"cough" that needs to be more productive .

[dormguard]

What is good to bring up a "productive cough" so that the "stuff" in the chest comes up? I am taking Mucinex, and antibiotic.....but the cough I have is affecting my COPD and is "tight". The Mucinex seems to be helping "somewhat" but is there something else out there to help bring the "stuff" up more efficiently? The doctor said once the chest area is clear of phlegm (stuff)...I won't get the "tight cough". Any help with this question, sure would be appreciated.

[Jensmom]

Hi, sorry its took so long to get any advice. I'm stage 4 very severe. 28% lung function. I know how it feels for sure. Anyway, I usually drink a lot of water and pineapple juice. Both are great to move mucus. Using a nebulizer if you have one. I do take a supplement called nac. Its really good for helping breathing, but, make sure to always check with your Dr before taking anything. Some supplements can't be taken with other meds. Watch what you eat so you don't feel bloated, it can make it harder to breathe. That's about all I've got and I hope its helpful and your feeling better soon.

Jensmom

[Newfie1]

I also use NAC, twice daily and lots of water. I'm the odd bird who refused to be relegated to a life of meds and oxygen. I used cordyceps, chaga and a daily slug of a ginger tumeric, raw honey. The weather here has been dreadful cold, making my hikes difficult, but activity helps break up any congestion I have. Was chronically suffering from pneumonia, not a sniffle since October 2017 on this regimen. Mine was not a mild case, had like 25 percent function, almost normal now.

[Kristicats in reply to Newfie1]

What do you mean by ‘almost normal’ what is your fev1 now please?

[greelycat]

My husband used a cough assist machine. In Ontario, Canada, we get to use them free of charge on loan. After he passed away we simply returned it. It was very helpful.

[lsherald53]

i drink alot of water and sometimes use my nebulizer when my chest fees tight

[walkfast-74]

If you dont keep all of that junk coughed up it fills your lungs you can get infections and pneumonia plus it blockes your airway and its harder to breathe. Its just all around better to rid yourself of as much as you can. I used to take things to try to dry it up like cough meds. I got so much built up I had to have my lungs pumped out. Medicare Care didnt pay for that either. Hope I have been of some help.

[dormguard]

You are right; one should keep all that junk out , if possible. This is good to know. Thanks a lot.

[LORBIC]

If green tea with honey and lemon doesn't do it for me I suck on lemon drops. Always drink lots of water even on the good days

[dormguard in reply to LORBIC]

Am going to try all these . Thanks a lot LORBIC !!

[JoB69]

Hi, my doctor prescribed Carbocisteine 375mg two tablets twice a day, the gunk that comes up is amazing, every time I cough I bring gunk up mostly on a morning. Only need to use my Salbutamol after doing housework or walking with my husband, if I have a chest infection then I use it most. The only other inhaler I have is Relvar. Don't know if will work for you but it does on me.

[dormguard]

I am going to ask my doctor about Carbocisteine...Thank you for the info. It helps !

[Pegstags]

I walk almost daily and i drink lots of lemon water.

[dormguard]

Lemon water? (75% lemon , and 25% water...would have to be a "strong "

dose of lemon for me, I think? ) ….. I will give it a try if it is good for "breaking up mucus and bringing it up. What about one of those steam spas that might clear one's head.... that one breathes in and out of (with the funnel...that directs the steam out of a machine)? Use it for 20 minutes then see how one feels? That might help better than a cool mist humidifier.

[dormguard]

I would think, although, one has to clean it more often that a warm steam humidifier would be "overall" good for someone who is susceptible to colds, and has COPD. Not a good idea to have a cool mist humidifier if one is susceptible to colds. I am trying to break up what is in the chest area and make cough more productive. I have been using a cool mist humidifier (my nose has stopped running) , but still I feel that bringing out the warm steam humidifier like 4 or 5 times a week and have it close by to where I sit would be a good idea? All the cool mist humidifier (the only positive thing I have noticed is that my nose doesn't run as much.....but yet...is it helping for a productive cough...what is it doing to the chest area, if my nose has stopped running? I don't get a productive cough, but need to breath better, was told by doctor that the mucus has to be broken up and brought up. I don't think really this cool mist humidifier is helping to make my cough productive at all. Does anyone have any opinions as to whether a cool mist humidifier is better for one with COPD or a warm steam humidifier for a person with COPD (whose cough needs to be productive now) ?

[Solis_1]

dormguard

For years I was dehydrated. This is the worst for coughing stuff up. When I get in trouble I know that I need to drink at least 2 litres of water a day in addition to my normal tea, coffee and the harder stuff. NAC (N-Acetyl-Cysteine 600 mg 2x p.d.) eases the mucus and makes it less sticky, but one also has to bring it up and I was not taught how to help bring it all up, but fortunately came across this site that shows you what to do chss.org.uk/chest-informati...

These 3 things stopped me having a continual infection (7 years, even after ending antibiotics) now I am clear.

Good luck

[dormguard]

Great ! Thanks you so much. I will try this.

[Hidden]

Sorry I’m late.

Lots of warm herbal teas . Lemons, ginger, honey. Apple cider vinegar is amazing for loosening it up . Breathing in slowly all the way down to your stomach and out helps too.

Exercise (walking,running,swimming )

Steam rooms or just steamy water in a bowl with towel on head

[dormguard]

Yes,..,..,.steam water, and ACV. What you are saying here, ….I will take advice also; for sure !