1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

Does anyone else have mucus plugs?

Posted by Tina Sims @tinaesims, Aug 25, 2023

I went to my trusted pulmonologist last week after a CT scan. He said my left lung was full of mucus plugs. I've been coughing non-stop and always bring up yellow mucus. I'm exhausted. He did prescribe a CF (yes, I've been recently diagnosed) solution to nebulize once a day and continue my 7% saline once a day. Still coughing nonstop. The lab lost my sputum sample so I had to submit another one last week. I sat out in my car and spit in the cup. I'm sure I was a sight to see.

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scoop | @scoop | Aug 27, 2023
In reply to @kathyhg "I’ve just talked to my doctor about using mucinex long term vs short term recommended for..." + (show)
@kathyhg

I’ve just talked to my doctor about using mucinex long term vs short term recommended for its use. He is in agreement so I’ve started taking it twice a day, as per instructions for mucinex 12 hours. It seems to be effective at thinning mucous/secretions in my lungs and (as a bonus) sinuses when I’ve taken it short term. I’m hoping it helps me get rid of the thick mucous (plugs) that continue to show up on my chest CTs if I take it long term.

I haven’t found NAC at 600 mg twice a day to be very helpful but I’m wondering about taking mucinex and NAC together and/or using NAC alone at a higher dosage.

Have you found it more helpful to use NAC with mucinex?

Also, I have read that it is safe to take NAC at a higher level than 600 mg twice a day but wonder if anyone is doing that?

Article below:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7892733/
Thanks in advance,

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Mucinex and NAC together and LOTS of room temperature water (32 oz or slightly less) has been helpful. Not a miracle but I notice the first 2 rounds of clearance more productive than with NAC alone.

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tamcovie | @tamcovie | Aug 27, 2023
In reply to @scoop "For awhile I took Jarrow. They discontinued it and their recommendation was Life Extension. A Canadian..." + (show)
@scoop

For awhile I took Jarrow. They discontinued it and their recommendation was Life Extension. A Canadian brand has been mentioned here but I don't remember the name.
https://www.lifeextension.com/search#q=nac&t=coveo4A2453FD

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Thank you I saw Life Extension. I will try that

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spider109 | @spider109 | Aug 28, 2023

I really don’t know if I have mucus plugs or not, can they only be diagnosed in images? X-ray or CT? I do have Bronchiectasis & Pulmonary Fibrosis, and I do nebulize twice a day (am & pm) with albuterol followed by 7% saline. Every 4th or 5th day I seem to cough up globs of mucus after nebulizing. Are these plugs????

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2 replies
Tina Sims | @tinaesims | Aug 29, 2023
In reply to @spider109 "I really don’t know if I have mucus plugs or not, can they only be diagnosed..." + (show)
@spider109

I really don’t know if I have mucus plugs or not, can they only be diagnosed in images? X-ray or CT? I do have Bronchiectasis & Pulmonary Fibrosis, and I do nebulize twice a day (am & pm) with albuterol followed by 7% saline. Every 4th or 5th day I seem to cough up globs of mucus after nebulizing. Are these plugs????

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Mine showed up in a CT scan. I have been coughing like a mad woman and spitting up globs.

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dwood003 | @dwood003 | Sep 2, 2023

I was exposed to asbestos for 20 years in the Navy, 50 years after my retirement I had a lobectomy of the left upper lobe and have follow-up CT scans every 6 months. I developed Mucus plugging and an airway infection a few years after surgery and chemo which was ignored. About 6 months ago I started nebulizing albuterol and 7% saline twice a day. At first, I felt a rattling when inhaling, it ceased and I felt a rattling in my throat when exhaling, now I have neither. I never cough but I constantly produce sputum which I’ve come to realize my throat is producing it. Next week I see my pulmonologist and a CT scan at the cancer center. This is why I'm here, trying to prepare myself.

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marybethgoodspeed | @marybethgoodspeed | Sep 3, 2023

Yes. Nebulizing really helps. Airway clearance twice a day will help. They will reoccur if you don’t continue with airway clearance

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1 reply
dwood003 | @dwood003 | Sep 3, 2023
In reply to @marybethgoodspeed "Yes. Nebulizing really helps. Airway clearance twice a day will help. They will reoccur if you..." + (show)
@marybethgoodspeed

Yes. Nebulizing really helps. Airway clearance twice a day will help. They will reoccur if you don’t continue with airway clearance

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I have been nebulizing 2x a day for 6 months, 3 ml of albuterol + 4 ml of 7% saline. added together in the cup it takes about 25 min, The 1st month for a period I had to stop to clear my airway while inhaling which cleared up followed by a short period I had to stop to clear while exhaling. Now I breathe in and out nonstop with no indicator, As soon as I stop I clear phlegm from my throat 6 plus times an hour until I go to bed with APAP for sleep apnea.
It was a few days ago I realized from an internet search it was being generated from the irritation in my throat, not my lungs. I sometimes cough when eating.

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dwood003 | @dwood003 | Sep 3, 2023
In reply to @spider109 "I really don’t know if I have mucus plugs or not, can they only be diagnosed..." + (show)
@spider109

I really don’t know if I have mucus plugs or not, can they only be diagnosed in images? X-ray or CT? I do have Bronchiectasis & Pulmonary Fibrosis, and I do nebulize twice a day (am & pm) with albuterol followed by 7% saline. Every 4th or 5th day I seem to cough up globs of mucus after nebulizing. Are these plugs????

Jump to this post

I'm following a somewhat similar treatment as you with somewhat similar results.
I combine the 2 items in the cup, The nebulizing is uneventful but as soon as I stop I continuously clear mucus from my throat. The throat is irritated and generates mucus, not the lungs.
A high-definition CT is best for mucus plugs in the small airways.
A plug is a plug like a stopper it prevents air from getting to the end of the line where the air is exchanged

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