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Mucinex question

Posted by Laurie on 10/15/2009, 10:45 am
75.3.203.168

I don't cough, but feel constant congestion.
This isn't in my chest, but rather in my throat and it feels like I have an annoying "gurgle" there most of the time.
Would Mucinex help in any way or are there any other suggestions out there?

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Re: Mucinex question

Posted by linda md on 10/15/2009, 2:40 pm, in reply to "Mucinex question"
98.140.246.15

Laurie, I have a similar problem with a lot of mucus that originated in my sinuses. My doctor put me on Atrovent nasal spray, which has dried up most of the secretions and makes things a lot more tolerable. I still have that feeling in my throat like you describe, which is quite annoying. I take 600 mg. Mucinex twice a day and drink the liquid guaifenesin (generic) when it gets to feel like I can't clear it. It still could be gerd as the others have mentioned. I take medication for that, so I know that is not my problem now.

Sam's Club has the best price I have seen for the 600 mg Mucinex ($23. for 65 tablets). Be careful not to get the 1200 mg tablets. They are like horse pills and I cannot even imagine trying to swallow something that big. Let us know how you are doing.
Linda

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Re: Mucinex question

Posted by CarolCa on 10/15/2009, 6:35 pm, in reply to "Re: Mucinex question"
98.248.53.53

Linda, the fact that you take medication for you GERD doesn't mean it has corrected the situation. I take 4 times the medication most people take and I still have a problem. 50% of the people don't feel heartburn that have GERD but they have the lump in throat, sometimes a cough and lots of mucous which can even affect the sinuses.

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CarolCA

Posted by linda md on 10/15/2009, 9:50 pm, in reply to "Re: Mucinex question"
98.140.246.15

You know, Carol, you make a good point. I was on Nexium, which took care of all my GERD/stomach issues for a number of years. When I had the stent put in the right coronary artery on 9/10/09, they stopped the Nexium as they said there are studies that it interferes with the Plavix I need to take for the medicated stent. They put me on Protonix and Ranitidine twice a day. It was shortly after that I began noticing the feeling in my throat. I did get a cold and had all that mucus, but I wonder if that feeling in my throat could be from the GERD. I do notice it more now after I eat, so I have been curtailing that to avoid the gurgling feeling.

I am seeing my cardiologist next week and I am going to address this issue with him. Thanks so much for mentioning this as there has been so much going on with the stent and now getting studies done to get on the transplant list, that sometimes you can't see what is right in front of you. Thanks again.
Linda

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linda

Posted by CarolCA on 10/15/2009, 10:15 pm, in reply to "CarolCA"
98.248.53.53

Interesting that they preferred Protonix over the Nexium. Most doctors would say they are the same. I have extreme problems with acid, though no heartburn. I have read continuously for years on this subject and have been shocked at just what reflux can cause. I was doing all this sinus flushing thinking it was coming from sinus drainage and now find it is all GERD related. The gurgling is very likely acid related. Unfortunately I don't have a cure and neither do the doctors except the meds and they don't work well for me at double and triple the dosage. Good luck with your appointment. I have started using Gaviscon about 45 minutes after I eat and it seems to be working pretty well as it blocks the valve with a foam barrier. The other night I was coughing hard for hours and desperately looking for something to help as I couldn't stop. Found some old Gaviscon I had hanging around and it stopped the cough almost immediately so that is what I am trying now and no more clearing throat and lump in throat feeling at the moment.

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Re: Mucinex question

Posted by CarolCA on 10/15/2009, 1:45 pm, in reply to "Mucinex question"
98.248.53.53

Sounds more like mucous caused by acid reflux. You don't need heartburn to prove you have acid. I would try some Pepcid, Zantac and see if it helps. Mucinex might still help thin it out a bit but it sounds like an acid problem.

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Re: Mucinex question

Posted by John O. on 10/15/2009, 11:44 am, in reply to "Mucinex question"
69.129.197.8

Yes, if you feel as though the secretions are originating in your lungs, 2 400mg Mucinex daily might well help. And/or 2 600mg caps of n-acetylcysteine (NAC). Keep well hydrated as well--2 quarts of water a day if you can do it.

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