Expectorant or not?

[Traveller]

Quick question particularly for any nurses out there in cyberspace

I have a horrible cold (bordering on man flu), it really hurts when I have to cough but I am coughing up green gunk. Should I take an expectorant or not? I sort of don't want to have to cough more (have pulled muscles in my stomach and it burns down to my lungs when I cough) but then again it's got to come out someway. Any ideas?

[k4t]

There's no need to take an expectorant. As you said, your body is already clever enough to bring all that 'green gunk' up by itself. Some humidified air and deep breathing exercises every hour or two will work just as well. Anti-inflammatories could help with the coughing pain if it's a muscle strain.

If you feel really unwell, high fevers, pain with every deep breath etc. then I would see a doctor to make sure it's not pneumonia.

[Traveller]

Thanks k4t, that's what I was thinking myself but I wanted to make sure I wasn't lengthening my recovery by not taking meds. Having ibuprofen and panadol for the pain, plus a hot shower 3 times a day which seems to help. Thanks for the advice

[luna moth]

I take one when I feel like the globs are too big to come up comfortably. Which is not often since I gave up dairy. Taking one just breaks it right down into tiny bits, and I reckon it makes coughing hurt less.

You could try one dose and see how it goes.

[Traveller]

Thanks Audax but I think I've managed to cough the majority of it away now. Just a dry cough now so I might take some codeine to knock it on it's head tonight.