Hi Sabrinabar06,
This is my first post here but I'm a grandmother and I've had COPD for a few years, so I have a little knowledge of Mucinex. It's 600 mg (milligrams) of guaifenesin in a time-release tablet. With that information, I think you'll be able to find an equivalent pill in Canada.

There are many techniques, devices, and meds available, but the most important thing is to learn how to cough - to maximize the benefits of any device or meds if nothing else.

Now I fully expect you to break out laughing at this point (I certainly did when I was first told that)- if there is anything anyone with COPD can do well and frequently it is to cough. But unfortunately like so much of this dang disease there is a lot to re-learn.

You've learned out to breathe more effectively, now you need how to cough more effectively using the tools at hand.

You will find many sites. Try this one first...
http://copd.about.com/od/livingwithcopd/fl/Coughing-One-of-the-Most-Effective-Means-of-Airway-Clearance.htm

Simple, straight-forward, nothing too high tech, nor medically detailed.

Meanwhile start drinking lots of water - don't sip - drink glasses.

Look for guafenesin , that is the name of mucinex. Here it comes in pill, capsule, and liquid form. And also most cough syrups that say they have an expectorant, would have guafenesin. Drinking water helps thin it out also.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/263495-the-best-medications-for-mucus-in-the-chest/

Let us know
BJ

The breathing exercises that Gnott posted work very well. After surgery in May my lungs were in pretty bad shape because of the anesthesia. To clear the lungs of mucus the nurse gave me an " Acapella Flutter valve and that works very well too. They are not cheap -about 60.00 but I can only recommend them.
http://justnebulizers.com/acapella-flutter-valve.html

Get a small balloon and make a blade cut in the front part about an inch depending....blow it up and it will flutter.....lol

We also have no mucinex so use a local tablet that softens the mucous. It does work ok I think...BISOLVAN...and a sinus rinse is what I use...

Peter

Add a teaspoon of turmeric to half a glass of milk turmeric contains antiseptic properties that fights infection.
Horse radish(you get them in jars) and hot chilli to loosen up mucus.

r

Thanks for all the feedback!
I'll do my homework now!

I first heard about NAC (N-acetylcysteine) for thinning mucus at the COPD International online support forum. I asked my pulmonologist about it and he gave the okay for me to use it. You can buy it here in the US in tablet form over the counter. (Mark Mangus, a respiratory therapist who answers questions online at COPD Canada) also recommends NAC for thinning mucus. Therefore, I assume NAC is available in Canada.)

The recommended dose is 600 mg NAC with 1000 mg Vitamin C twice a day. Because NAC can cause kidney stones, it is important to take Vitamin C to counteract that.

I have been using NAC for at least three years. I no longer have a mucus problem. NAC is an antioxidant.

There have been reports that NAC speeds up the growth of cancer, but the verdict is still out.

I suggest you ask your doctor about oral NAC. (The liquid form is by prescription and is typically prescribed to cystic fibrosis patients.)

Susan

You ,may be able to order musinex online from amazon . They do have it and it is not a prescription drug .

i like the guafenesin (robitussin or generic) in liquid form so i can regulate how much i take & it seems to work faster.
also drinking enough water i try to do as i am a coffee/caffeine aholic which of course is a diuretic that doesn't help a bit.
i've heard of the tumeric, but have never tried it.
also i always run the humidifier bottle on my 02 concentrator as it helps & i try to keep the humidity in my house around 40% which is comfortable to me there are cheap humidifier/temperature gauges to keep track. i think mine was around 5.00 on good ol amazon. they also have them at most department stores (walmart,kmart etc) in the thermometer isle.
amazon is wonderful no matter where you live or what you choose.

My dad uses the Huff Coughing Technique to cough things up. It is a way to cough with COPD and not drain yourself completely. And for myself (asthma though) I drink hot water with lemon...over time it seems to loosen things up! Hope this helps!

Thanks for all the advice on mucous! I have page marked the effective coughing technique.

Benze, There is a device called an Acapella Vibratory which you exhale into. It provides resistance to your lungs, and helps to break up the mucus that rests inside. It loosens the mucus making it easier to cough out. Hope this helps you. Take care, Bill

The mucinex we get here in Colorado contains guafenecin to loosen and dextromathorfan to lessen the urge to cough.

For me I like that combo because if I try too hard to cough everything up it just gets my airway more irritated.

Should b easy to order online