1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

Mucinex does it help you?

Posted by irenea8 @irenea8, Nov 26, 2022

I was just wondering if many people have tried or found Mucinex helps to get mucus out? I am referring to the original one without anything added. I tried a capsule of guaifenesin once and it seemed to have the opposite effect for me of making the mucus harder to expel. Perhaps I did not drink enough water but just wondered if others have found it helpful or not. Or any side effects etc. My pulmo did not comment one way or the other on it's use when i asked so I assume he did not think it important to use.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the MAC & Bronchiectasis Support Group.

Arlo | @equanimous | Apr 18, 2023
In reply to @sueinmn "@irenea8 Ugh, here comes that answer again...It depends! My mucus is sticky and thick by nature,..." + (show)
@sueinmn

@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

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I was told Mucinex is for temporary use. Is this not true?

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1 reply
healthybon | @healthybon | Apr 18, 2023
In reply to @irenea8 "Is it possible to see a specialist for the anxiety? Or an endocrinologist to see if..." + (show)
@irenea8

Is it possible to see a specialist for the anxiety? Or an endocrinologist to see if it might be caused by thyroid or adrenals or hormones etc? Perhaps there is more going on than the recent diagnosis and all the uncertainty that can come with it? Just a thought. The fact that you are bringing up mostly clear mucus is a good thing. It may be more from anxiety that you feel sick. But of course getting some guidance from NJH should help too. Who knows you may test negative next time and will be told to wait and see. The saline nebulizing could help with that but no need to strain to bring up the mucus. Be sure to drink enough water!

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Hi Irene… You are such a wonderful person… And I so appreciate all your suggestions and comments more than you’ll ever know. I started taking Lexapro yesterday… And I took it a long time ago when I was much much younger and I figured that’s the one that agrees with me and I think it’s going to help me take the edge off the anxiety… And I have just been totally checked out by an endocrinologist and got an A+ no problems and I appreciate your bringing that up… For the most part for 72 years old I get pretty good reports from my different doctors which there are many Lol. The people on the Support site have saved me… I’ve learned everything I know from everyone here and they continue to help me every day. I’m so grateful for that and to them. I imagine I will be hearing from NATIONAL JEWISH within the next two weeks regarding an appointment but I don’t know when the appointment will be. Everyone is telling me how wonderful they are so I have something to look forward to and I will get more information which I’m sure will help with my anxiety. Thank you so much for taking the time to say what you’ve said to me today Love Bon

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healthybon | @healthybon | Apr 18, 2023

I take two of them a day and I think it definitely thins out the mucus to a degree. Just the guafensin one they are time release

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Arlo | @equanimous | Apr 18, 2023
In reply to @sueinmn "My pulmonologist was an old doc with an attitude. I finally realized that when he fired..." + (show)
@sueinmn

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

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Sue, I have written before about my pulmonologist being resistant to the 7% saline. Do you think I should book in with my infectious disease dr? Or, do you have any info that might show documented benefits of 7%?

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1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Apr 18, 2023
In reply to @equanimous "I was told Mucinex is for temporary use. Is this not true?" + (show)
@equanimous

I was told Mucinex is for temporary use. Is this not true?

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Yes, No, Maybe.
"Mucinex" comes in many forms. Several have added decongestants or cough suppressants. These are definitely for temporary use only. 7 days unless a longer term is recommended by your provider.

The "original" Mucinex, only guaifenesin in a long acting formulation, has been used for MANY years. I first encountered the generic long-acting formulation as a prescription 40 years ago to treat persistent ear fluid. When it became non-prescription, Mucinex patented the long-acting version and cornered the market. Now apparently the patent is expired, and there are a few generic extended release formulas of pure guaifenesin around. But the "specialty' versions are still under patent.

Guaifenesin is largely considered safe for extended use, with minimal side effects. I have been looking for any studies demonstrating this, and there don't seem to be any, but here is one that surprised me. It is a case study (one patient) but demonstrates my experience and my husband's (he has GERD & mild bronchiectasis caused by RA) https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2018.197.1_MeetingAbstracts.A2169
In our home, we have fewer exacerbations, looser, more productive coughs & less congestion with guaifenesin. (We are on our second extended-release generic brand, and have found both equivalent to Mucinex.)

If Mucinex works for you, discuss long-term use with your providers. Don't be surprised if they roll their eyes - if they agree it's safe, use it!

Sue

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Apr 18, 2023
In reply to @equanimous "Sue, I have written before about my pulmonologist being resistant to the 7% saline. Do you..." + (show)
@equanimous

Sue, I have written before about my pulmonologist being resistant to the 7% saline. Do you think I should book in with my infectious disease dr? Or, do you have any info that might show documented benefits of 7%?

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Take a look at this article - you might want to print and share with him.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6688147/
A consult with your ID doc might be in order or a discussion with the pulmo about their objection.
Also, at this point in time, I think if a pulmonologist is still not on board with the benefits of 7% saline, they may not be really experienced in treating MAC, because it is now a solid recommendation by centers of excellence like National Jewish Health (NJH) and Mayo Clinics.
Sue

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1 reply
Arlo | @equanimous | Apr 18, 2023
In reply to @sueinmn "Take a look at this article - you might want to print and share with him...." + (show)
@sueinmn

Take a look at this article - you might want to print and share with him.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6688147/
A consult with your ID doc might be in order or a discussion with the pulmo about their objection.
Also, at this point in time, I think if a pulmonologist is still not on board with the benefits of 7% saline, they may not be really experienced in treating MAC, because it is now a solid recommendation by centers of excellence like National Jewish Health (NJH) and Mayo Clinics.
Sue

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Thank you so very much, Sue. I truly appreciate your feedback.

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Matthew JG | @mjgreenleaf | May 31, 2023
In reply to @ina "A few weeks ago my doctor put me on Mucinex and I am finding it really..." + (show)
@ina

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?

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I take 2400 mg (extended release) twice daily
I have to double-up on my dosage for it to work

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healthybon | @healthybon | Jul 10, 2023

Irene, I take one twelve hour Plain Mucinex (which is JUST guafsenisen),....... NOT "Mucinex D"....I notice a big difference when I nebulize..the mucus is thinner. I guess each person is different, but for me it really works. I drink a full glass of water with it and as with all meds, have some food in my stomach.. Bon

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blm1007blm1007 | @blm1007blm1007 | Mar 20 11:46am

Curist Brand Guaifenesin. Has anyone looked into the Curist Brand in terms reports or where it is made etc. Does anyone use this Brand? I am trying to find out about the Curist Brand and in partciular the Guaifenesin. It supposedly has no dyes in it.

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