You probably read something I wrote on this site: I started taking it for fibromyalgia (see http://www.fibromyalgiatreatment.com) and kept taking it when the diagnosis turned into RA.  It's a modern version of an old-time remedy for "rheumatism."  It not only thins mucus, it seems to make it easier for nutrients to get in/out of cells, which helps cell metabolism (that's one theory anyway - there is some evidence that people with FM have more 'viscous' blood and an imbalance of ATP/ADP in their mitochondria.  One doctor who treats FM (Dr. Paul St. Amand) thinks there is too much phosphates with FM and that the guai helps get the extra out of the body.  It has not been proven but a lot of people on the guai/FM site have found that taking guai helps them.  It can increase pain at first as it works but then things get better.  I started so early with it, it helped my energy literally overnight. Sometimes that effect wears off for people but for me it has continued to help.  I can tell when I forget it because my fingernails break easily.  I know this all sounds weird but if you want to know more about it, read Dr. St. Amand's "What Your Doctor Never Told You About Fibromyalgia."  I don't necessarily agree with his theory, however, the guai really made a difference.  I asked my doctor about trying it and he said it couldn't hurt and he'd like to know if it helped because he has other FM patients.  He later told me it seemed to help about 50%.

     A lot of people with RA also have FM.   I can't tell you if it will specifically help your RA but I will be interested to know if you find it helpful. 

srustin1

11/ 4/09 10:51pm

Elen, that was what I read before, thanks so much for the information. I went loking for Mucinex and there are so many. Does it matter which Mucinex I try. Several years ago, my doctor said I probably have FM, I haven't have symtoms in a long time. I think maybe my Enbrel might be helping with that, that's the only thing I can think of.
I just turned 50, i never thought I would even reach the age og 40 since I've had RA for  26 yrs. When i was first diagnosed the

 

dr's said the average person lived only about 20 yrs. i'm sure glad I beat those odds.

I will give it a try, especially since Enbrel gives me sinis problems., so can you tell me which mucinex to try?

thanks

Ellen Galo

11/ 5/09 8:27am

Mucinex is a brand name.  I have a prescription from my doctor for generic guaifenesin, it's cheaper than the brand name too.  Most people who use Mucinex get a 600 mg tablet which they break in half and take half in the morning and half in the evening.  I take a little bit smaller dose, it's a child's version, 200 mg tablets (which can also be broken in half but I don't).  I take one 200 mg tablet with breakfast and and one 200 mg tablet with dinner.  It can irritate your stomach if you don't take it with food. 

    I don't know if it comes in 300 mg size, I think it does in 400 mg.  You can also get it OTC online at www.2line.com (click on guaifenesin in the right-hand column - I bought it from this site a couple of times) if your doctor didn't want to prescribe it.  But my doctor was happy to do it and glad it helped. 

I just got off a 2 week course of Mucinex.  It is to help thin and loosen the phlegm (mucous) and help you cough it out.  Works pretty good but never heard it used for RA before.