Hi friends!
Let’s just start with this. This isn’t medical advice, but information I’ve actually experienced, plus a ton of research on doctor websites and such. Don’t go off and take supplements without talking to your doctor. I mean it. Also here’s the drugs.com information sheet that contains contraindications, directions, side effects, etc. Guaifenesin Uses, Dosage & Side Effects – Drugs.com
OK, so here we go. I’m all over the forums and support groups for women with lipedema worldwide. I’ve been wanting to write this post for a while, but frankly, have been a little shied away because ya know, I don’t like being sued. LOL!
But I’m seeing the actual lipedema doctors post on their sites about this drug called Mucinex that’s over the counter, and they’re recommending it to their patients. I tried an off brand of it a while back at a low dose and it really didn’t do anything but make my urine stink, so I got off of it. But then, I got COVID and pneumonia and actually had to take Mucinex at the maximum dose for two weeks to stay out of the hospital. One day during this happy event, I woke up and my legs were noticeably lighter, smaller, and they measured two inches less on each side. TWO INCHES. Also, when I walked, I could feel the skin on my legs moving very freely. Now I’m back onto taking Mucinex (the real brand) daily because of that amazing difference I saw. What’s odd is that I think it affected swelling, but it also affect fibrotic tissue in my legs, like it softened it.
I am a little in disbelief but hey, I’m sharing it with you so you can do your own research.
Did you know there’s an actual patent about using Guaifenesin for treating lymphedema to reduce protein concentration? Yep! Here it is: US6436448.pdf (storage.googleapis.com)
Lipedema Doctors Recommending use of Mucinex: I promise I’m not making this up:
Dr. Marcia Byrd: Mucinex is recommended for those women suffering from lipedema. (byrdaesthetic.com)
Dr. Thomas Wright: Do’s and Don’ts of Living with Lipedema | Lipedema.net
Dr. Karen L. Herbst: Medicine and Supplements for People with Lipedema and Dercum’s Disease (DD)
The Lipedema Patient Roundtable from October 10, 2022 discussed using Mucinex. See it here: Lipedema Patient Roundtable: September 2022 (lymphapress.com)
Bistromd.com recommends using Mucinex for Lipedema. The Best Diet for Lipedema According to RDs & Nutrition Experts | BistroMD
It’s mentioned on Stylecraze’s article about lipedema. 6 Health Benefits Of Lipedema Diet, Exercise, & What To Eat (stylecraze.com)
What is Mucinex? It’s an over the counter pill used to loosen congestion. It’s non-brand name is guaifenesin.
How does it work? It breaks up coagulated protein in adipose tissue. According to Dr. Byrd’s website, “lipedema patients often have highly elevated concentrations of protein concentrates. By administering a therapeutic amount of Mucinex d (guaifenesin), along with a proper diet and proper enzyme supplement, (we) can increase the ability of the patient’s gastrointestinal tract to digest food while causing the patient to produce an effective amount of relaxin hormone.”
Is there Research on Mucinex and Lipedema? From Dr. Wright’s site: “To our knowledge, there are no published, controlled studies showing the use of Guaifenesin to treat lipedema or lymphedema. However, there are abundant reports from clinicians and lipedema patients stating Guaifenesin helps lipedema. In our limited clinical experience, about 20 – 30 % of lipedema patients report reduced pain and/or swelling when taking this medication. Plus, there are reports of Guaifenesin being used for pain relief to treat other diseases. Guaifenesin has shown modest but significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects in neck and back pain and some other conditions. It is thought guaifenesin may be working as a muscle relaxant effect that occurs in these conditions. Mucinex / guaifenesin may help pain or it may work as an expectorant in lipedema tissue and thin out extracellular proteins. However, there are no studies to support these theories in lipedema.”
Dosage: So this drug is approved for use at 600 mg twice a day (or 1,200 mg twice a day) for no more than 2,400 mg per day. Studies show that it takes at least a week to take effect. Dr. Wright’s site recommends lipedema patients try it for two weeks to see if it makes any difference (in addition to all the other conservative therapies we already do). TALK WITH YOUR DOCTOR.
So I’m sharing this info with you because you need to do your own research and talk with your doctor or pharmacist. But it’s nice to know there’s something out there that might help.
What do you think? Do you take Mucinex and does it do anything for you?
Take care, and please don’t sue me.
Susan
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