Erdostiene/Carbosysteine

[Helenamay]

I have bronchiectasls and a mycobacterium infection which seem to be worsening and I am producing a large amount of sputum/mucus every day. Does anyone take Erdostiene or Carbosysteine? I have read that they can reduce the production of mucus. If so, what are the pros and cons please before I see my doctor? Many thanks.

[Hidden]

Hello Helenamay. I’m sorry that you are feeling so horrible. The symptoms that you describe sound very much like an exacerbation of your bronchiectasis which will need the right antibiotic, in a high enough dose for a long enough time. As you have mycobacter I would suggest contacting your consultant’s secretary and getting them to ask the consultant what you should have. I’m afraid that most GPs are all at sea with bronch and tend to treat it like COPD.

Carbosysteine and similar drugs are supposed to help thin the mucus if it is too thick and sticky, so that you can cough it up. It does nothing for me although many people find it useful. It certainly won’t reduce the amount that you are producing. It is very important that you do work very hard at getting rid of the mucus that you are producing. I hope that helped.

[Helenamay in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for taking the time to reply.

When first diagnosed I was on antibiotics for four years but my consultant decided that they were not having any effect so stopped them. I will be seeing him again in December. You are right, I do not need the mucus thinning out as there is enough of it already! I really do try to get rid of it and seem to end up with "palpitations "if I don't get rid of enough so that is an incentive.

[Hidden in reply to Helenamay]

It is odd that your consultant took you off antibiotics when you have bronchiectasis. I have had it for 64 years and the main weapon in the arsenal which keeps me going is the right antibiotic. Is your consultant a bronchiectasis specialist or a general respiratory consultant? They are very different and I’m afraid that many general respiratory consultants have no expertise in the treatment of bronch. See what you think after you have seen him. If nothing changes I suggest that you look in your area for a bronch specialist. They are usually at big teaching hospitals. Take the name to your GP. Tell them that the consultant you have is not enabling you to get control of the condition and insist on a referral to the bronch expert. Don’t take no for an answer. I’m afraid that we have to be very proactive in our own interests and vociferous in getting the right treatment.

[Helenamay in reply to Hidden]

Thanks again. My previous consultant was not a bronch specialist but consulted with a bronch specialist four years ago when I started seeing him. I now have an appointment with that bronch specialist. I was on ethambutol, rifamacin and cyproflaxin. I guess I need to ask this other specialist in December whether I should start them again......if he doesn't suggest it.

[Hidden in reply to Helenamay]

It depends which bacteria is in your lungs. They should be testing your sputum every time you go to clinic to decide which ab to give you. If he doesn’t mention it I would change consultants again because something isn’t being dealt with. Let us know how you get on.

[shadow4me]

Carbocisteine helps to thin the mucus but it can make it seem more when it is loose and flowing x

[Helenamay]

Thank you, there is enough of it already so Carbosysteine is not for me.