Re: guaifinesin therapy

[Guest guest]

It seems there is some confusion over what Guaifenesin is. So ... I

thought I should dig up my old email from Kim Paynes on the subject. I

consider Kim to be our resident expert on the list regarding medical

alternatives. Anyway, it is found in Robitussin but I use generics. The

other expectorant that I know of is pseudoephedrine which the American

Academy of Pediatrics have advised against using. The effects of the

decongestant pseudoephedrine are uncertain in children under 5. Although

it is effective in children over 5, research is inconclusive for younger

children. I believe that this was the product/ingredient that they were

talking about a year or so ago and talking about putting warning labels

on. I can't remember why but I just stay away from it.

--------- Forwarded message ----------

From: kpaynecows@...

To: cfparents

Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2001 07:45:50 EST

Subject: Re: guaifinesin therapy

Message-ID:

Rosemary,

Guaifenesin is just plain old, over-the-counter Robitussin. Not

Robitussin

CF, DM, or any other initials after it that may have decongestants,

antihistamines, or cough suppressants in it -- just plain Robitussin.

Guaifenesin is a mucolytic -- it thins mucus in the body.

Guaifenesin is often prescribed by ENT's to thin sinus secretions. My ENT

has

me on 1,000 mg. per day (prescription strength, called Allfen) because my

sinuses and deep within my ears, everything becomes like cement after

flying

and I usually end up with bulging ear drums and whopping ear and sinus

infections. Guam helps me a lot.

Many, many years ago when I'd feel a massive sinus headache coming on, I

could take 2 tsp. of Robitussin, 2 Tylenol and a cup of coffee and go to

bed

and be cured in 20 minutes. Those days are gone. As I've aged my

sinuses

have gotten more easily provoked but the RX strength guaif (I used

Allfen)

helps, I can tell when I need it. I also have RX strength guaifenesin

combined with pseudophrine (a decongestant, commonly known as " Sudafed, "

and

in really bad episodes, the ENT has me take 1,000 mg guaif in the am and

300

mg guaif with 30 mg. pseudophrine in the pm.

Some women with CF have used guaifenesin to thin cervical mucus to help

fertility.

And I've long hypothesized that using guaifenesin could help pwcf keep

the

pancreas ducts unplugged, as well as gall bladder, liver, lungs, sinuses,

etc. I haven't a clue why doctors don't readily prescribe this for pwcf.

I

used to use it often in my son whenever he'd get a sinus infection,

especially when he had sinus polyps.

But the trick though is that you MUST drink lots of water in order for

the

med to work.

Also, if you take high doses of guaifenesin, it's possible to get a

false-high reading of uric acid in blood tests. This happened to me once

and

the doctor didn't know why I showed high levels; we knew I didn't have

gout!

So I did some sleuthing and found the answer on some lab test web site --

so

now the doctor and I are both informed.

Kim

In a message dated 11/26/01 6:21:30 AM Central Standard Time,

ROSEMARY3FOR3wCF@... writes:

<<

<< Guaifenesin is a nice, inexpensive, easily obtained med that always

worked

well for my son -- and has the added benefit of clearing mucus from all

mucus-affected organs, not just the lungs. >>

Please tell me more about this...where do you get it and in what form

does

it

come.......

Rosemary in New York with three children with CF - they are 11, 9,

5.......

I coined the phrase " BREATHE DAMMIT "

>>

PLEASE do not post religious emails to the list.

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