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Change in mucus production
A couple years ago, I was diagnosed with Mac after several sputum cultures. I’ve been hesitant to go on the big three since then, however, at the advice of my new doctor for the last six months i’ve been using airway clearance techniques, including the vest, nebulizer with sodium chloride and Ipratropium, mullein tea, NAC etc. in an attempt to bring up mucus from my lungs with no luck. About three weeks ago I came down with a respiratory infection and was treated with antibiotics for seven days. Now that that infection seems to have cleared I am bringing up lots of mucus. I don’t know if that is from the residue of the infection or (hopefully) from the MAC. Has anyone experienced anything similar?
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Can't answer your question but I can mention that Ipratropium, which is an anticholinergic, is drying to mucus. When I tried Spiriva (anticholinergic) it dried me up and made clearance difficult. Maybe ask doctor for different medication which is not an anticholinergic. If it's being used for asthma or COPD there are other options.
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1 ReactionThank you for your input. It’s appreciated.
I take maintenance allergy shots once a month and have to take an antihistamine before that. This is the only time I use an antihistamine because it dries me out so much that I am unable to clear mucus during airway clearance. My doctor said once on a webinar that mucus from a bronchiectasis patient is different from other people’s mucus. She also said that drinking more water, contrary to what you would think, does not help to thin that mucus. This is where the Guaifenesin comes in.
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1 ReactionMe too! Monthly maintenance allergy shots also. Allergist is suggesting 5 years, so 4 more years! I dread taking allegra before the shot because of the drying and other side effects, mostly in sinuses. Within the last month or so I take brand name 1200mg mucinex morning and evening religiously. It's made a positive difference.
@positivethinking Before starting the abx for your recent respiratory infection, did you have a culture first?
I had a culture done a few days before as part of my intermittent sputum testing for MAC. Before prescribing the antibiotics he based the need for it on the color of the mucus (tan) and the fact that I had low grade temp (99-100.3)
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1 Reactionwhat was the antibiotic and do you know what bacteria he suspected based on those 2 things!
I often wondered about people that take 1200 Mucinex a.m/p.m. I also have a lot of mucus at times. Now I know they say you’re supposed to drink plenty of water with it. I understand throughout the day is not a problem as we are awake, but how do you manage the evening after you go to sleep?
Hi Spider. I take Mucinex twice a day, but the 600 mg dose, and have experienced no negative side effects or wakefulness. If I have an exacerbation or even a bad cold, I can always bump it up to 1200 mg. Maybe ask your doctor if you could try it for a couple of weeks? Good luck.
To BE Patients using Mucinex/Guaifenesin.
Questions:
1. Do any of you who use Mucinex been diagnosed with Acid Reflux or Hiatal Hernia.?
2. What have your experiences been with taking Guaifenesin if you have Acid Reflux or Hiatal Hernia?
3. What do you think about the information below given and found???
The reason I asked: I started taking it and 'for me' I felt something was wrong so I stopped taking it.
I called the/a pharma company that makes Guaifenesin CVS Tussin DM to understand if there is something one should do with taking Guaifenesin with Acid Reflux/Hiatal Hernia. I had to leave a message and much to my surprise I received a call back from the consumer products department. The information given to me that with Acid Reflux you should be sure to take it with having had food. I also found this information on line when I googled: Can you take guaifenesin when you have Acid Reflux? "Methylxanthines increase gastric acidity and may also relax lower esophageal sphincter, which can lead to gastric reflux into the esophagus. Therapy with products containing methylxanthines should be administered cautiously in patients with significant gastroesophageal reflux."
@spider109 I manage the evening dose by taking mucinex 1200mg with my last glass of water after dinner, which is at least 3+ hours before bed. As suggested elsewhere, I also eat some carbs (pretzel, bread, crackers) with the glass of water to keep the water from sloshing around and sneaking up my esophagus. Sometimes there's some overlap of mucinex doses. In other words, my doses are not always separated by 12 hours. So far this has not been an issue for me. We often go for evening walks which I think helps digestion.
@blm1007blm1007 Guaifenesin/mucinex is primarily an expectorant, meaning it helps loosen and thin mucus in the airways, making it easier to cough up. From my reading, it does not have an effect on the lower esophageal sphincter.
I had to look up methylxanthine -- caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine. I know that theophylline is an old school treatment for asthma, maybe why we don't see it much anymore. Every morning I need a dose of coffee (caffeine) and every now and then doses of chocolate (theobromine) but I make sure to have early-ish in the day for the reasons you state.