robitussin DM / store brand tussin dm

Dragons7-7-2010
Dragons7-7-2010 Member Posts: 79
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Has anyone tried using Robitusin DM to thin mucus? Wondered if it works.

I have not posted in awhile and had had my ups and downs. It's been a tough journey.
But we all know that here. I have been trying to stay positive as that is half the battle.
A big positive..I am in final week of radiation and final chemo today.
YEAH!

But I know I have a journey yet ahead of me.
So far I've not had to have a PEG and eating has been tough work but thank GOD for BOOST Plus, soup, soft smooth food without texture and things I can puree in my Magic Bullett.
And thank goodness for people I've met in my support network and all the positive input from survivors on CSN.

Comments

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    Congrats
    Congrats on the long and winding (down) road....

    Not sure on the Robitusin DM, guess it depends on if it's lung produced phlegm or from the kind that we have been producing.

    I guess with your MD's favorable input it would be worth investigating.

    Best,
    John
  • ekdennie
    ekdennie Member Posts: 238 Member
    my dr suggested mucinex
    my dr suggested mucinex to help thin mucus. not the DM variety, but the regular type. tricky pill to swallow, but it had worked before treatment. I have not tried it yet.
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    ekdennie said:

    my dr suggested mucinex
    my dr suggested mucinex to help thin mucus. not the DM variety, but the regular type. tricky pill to swallow, but it had worked before treatment. I have not tried it yet.

    They have mucinex in a
    They have mucinex in a liquid. I tried it because of my excessive mucous, but it dried my mouth out so bad I just bled more. Was too drying for me.
  • ekdennie
    ekdennie Member Posts: 238 Member

    They have mucinex in a
    They have mucinex in a liquid. I tried it because of my excessive mucous, but it dried my mouth out so bad I just bled more. Was too drying for me.

    yep
    I am trying some mucinex today. It is removing the mucus from my nose, but it is very drying...a lot of bleeding if I blow too hard. I will probably not be trying it again! I think I would rather have the bloody nose than the sinus headache...I am using some saline nose gel, that seems to help some with the dryness though...we will see. I'll try to remember to post more info later...sleepy now!
  • Hal61
    Hal61 Member Posts: 655
    Mucas away
    Hi Dragons, good to hear from you! Last treatments, and you're standing up on third base. Still some slogging to get to home base, but keep your head up, a lot of the ground is behind you.

    Except for the on-and-off gagging when trying to sleep, and the constant need to clear your throat, and a few other mucus related problems, I found it to be amazing stuff. I spent more than one hazy night standing over my stainless steel sink wondering at the sheer will and resiliance of the mucus. I've not heard of Robitusin to thin mucus, most remedies rx, and homestyle, are expectorants of one type or another, but thinning it sounds like an excellent alternate plan and I hope it brings you some relief. The good news is the mucus does pass, for everyone I know of at any rate. I always thought that if I could just refine it and use it to lubricate my car engine, I'd never have to change oil again.

    best to you, Hal
  • DrMary
    DrMary Member Posts: 531 Member
    Hal61 said:

    Mucas away
    Hi Dragons, good to hear from you! Last treatments, and you're standing up on third base. Still some slogging to get to home base, but keep your head up, a lot of the ground is behind you.

    Except for the on-and-off gagging when trying to sleep, and the constant need to clear your throat, and a few other mucus related problems, I found it to be amazing stuff. I spent more than one hazy night standing over my stainless steel sink wondering at the sheer will and resiliance of the mucus. I've not heard of Robitusin to thin mucus, most remedies rx, and homestyle, are expectorants of one type or another, but thinning it sounds like an excellent alternate plan and I hope it brings you some relief. The good news is the mucus does pass, for everyone I know of at any rate. I always thought that if I could just refine it and use it to lubricate my car engine, I'd never have to change oil again.

    best to you, Hal

    Expectorants vs Supressants
    "Robitussin" can mean a lot of formulations - if you want to thin mucus, you are looking for guaifenesin (an expectorant), if you want to stop coughing, you want dextromethorphan (a supressant). Read the labels and you'll see that most OTC cough syrups have either one of these or a combination of both. You can save money by buying generics (like CVS or Rite-Aid brands) and it is always better to buy them singly and mix as needed. Avoid the all-in-one syrups, like Nyquil, as they include antihistimines, decongestants and pain relievers.

    Consider using a humidifier in your room at night - it doesn't help with the gagging, but does help thin the mucus enough so that you can spit it out, rather than have it form that impervious barrier at the back of your mouth. You can also try various mouthwashes and gargles before bed. I suspect none of these methods really work, but trying a different one each day helps you pass the time until the mucus recedes, which it will.
  • Army_Guy
    Army_Guy Member Posts: 53
    Robitussin DM
    Hi Dragons...

    During my last couple of weeks of treatment (and the first 3 weeks of recovery) I produced a lot of mucous. I used Robitussin DM and cut it with water before swallowing because it otherwise burned my throat. It worked great reducing mucous and acted as a great expectorant. If your throat isn't sore you may not have to mix with water, but again it worked well for me.