Unable to clear mucus from throat

[Rocksbeb]

My husband coughs non stop, his throat muscles are too weak to bring anything up. I have heard that travel sickness patches can help dry up mucus and also atropine drops. Has anyone tried these or can advise. He is coughing all the time night and day.

[Kevin_1]

Hi Rocksbeb

Yes, a side effect of atropine is to cause a drying up of mucus, but most often leads to a dry mouth. It's no longer available in the States, says something.

I'm not a doctor, obviously, but I read a bit.

You could try cutting out mucous stimulating foods... Just google.

Pineapple juice is said to reduce mucous production too.

I know how distressing it is to watch your loved one try to clear their airways with a weak response . I'm sorry for you both.

I am not so knowledgeable in this area.

Best to you both.

Kevin

[Yvonneandgeorge in reply to Kevin_1]

Well George is bad with this at the moment, tried a nibuliser , cough medicine, aloe Vera spray done a bit of good, but nothing amazing xxx.

[DeDeDickson in reply to Kevin_1]

Atropine is available by prescription in the States. Don’t know that from personal experience but from working with hospice here.

xoDorie

[Kevin_1 in reply to DeDeDickson]

You'll be correct... three US sites I read said no longer available... maybe they mean over the counter. Odd.

Thanks for correcting.

[Christine47]

My husband (6th yr) has no mucus or phlegm build up. I attribute it to his getting bromelain daily, which is the enzyme Kevin mentioned that is found in pineapples. It has many other positive benefits as well.

[daffodil48 in reply to Christine47]

what strength and how many times a day do you give the Bromelain and is it just Bromelain or a combination of other enzymes. thanks

[Caz49]

Hi Rocksbeb, My husband, TJ, is in hospital at the moment. Early last month after being unwell and coughing madly, he was admitted to hospital here in Newcastle, Australia with a bout of aspiration pneumonia. He was treated with antibiotics and had a PEG inserted. He then went to a Private Hospital for convalescing and rehab. He was discharged four weeks later. Two nights ago he was coughing again, this time he sounded as if he was drowning with gurgling in his throat. As this was similar to the way the pneumonia started and that he was panicking with not being able to breathe I rang the ambulance and he was taken back to hospital. After xrays and blood tests it was not pneumonia this time. The doctor talked about using drugs to dry secretions but after talking to the palliative care nurse they suggested using a nebuliser 3 times a day with saline. Apparently this thins the mucous and it is therefore easier to bring up. They are also going to try a "cough assist machine". This has been explained as a mask which spurts air into the mouth then sucks out again. This makes the patient cough. We are yet to find out how this works but I will keep you all updated after trying this. We cannot complain about the care he has been receiving from the local hospital. Everyone - Specialist, Doctors, Physios, OT, Dieticia, Palliative Care, Paramedics and Nurses have been wonderful. As TJ is late stages and wants to come home, they are doing all they can to make this possible with all the equipment need for his care. I hope your hubby gets over this hurdle as soon as possible and you get the help you need.

Caz

[kenh1 in reply to Caz49]

We also use saline through a nebuliser and it does ease the problem. Especially before going to sleep.

[LuisRodicioRodicio]

Hi Rocksbed!!

I am not a doctor but these are my experiences that may be useful to you.

The first thing is to remain calm in front episodes of truly shocking coughs.

The second is that a physician discards an infection in the respiratory tract.

It is not a big problem that the patient swallows his phlegm.

Phlegms and cough to evacuate phlegm is a constan ton PSP.

In our case a cold has been overcome around 12 days and after she has almost no phlegm and cough for cold reasons.

The treatment with supervision of a physician was as follows:

1) Steam atomizer. To keep the air in the room moist (around 50%) is recommended.

2) Hydration: abundant intake of liquids (with thickener), is recommended.

3) At breakfast an envelope of Ambroxol hydrochloride (Mucosan) to fluidify the phlegm. Another envelope from Mucosan before going to bed. Remove the breakfast envelope when the situation improves.

4) Avoid dairy products: Milk, yogurt, cheese, etc. It seems that they favor the generation of phlegm.

5) Upon request: clean the nasal passages with saline serum until the air passes easily. Finish with a very light application of Oximetazoline Hydrochloride (Respir). Perform this operation always before going to bed.

6 Steam inhaler.Steam boiling water with a few drops of Eucalyptus essence and a small spoonful of Vicks Vaporub with a towel covering head and bowl. three times a day and always before going to bed.(Olbas oil or Tiger balm in U.K.)

7) Sleep with the bed inclined about 20º. It is not a serious problem that swallows phlegm.

8) Paracetamol upon request.

9) A suction machine, could help with the very sticky phlegm. We have not experience.

10) We have NOT used it but other caregivers indicate that atropine can help when saliva is excessive. They also indicate that after 1 or 2 years the atropine stopped working and the doctor prescribed glycopyrrolate, which also worked. One side effect of atropine is to cause mucus to dry out.

11) Drops of artificial tears to the eyes upon request and always before going to bed. If you have problems applying the drops, "Optrex spray" is an alternative.

Other complementary information:

•Phlegm and choking: The first thing is to remain calm during episodes of truly shocking coughs. The second is that a physician rules out an infection in the respiratory tract.

•It is not a big problem that the patient swallows his phlegm. For phlegm to be fluid, it is important to drink liquids. Steam inhalation from boiling water with a few drops of Eucalyptus essence and a small spoonful of Vicks Vaporub (Olbas Oil or Tiger Balm in U.K.) with a towel covering head and bowl helps. (One to three times a day.) Medications like "Mucosan" (Ambroxol hydrochloride) in the morning and in the afternoon help.

•In case of choking, raise both arms at shoulder height, breathe only through the nose intensely if posible. I not, inhale air intensely but not very fast through the mouth. Retain air a couple of seconds and then force the cough.

•There is a suction machine which helped a lot with the very sticky phlegm. We have NOT used it yet.

•A steam atomizer to keep the air in the room moist helped, too. (40% - 52% moist advisable.)

•The physiotherapists have exercises reinforcing trunk muscles to improve the cough response to choking.

[kenh1]

I mentioned in a previous reply,travel sickness patches which work well with my wife. The patches contain scopolamine.(Hyoscine) 1mg + light mineral oil and poly isobutylene. Patches last 72hrs and seem to work well. No mention of atropine.

[Rocksbeb]

Thank you all for the responses to my question. I have been told patches and atropine drops cause confusion and were not recommended, Pat has been given an inhaler to use 3 times daily to see if this will help. You are all brilliant.