITIBIOTICS FOR NOW. NOTHIG WRONG WITH LUNGS AT ALL, SCAN SHOWED THAT. AS LONG AS GET THROUGH DEC GIGS WILL BE HAPP. THANK YOU ALL FOR ADVICE. OOOPS SORRY JUST REALISED ALL IN CAPS, NOT SHOUTING HONESTLY. XX