Mucinex does it help you?

@irenea8 Ugh, here comes that answer again...It depends!

My mucus is sticky and thick by nature, no matter how much water I drink. Before Bronchiectasis, many years before, I lived with chronic ear and sinus infections and my ENT had me take sustained release guaifenesin twice a day. It vastly reduced the frequency of the infections. I had daughters with the same ear/sinus issues, but relatively clear thin mucus. The medication didn't seem to make any difference for them.

Early on in my MAC treatment, the pulmonologist was skeptical about my long term Mucinex use, so I tried stopping, and within days I was having ear pressure and sinuses feeling blocked with thick mucus. It was harder for me to do airway clearance too. Even now, if I skip a day or two, I need extra saline nebs to clear my lungs.

So, I think the answer is that you need to try it, and NAC, to see if it makes any difference for you.

Does anyone else care to share their experience?
Sue

very helpful Sue thank you. Your mucus sounds like mine! I will give it a try. NAC does help some but gave me insomnia. Will have to try that again. Any clue why your pulmo was skeptical about using it??

My pulmonologist was an old doc with an attitude. I finally realized that when he fired me as a patient when I asked him to consult with an ID doc in the same clinic. Current pulmonologist was skeptical about 7% saline recommended by id doc until she saw the results. Who knew that Connect members would become educators?
Sue

Lucky for you to get fired! My Pulmo is in the Pulmonary Specialty Department at U of IA Hospitals and Clinics. Not as good as Mayo or NJH but they do specialize in things like difficult pulmonary infections, Bronchiectasis, Cystic Fibrosis. Even so, I have seen there is a lot they still do not know about NCFB. Many of the recommendations have been things that would work for Cystic Fibrosis but not necessarily for someone like me. But at least they are aware of the great need for airway clearance techniques including 7% saline. My Pulmo said he does not have any other patients that have the chronic form of Pseudomonas and yet do not have Cystic Fibrosis. I hope my feedback and experience will help with any future people with NCFB as it is becoming more and more common.

What is NCFB? I have real sticky mucus at times, and do use 7% saline. Other times just the normal sodium chloride seems to work well.

Sorry! NCFB is Non Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis.

Okay thank-you so much, I have an appointment with Mayo in Jacksonville in February. I’m going to bring this up to my Pulmonologist

A few weeks ago my doctor put me on Mucinex and I am finding it really helps to get the mucus out. Does anyone know if you can stay on it long term?

Good evening - I know the label cautions against long-term use, but when it was a prescription drug, many years ago, my ENT told me he has had patients use it for years without apparent issues. My current pulmonologist, primary and ENT all know I am taking it, and none has ever objected or suggested stopping.
The following statements are about pure guaifenesin - with no added decongestants, pain relievers or cough suppressants. There are no known effects on blood pressure, heart rate or blood sugar. There are no known medication interactions. According to my ophthalmologist, it is safe to use if you have glaucoma. I have taken it almost daily for over 35 years, without it my mucus is very sticky.

So, as always, each person is different, but if it is helpful for you and your doctor agrees, it is safe for long term use.
Have you asked the doctor yet about continuing to use it?
Sue

Sue, can I ask how much you take (dose) and how often. I tried both the 1200 ER, and 600ER, and they both really bothered my stomach with both cramps, & diarrhea. So went to Guaifenison liquid.