The second ingredient in most "cough" medicines is the worst for us. Google the word DXM to find out why. Most OTC Syrups/Decongestants contain this or another med called PE. All Mucinex products contain one or the other. This is Bad stuff!!
The problem is they keep us FROM coughing and irritating the throat.
Normally, the mucus is thinned by Guafenesin (only) or drinking fluids and then we need to cough to get it Up and out. But you can also drink enough fluids where the mucus is just dissolved back into the body and expelled else where. 🤔🤔

I like using the nebulizer with a mask because you also breathe the meds in through the nose which cuts the mucus from post-nasal drip. Simple cough drops can keep the throat feeling smooth along the way. And they're cheaper! Be well.

When I'm on my bike and taking sips of water along, I begin clearing my throat every few minutes and having crackling coughs, which makes me very happy because the exercise and water combination is loosening phlegm. Very simplistic, but it works. Add to this 1 or 2 Mucinex a day for awhile and it works even better.

ProAir and albuterol are cousins, so pretty much the same med with the same results. Either works and one may work better for you than the other. People use mucinex, NAC, nebulized saline solution, huff cough, devices like acapella and aerobika, percussion vests, manual percussion, and postural drainage among other techniques and methods to get mucus up and out. Any and all of these methods work for some people, some work better than others and you're probably just going to have to try them and find a routine that works for you.

*** Not a doc *** @A MyCOPDTeam Member, but my Better Breathers Club gave me the Acapella flutter device to help me cough up the phlegm, and then my doc switched that out for the Aerobika flutter device to use when I was struggling to get mucus up and out.

I believe @A MyCOPDTeam Member recommends the “huff” coughing method (findable on you tube if you want a video example), similar to what Felix Unger (actor Tony Randall) used to use on “The Odd Couple” TV show, LOL.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33PwVLxOiww

I find halotherapy really helps when I’m struggling, and salt inhalation at a spa works great when all other options have failed.

Mostly, I find hydration works best and is highly underrated as a way to thin secretions and help cough up and out that which needs to be gone. Good luck with whatever you try, as pollen season is the worst in my humble opinion.

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