How can I get rid of the excess mucous keeping me up all night

Hope it works for you.

Robert ~

You must be exhausted. And wanting a decent nights sleep.

Congrats on stopping the smoking!  I have done so also and it is the best thing to have done...it goes a very long way to improving things for you on many levels.

You will still have your lungs trying to rid itself of mucous as you have some from smoking. And beyond that COPD produces mucous.

Have you anyone who might get to a pharmacy and speak with the pharmacist about an expectorant..something that will thin and loosen the mucous so that you might get it up easier and be able to cough it out? It is always beneficial if you are producing phlegm to be able to cough it out, moreso during the day , but you would like to try to settle down at night so you can sleep.

Also, you have mentioned increased humidity with trying to help. Sometimes this can make the air too heavy and cause more difficulty in breathing...perhaps try without and see if this helps.

It is good you are taking more fluids as this will also thin secretions.

The other consideration is your sinuses. Is it possible that you have post nasal drip, that the sinuses are draining into the back of your throat when you lie down?

Have you tried to raise your head a little higher for sleeping?

How long have you been taking a decongestant? Sometimes they begin to act in the reverse if you have been on them for a long time and it could be you may require a "holiday' from taking them.

I know severa people with sinus problems who have used Netti pots to clear the sinuses and use them regularly, for example prior to bed and again in the morning. Besides ridding the passages of mucous, it also helps in hydrating the mucous membranes in the nasal passages....I have used it also, with a bit of practise and it might be  something for you to consider.  There are little packets of powder that can be mixed with water that you use with the Netti pot.

Has the doctor started you on any medication for your COPD?

Lill

I can't imagine how hard it must be to deal with foreign pharmacies especially in a country with a completely different medical system. Speaking of which have you tried acupuncture for this or even just for the mucus? Where err I get treatments they would mention possible dietary connections with excess phlegm If interested you can Google that topic.

Tea made from the flowers of what we call elderberry shrubs/trees can be very helpful for the mucus. I also use over the counter meds with guafenisin. Slippery elm lozenges help some people though probably only for a few hours.

Regarding pillows, what perhaps someone else was suggesting is that you might try having some pillows under your upper torso with head raised a little higher than chest. Very easy if one has a hospital style bed but pillows work also.

Congratulations big time on quitting cigs. We are all here to cheer you on on that one.

You seem to be doing a lot to try and help the problem, but if you did get mucudyne prescribed you probably would need to stop the decongestant meds

Do hope if you get the mucodyne on prescription it works well for you.

Best wishes V