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Has anyone tried H2 Antigonists to reduce mucus?
Bronchiectastis, Asthma, and now it seems ILD fibrotic disease (in the process of being diagnosed via an auto immune system yet to be identified). A lot of SOB,
Some 18 months ago a specialist suggested I use an H2 Antigonist to see if it reduced sputum - was producing 3 cups a day and apparently too much for my mild Bronchiectestasis. I rejected the idea at the time because of the risks...just wondering if anyone has any experience of this?
My mucus production has reduced little but seems to be thicker and more creamy than white and light, as it used to be. Not sure if this is to do with the presumed ILD. Any thoughts please.
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@narelled23 For those of you wondering "What is an H2 Antagonist?" here's a description:
H2 antagonists are used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastrointestinal ulcers and other gastrointestinal hypersecretory conditions. Common examples include Pepcid (famotidine), Tagamet (cimetidine), nizatidine and rinatidine.
They, along with Proton Pump Inhibitiors (PPI) are the most common ways to treat GERD, which can often worsen Bronchiectasis symptoms.
What risks do you associate with H2 Antagonists, and are they really worse than producing 3 cups a day of mucus?
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2 Reactions@sueinmn
Sue when I looked it up 18 months ago I think it was linked to cancer.
I also stopped the PPIs after years because of all the case suits against them for side effects...from dementia to Heaven knows what.
However as I lose the energy to remove the 3 cups of sputum and if there was a chance of them addressing the mucus build up I would try it. It was suggested to try it for a month to see if it affected the volume of sputum.
I will put it on the growing list to ask the specialist on 11 March. I now suspect I would certainly try it.
Thank you again Sue for your wise input.
Narelle
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1 ReactionI’ve been using Pepcid for about a month because I had a couple of obvious episodes of reflux. I don’t get up much mucus and can’t address if it helped that, but believe the side effect risks is less than risks from reflux for me. I’ve added other reflux precautions. Reflux isn’t a constant issue for me and I tolerate Pepcid.
One thing I look at when checking out a drug’s side effects is percentage of patients who reported them. If 1-5% reported the side effect, 95-99 did not and my odds are good. I also keep in mind that manufacturers often list all issues patients report even when it may not be drug related. If I still have questions, I discuss benefits vs risks with the doc. In years past, we decided once that watchful waiting for an odd organism was appropriate rather immediate antibiotics. Longer ago, doc advised (kindly) that I should risk tendon issues that were well known because treating the respiratory infection with best antibiotic was more important than running. I mention these because looking at the lists of side effects can sometimes be overwhelming and I believe it’s worth discussing risk/ benefit with trusted doc.
Hugs to you-
that amount of mucus sounds overwhelming.
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4 ReactionsWhen my (new to me) very proactive primary care doctor started investigating my increasing chronic cough, we went through a sequence of trialing pepcid and various inhalers to see if any of the options improved the cough. I had already been diagnosed with mild silent gerd by upper endoscopy (an incidental finding). In my case the pepcid did nothing, but it was worth trying it. Gerd is nothing to mess around with and if it's causing chronic cough it is DEFINITELY nothing to mess around with.
I already had been diagnosed with bronchiectasis which had been stable and untreated for many years, but the increasing cough ended me up with the Bronchiectasis/NTM (non-tubercular mycobacteria ie MAC, MAI and other types) specialty practice center at NYU. Which has been so important! That's when I started serious attention and treatment (and found this wonderful group).
Best of luck to you! That is a massive amount of sputum, I hope you find a solution.
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2 Reactions@pacathy
Thank you for your comments, I will either ask my GP to prescribe it or the specialist in a couple of weeks when I see him.
Also planning to get an undermatress full length wedge...shorter ones don't work for me. 🙏
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1 Reaction@lvnl
Thank you so much for your comment. I will address this more proactively. I have tried wedges but not comfortable, and was reluctant to change my bed as I love it. I will try a full wedge...if that doesn't help perhaps look at an adjustable bed.
Trouble is I am often unaware of the reflux...although gastritis has been diagnosed and years ago I was told I was in line for Barrets Oesophagus, put on PPIs but went off them after some years due to potential side effects. 🙏
@lvnl
May I ask how you are treating your GERD?
@pacathy May I ask which reflux precautions you use?
Reflux precautions I use…-
Sleeping on left side.
No food 3 hours before bed. No water is also recommended, but I’m on high dose antihistamines and sip.
Sleep with head elevated McShane said with wedge or blocks and pills aren’t enough., but I found I can’t sleep on the wedge and use pillows for now. I bought blocks, but haven’t had help to get them placed yet.
Reduce/cut out caffeine. I avoid afternoon or evening, but less caffeine would be better.
Avoid bending. I try to remember to use knees to squat.
Avoid spicy food. I’m not so great at that. I do try to eat those earlier and reduce amt.
I heard McShane talk about it in video, but looked in our resource thread and on YouTube and couldn’t locate it. I’m not sure if it was a paid conference or imbedded in a different topic. Others might have a link.
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2 Reactions@lvnl Hello there. Just reading about Gerd meds. My hubby has Bronchiectasis , Obstructive sleep apnea and Gerd. Gerd came first years later OSA then few minths ago Bronchiectasis. He started a new type of Gerd med Voquenza. it acts differently to relieve silent gerd. Seems to help. Sometimes changing Gerd meds help. Ask Dr about it WG.
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3 Reactions