1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

Change in mucus production

Posted by positivethinking @positivethinking, Jul 10 12:28pm

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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blm1007blm1007 | @blm1007blm1007 | Jul 13 11:08am
In reply to @scoop "@spider109 I manage the evening dose by taking mucinex 1200mg with my last glass of water..." + (show)
@scoop

@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.

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Thank you for your reply and info.
Oh, makes sense. As Linda Esposito helped me realize that when taking in liquid, day or early evening, 3+ hours before bed, have something that will absorb the liquid...so the same when taking Mucinex/Guaifenesin.
I need to start the evening walks, thanks.
Question: Had you been told you have Acid Reflux or Hiatal Hernia????

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1 reply
scoop | @scoop | Jul 13 11:38am
In reply to @blm1007blm1007 "Thank you for your reply and info. Oh, makes sense. As Linda Esposito helped me realize..." + (show)
@blm1007blm1007

Thank you for your reply and info.
Oh, makes sense. As Linda Esposito helped me realize that when taking in liquid, day or early evening, 3+ hours before bed, have something that will absorb the liquid...so the same when taking Mucinex/Guaifenesin.
I need to start the evening walks, thanks.
Question: Had you been told you have Acid Reflux or Hiatal Hernia????

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Acid reflux yes, no hiatal hernia.

REPLY
blm1007blm1007 | @blm1007blm1007 | Jul 13 2:22pm

It appears many of us with BE have problems that cause us to follow the acid reflux guidelines for food and sleeping, It also appears that many of us don't just have BE as the only diagnosed health problem. I have come to believe, my personal thought, the cause of a problem or a happening is never caused by just one thing and I think that is so with we who have BE. Thanks for your time and answers.

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Toni D. | @tcd518 | Jul 14 7:59am
In reply to @blm1007blm1007 "To BE Patients using Mucinex/Guaifenesin. Questions: 1. Do any of you who use Mucinex been diagnosed..." + (show)
@blm1007blm1007

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."

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Hi. The "DM" in the medicine you called about is dextromethorphan, which is a cough suppressant. Just plain guaifenesin is an expectorant which helps to loosen mucus and theoretically result in a productive cough. Perhaps you could take it at mealtime and see if that is more comfortable?

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1 reply
blm1007blm1007 | @blm1007blm1007 | Jul 14 10:52am
In reply to @tcd518 "Hi. The "DM" in the medicine you called about is dextromethorphan, which is a cough suppressant...." + (show)
@tcd518

Hi. The "DM" in the medicine you called about is dextromethorphan, which is a cough suppressant. Just plain guaifenesin is an expectorant which helps to loosen mucus and theoretically result in a productive cough. Perhaps you could take it at mealtime and see if that is more comfortable?

Jump to this post

Oh right. I know to avoid the DM....I have Guaifenesin without DM. THANKS.

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