It's amazing how many different medications/inhalers are used by us all. I suppose as is often said, we are all different ourselves. I am currently taking symbicort 400 am and pm and it seems to be ok. I do make sure I do not take other inhalers (spiriva) at the same time but give them a break before using the next one.
Having spent the first 5 months of the year on the endless merry-go-round of antibiotics and steroids and trying to stay out of hospital without success, I have now spent 5 months feeling better than I have for a long time. I am putting this down to NAC which I have taken religiously every day. Anyone else found this drug helpful ?
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Eve3066
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Symbicort is the twelve hour bronchodilator used like secretive I think. NAC is N-Acatyl Cysteine which was promoted to help with COPD symptoms. You need to look it up to see what they say but lots of people take it. I have been dabbling with taking it for a while but only this year have I been religious about it which is why I am thinking it's the reason for my (better than usual) health at the moment.
Thanks that sounds about right...so NAC is it tablet medicine ?ive taken note of it .ill look it up.thanks,to feel a bit active without oxygen,I'm not going down that route or steroids ,acupuncture can clear chests,I will get app.get it cleared.
I take N-acetylcysteine (1800 mg/day), but I regard it as a nutritional supplement rather than a drug. It's a form of the amino acid cysteine, slightly modified to increase its bioavailability, with many health benefits beyond the improvement of COPD symptoms
Thanks stilltruckin, I'll look up the article. I'm having more sob that normal for the last week or so I've no infection just this annoying increases in sob.
I had never heard of this but will now be getting some,do the medics recommend this if not why not sounds brilliant.Something else if learned today. Janexx
Hi Stilltruckin, do you take NAC, wondered where you got it from, just come back from Holland and Barrett in Telford shoppin centre, They have never heard of it
Can't expect a business with the overheads of hundreds of high street shops to compete on price with one that's on-line only. I trust the quality of H&B's products, enjoy 'physical' shopping, and don't need to watch the pennies too closely . . .
[Quote] . . . CONCLUSION: In this study, 1-year treatment with high-dose NAC resulted in significantly improved small airways function and decreased exacerbation frequency in patients with stable COPD. [/quote]
I've just been reading more about NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine) , there is a health tip at the end of this page article which people may want to be aware of:
I was chatting with a friend in the US today who said her lung doctor mentioned that there are new studies about NAC N-Acetyl-Cysteine that seems to say this antioxidant prevents exacerbations and flare ups, so he said for her to take it daily.
Hi BC are you referring to a zinc supplement?Do you take it?what if your on carbocisteine again I'm assuming ok I must stop the assumptions they can be the mother of all cock ups!lol Janex
as stated NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine) supplement click on the nutrient.co.uk link above to find out more. Can't quite fathom how you assumed zinc!!! Blame it on the AB's or the weather.
Sorry BC they recommend taking a zinc supplement,if taking NAC.I was querying carbocysteine at the same time as NAC and asking if they had some similar ingredients was this ok?Iwas assuming it would be fine,then correcting myself to not assume!Sorry for being so chinese Janexx
Thank-you BC yes I will .Carbocisteine being of the same family' mucolytics' I dont feel as excited about NAC today.A few questions to my doc,I cant imagine taking both would be beneficial one or the other.Thanks again BC Janexx
ha b,c, i have taken nac for 2 years now, no infections as yet,bernicexx
When I first stated to read this post I thought it was a medication you had to get from your GP but Holland and Barrett should have this how much is it, it is definitely worth trying
I'm not sure why there is such a variation in price, except I know solgar at £20 is vegetable based capsules no idea what is included in the other cheaper brands.
There are reviews on amazon about a cheaper brand which makes interesting reading:
I think I bought something like 60 capsules for about £6 but I have to admit that my son ordered it over the internet from somewhere I I received a huge bottle, no idea how much. I have to say it is very worth the money although someone on this site has said you can sometimes get it from gp. I must admit I am going to ask mine next time. You need to take 2 x 600 a day which is not cheap in the end.
When I started this I had no. Idea how much interest it would stir up. It would be interesting if those. People who are going to start taking NAC could keep us informed after a few weeks if they see any difference, we will do our own little survey !
ive taken it 2 years now,be fore i came on hear,i research my condition ,,,i advice myself ,my copd i see to it,xxbernice
in reply to
Yes I agree with you ,I'm on the same path,i will get what I need for me .
I'm a bit of quandry because of the zinc excretion, I have to be careful because of my bone health, but I am going to check with my GP about this further. I'm glad its helping you Bernice. x
Will do Toci but I am not seeing my athlete doc till December probably, if you have a good memory, remind me by pm end of Nov. I try to write myself notes to ask doc.
No I am just taking the tablets, twos a day and i am putting my 'better' health adown to this especially after reading the other responses to my original post. I think we are all taking different things depending on where we live and how much research we do. My son found this NAC last year but I didn't really take it seriously until I had such a bad first 6 months of this year. I have my fingers crossed. As I have said before I would be interested in anyone else's experiences.
In answer to your original post (and forgive me if I'm repeating myself, just cant keep up ): I do take the prescribed version Carbosisteine/Mucodyne and since I have I've not had an infection in six months. I wasn't able to tell if my good luck is down to this med OR the Montelukast or Manuka honey I started to take about the same time........ now I'm thinking it must be the Carbosis.... I was originally given it to help get rid of the last infection in March. I was later advised at Pulmonary Rehab to take it all the time in a maintenance dose of 2 caps am & 2 caps pm then add 2 at midday if I got ill, this is because it takes over 2 weeks to get in the system & start working.
When I'm feeling flush I shall buy the NAC, it appears to have 600mg compared to the Carbo. 175mg.
Carbocisteine (Mucodyne is just a brand name) is useful for keeping infection at bay by thinning mucus and making it easier to shift and expel. Infection can flourish quickly in mucus so the more you can get rid of the better!! I take the same dose as you 2 morning and night and an extra two if I am feeling I have more congestion than usual. For me, it is essential, I have always found it nigh on impossible to shift the gunk, this makes it far easier. Am interested in the nac too, although not a believer in supplements per se, most of them are just a waste of money and they only people they help are the manufacturers - all the way to the bank. but nac has grabbed my interest and am trying to find out if it can be taken as well as carbocisteine. Sadie xx
yes the NAC is interesting. It looks as though it has a higher dose of the mucolytic in it, I might get some for when I'm ill and will deffo get it if doc stops the Mucodyne.
Let me know if you find out you can take the two together. P
Hi, have asked someone in the know, you can take them together but you will end up with a larger dose of carbocisteine, so you'd have to see how it goes. Maybe cut one of the carbo doses out if taking together? Sadie xx
Ah, thanks LL, that's really interesting to know. I wonder if The Mucodyne has the same antioxidant qualities as the shop bought NAC.........
Especially interesting for me because I've been taking a maintenance dose of Mucodyne for a few month now and been infection free for 6 whole months which is exceptionally rare for me.
At least I know I can buy some if docs decide to take me off them.
ANYWAY, how's you today?
Can you get to Brockley easily? I only ask because there's the best fish n chip shop in the world there, Brockleys Rock. xxx P
Hiya chemist said it wouldnt harm to have zinc no more than 10mg can make you feel sick,helps with absorption.you might well be covered with multivitamin peeg?I would think you will probably stay on carbocisteine now I think its a long term thing to keep our little ole lungs clear more easily.Brockley is not that far away i will have to get a friend to take me there one day ,cant beat a good fish n chips.Janexx
Now iam. Really confused again. I was of the understanding that carbo was for thinning mucous but NAC does not have this quality. Anybody got anything further on this
Hi Eve that is exactly what it is for .They are both mucolytics.There is nothing wrong withNAC they both help to prevent by the thinning of mucous so helping the lungs keep clear of the mucous as when this hangs around in our lungs it makes us more prone to infection .With NAC it is wise to take a zinc supplement .My pharmacist suggested with carbocisteine aswell,10mg no higher can make you feel sick otherwise.Eve the best person to ask questions on this is your pharmacist.Something else NAC is used for is paracetamol and certain metals poisoning .Its all very interesting.Janexx
You probably need to read the information each on NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine) and then Carbosisteine to understand the difference entirely Eve3066.
Carbosisteine is prescribed by the doctor specifically as a mucolytic. To help thin mucus.
NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine) is promoted / sold as an over the counter health food supplement and described as high in antioxidants that can help support the immune system.
I think it's because they do both contain same mucolytic ingredient but the shop bought one (NAC) is governed by laws against selling medications so have to call them food supplements.
These laws came out a few years ago to control the complememtry medcines, herbals, vitamins & supplements trade.
Just to confuse the issue the prescribed drug Carbosisteine is also called Mucodyne
Good I am glad so me one else thinks this. I have been taking carbo for a couple of years now and was told I two. I'll help with the mucous but nothing else. It's only since taking the NAC that I feel better
Hi Eve3066 that is great and thats whats important its good for you.Do you now take both keep an eye on your BP. "cysteine" is a conditional amino acid which are not usually essential,except in times of illness and stress.This has been a great post I have learned a great deal,I have spoken with one doc,five pharmacists and the BLF.AS BC has suggested be wary where you buy this as there are many variables with the ingredients.Apparently there is no actual reconised literature to refer as far as the pharmacists are concerned.I understand further trials maybe on going in the future.As I said earlier the very best people to talk to re medicines are pharmacists let them know what dosages you are taking of carbocisteine and NAC and let your doc know to be on the safe side.Janexx
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Janexx
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