As a 4 year producer of the thick crap I would be interested in anything that would work so keep us all posted. Like you I need to know the whys of everything and I haven't found anyone yet that has been able to explain this much less cured it. I have tried various cold remedies but all they seem to do is dry me up while not decreasing the production. I produce it all day long (not much at night) and it seems that every 30 mins or so I have accumulated the size of a small pea and spit it out. I drink water constantly all day long and that doesn't help this problem. I do seem to produce more at meal time but I usually drink milk, always have, with each meal so I don't know if that helps my production as some have said.

Clueless in Gulfport!

Klo

Mucinex's active ingredient is Guaifenesin and some OCF posters have found relief from it. I second David's request to keep us posted if you have any success. Throughout this 3 year struggle, the only constant has been phlegm. Conceptually, thinning out the phlegm makes sense as a coping mechanism.
Early on I had to use seltzer water to break it up, but my surgery which left me unable to swallow, also eliminated dry mouth entirely since even the non perceptible trickle of saliva pools up quickly. This seems to keep the phlegm moist enough to cough up much more easily with just a gargle of plain water.
However, I'd gladly trade this ease for the former difficulty and choking if I could swallow again.
Finally a Google search turned up an Australian Cough medicine called: Duro-Tuss Chesty Cough Liquid Forte which is a mixture of both Bromhexine, Guaifenesin
charm

Thanks Guys

I will get my guinea pig - er my Alex to a try cough medicine that will make his mucous/phlegm runnier rather than the suppressant or decongestant kind which would do the opposite(I am hoping these are the cold remedies David already tested). Interesting that fizzy water clears "phlegm" better than still - Alex has experienced this too - I would guess that the carbonation is involved in breaking it up to make it flow easier. Also interesting that David experiences an increase in fluid before food as this suggests at least part of the problem is actually "dysfunctional" saliva (remember Pavlov's dogs).

Alex has also made the observation that milk adds to the problem but it is short term (but think this is more of a feeling than an actuality) and as weight and nutrition is a large part of Alex's daily penance, milk remains on the menu. Poor maligned milk. I was told that milk lines the stomach which will slow the effects of alcohol as well as protects against ulcers. Luckily, as a cheap drunk with a sore tummy, I have stong bones which comes in handy when I fall over

but I digress ... Here's the idea I have been thinking about all day (no medical knowledge in this at all). What if we are dealing with 2 differing fluid production processes (or goo as Uptown so eloquently describes it)? Mucous from nose and throat continues unabated but possibly thicker than before. Saliva produced at the front of the mouth around the teeth, tongue and cheeks is nearly non existant. Either mucous is now thick and difficult to shift or saliva no longer mixes with mucous to make it manageable but in either case, it just sits there requiring a conscious spit or swallow rather than trickling unnoticed down the back of the throat. An added complication would also be the impaired swallow that many experience. This would produce the sensation that there is more than normal production of "goo" or "crap" wouldn't it? So the idea of thinning out the mucous would seem to be the goal regardless of the cause?

Would appreciate others thoughts on this (more descriptions would be good as well as tried and tested suggestions) but in the meantime, I am off to research available mucolytics (thanks for the Durotuss tip Charm) and find out what the mechanism of Guaifenisin is.

My unsuspecting guinea pig awaits ...

Thanks again everyone.

Karen

Hi Guys:

I have the gunk/crap ALL the time too, but mine has the most putrid sweet sickening taste (all the time). I have yet to find someone else that has that problem???? Anyone? I do have the sticky saliva sometimes too, and my cheeks on the inside are always sore, so some of the Magic mouthwashes do help (a little). My last treatments were almost 3 years ago

julieann

Geez, I must be getting goofy. I went back on others who wrote on this subject, and lo and behold, I was one of them. Sorry, forgot I already replied.
julieann

Karen,

I have thought about everything you just said BUT can find no doctor who can address these questions with me scientifically to give any of these thoughts credibility much less say "Oh hear's how to stop that!"

Go Guinea Pig Go!!!

mine started in the 2nd week of radiation,mostly occurs once but sometimes twice a day and less often any more than that (worst was having 5 before lunchtime) generally i can bring it up ok but 2 or 3 times a week have an eye watering time of it . i mentioned this to my oncology dr last visit and he sent me for precautionary chest xrays then at outpatient 3 month check with surgery dr he said the xrays came back all normal . i've gotten used to them and apart from the stubborn ones creating a gagging sensation they dont worry me to much.

So what my sister is on is actually the sea sickness patch. Believe it or not. She puts the small patch behind her ear and within a few minutes the mucous is gone. You need a prescription for it though and l don't know what dr's actually use this for mucous. The drug that is in the patch is called SCOPOLAMINE.
Keep me posted please on who else uses this. I think it is rather interesting.

hi susan, i had those when i was in hospital recovering from surgery to ease my excess saliva issue and they had some effect for that. unfortunately they werent subsidised and were about $18nz each so didnt go on with them after i was discharged.

Thanks Rosalind. That's good to know. I wonder if my sisters insurance will cover it. They have really helped her.