Suggest Remedy For Severe Chest Congestion And Cough

Posted on Mon, 26 Oct 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 Answered on

Tue, 17 Nov 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I am having vein ablation surgery tomorrow and I have a cold. The surgeon's office is not too concerned as long as I can control the symptoms - congestion and coughing. Afrin seems to work ok for short term congestion and Maximum strength Mucinex Fast XXXXXXX day time severe congestion and cough medicine seems ok for the cough. I also have Tussenex for coughing. The office just told me to try stuff out and let them know at the end of the day. What are your thoughts on this? I actually will be talking Diazepam for the surgery and topical lidocaine.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (56 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
affects levels of alertness

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

Afrin is a locally applied decongestants.

Tussinex contains an anti histamine , chlopheniramine and also hydrocodone, both acting as cough suppressants.

There are different types of mucinex. Mucinex fast XXXXXXX may contain a cough suppressant (dextromethorphan), a decongestant, a mucolytic (medication to break up mucus) and in some instances , paracetamol.

These agents may mainly interact to affect alertness eg the antihistamine and cough suppressants can cause drowsiness and the decongestants may cause increase activity.

Diazepam as well, would obviously cause drowsiness so this is a consideration in terms of mixing with the tussinex.

If the mucinex works for you then you may want to stick to just this and the afrin to avoid increased sedation.

If you are undergoing general anesthesia not local and you are severely congested then the surgery may have to be postponed because your airways are compromised.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (6 minutes later)

Thank you. I was thinking the same thing. I checked interactions and the Tussinex interacts too much with the others although for cough it is the best. I am not undergoing general anesthesia, I will be given Diazepam and then local lidocaine for your legs. With ablation they just make small incisions for the instrument to go through to ablate the vein. I had it before it isn't too bad. I think the concern was that they move the table around and they wanted me to breathe ok (congestion) and not cough. I am taking the Mucinex today to see how it works for laying down and the cough. So it sounds like as long as I can control the cough and congestion it is not going to be a health risk just because of the cold?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
no should not pose a risk for you

Detailed Answer:
HI

Sorry about the late reply

No, the cold should not pose a health risk for you.

I agree, use the mucinex today and see how it goes. Honey has also found to be effective for cough/cold for some persons, can consider this unless you have a known allergy or issue with it

Please feel free to ask anything else

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar