posted
I started taking Guaifenesin (Walgreen brand of Mucinex) to see if it would reduce the pressure in my head, which for me, feels more like being in an unpressurized cabin than allergies or a sinus infection.
Now, the pressure actually feels more intense than it did before. Does this sound right?
-------------------- ---------- Danni Posts: 311 | From Glen Mills, PA | Registered: Jan 2009
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BoxerMom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25251
posted
You can have a type of "herx" on Guaifenesin.
In addition to clearing mucus, it is used for a specific type of Fibromyalgia in which patients retain phosphate ion, oxalic acid and/or uric acid as crystals in their muscles.
The guai corrects the problem in the kidneys and allows these materials to exit. As they exit, more flood into the bloodstream, causing increased pain and inflammation.
Maybe general inflammation is causing your head pressure. I know it works that way for me.
Drink lots of water. No inflammatory foods like sugar, deep-fried foods, bread/grains with gluten.
TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
posted
The use of guaifenesin will exacerbate symptoms of most people with fibromyalgia no matter what the cause (lyme etc.) I was on it for 10 years and it increased many of my symptoms but took away MCS and some other symptoms. The key for you is that it can exacerbate symptoms.
I'm not a doctor but I equate the head pressure with swelling/inflammation. I agree with boxermom, anti-inflammation measures are important. If it were me, I'd get off guaifenesin for now if it is making the head pressure worse because you do not want to make that worse if at all possible. Then I'd call my LLMD and tell them about the head pressure and ask if they can help.
Perhaps your LLMD will suggest anti-inflammatory herbs or meds. You may want to search the archives here for something as there are lots of posts about anti-inflammatory herbs.
Wishing you the best, Terry
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
I broke out in hives as soon as I took Mucinex. Not the here-and-there variety of hives either -- the all over, OMG, grab the Benedryl and watch carefully kind of hives.
I stopped the Mucinex right away, but continued to have hives around my ankles/shins/wrists/forearms for 5 weeks!
Oy. That said, one dose did take away alot of mucus. Wish I could have tolerated it.
Good luck to you....drink....drink...drink H2O.
wiserforit2
Posts: 273 | From Banks of the Hudson | Registered: Nov 2008
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ktkdommer
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
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posted
My son could not take the Extra Strength Mucinex. He started trembling. I cannot take the Mucinex D because my heart starts racing.
-------------------- Things are never dull. After 3 fighting Lyme, 2 are in remission. Youngest is still sick, age 22. He has new diagnosed Chiari Malformation and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. Posts: 1366 | From Perrysburg, Ohio | Registered: Nov 2010
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posted
If you go on the Prohealth site , they have pure guai with no fillers and colorings in it. It is the only decongestant o tolerate and it helps with the pain too !!!! They have extended release which I don't take or fast acting which is the regular stuff which I do !!!
Posts: 871 | From orange county, ca. | Registered: Jan 2006
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kidsgotlyme
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Member # 23691
posted
I have found that taking tumeric and fish oils help with inflammation. I have been battling a bout of bronchitis and have been taking massive amounts of both of these.
I also have had major head pressure. I got the generic form of a formula with benadryl, tylenol, and a decongestant together and it has helped so much.
-------------------- symptoms since 1993 that I can remember. 9/2018 diagnosed with Borellia, Babesia Duncani, and Bartonella Hensalae thru DNA Connections. Posts: 1470 | From Tennessee | Registered: Dec 2009
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It's still hard for me to determine if the recent increased pressure in my head is due to the Guaifenesin or not. In the past, it has always been correlated to barometric pressure. Given the weather system the past few days it could very well have been coincidental.
Per TerryK's suggestion, I discontinued taking the Guaifenesin yesterday and still woke up with the usual piercing icepick headache.
I may do a little experimentation and try it again but time it better with the weather.
Does anyone else have head pressure issues with the weather? Not mucous-ey or stuffy, just pressure like in an airplane.
-------------------- ---------- Danni Posts: 311 | From Glen Mills, PA | Registered: Jan 2009
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seekhelp
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 15067
posted
Yes, I sure do. I think it's Babesia.
Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
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posted
I use Mucinex and it is a lifesaver for me, though I just ordered quercetin with bromelain to see if that helps any...
-------------------- Urge Congress on EMF Safety, FCC Must Change Exposure Guidelines for Microwave Radiation Exposure: http://tinyurl.com/2cjq54y Halt Universal Broadband, A Public Health Hazard: http://tinyurl.com/3x7xrmq Posts: 495 | From USA | Registered: Mar 2010
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posted
I get lots of head pressure and visual issues with a drop in barometric pressure.
Mine is due to restricted CSF flow from Chiari Malformation and changes in weather creates addition pressure for me.
Posts: 376 | From New Jersey | Registered: Jun 2009
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TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
posted
xoxoxox wrote: I discontinued taking the Guaifenesin yesterday and still woke up with the usual piercing icepick headache.
I'm not sure how long you were taking guaifenesin but if guaifenesin contributed to your head pressure, it will take time for the effects to wear off. Similar to the way it takes time to get out of a bad herx after being on abx. I'd give it a week at least before starting guaifenesin again.
I hope your doctor can help you.
Terry I'm not a doctor
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
All I know is i took the recommended dose of guafenasin once and it made me feel soo aggitated. and then i woke up the next morning sore all over. never will I take it again
if you look at the side effects it says a rarer side effect is muscle soreness and stuff. its strong stuff.
Posts: 995 | From somewhere out there | Registered: Oct 2010
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posted
I only took the guaifenesin for about three days and the pressure in my head increased with each day. Stopped taking it and had the headache happened the next day.
Of course, the same thing happens when a pressure system builds so I'm not sure if it was the guaifenesin or the weather - which is why I'll try it again.
Unfortunately, my LLMD was the one who recently passed away (although the last time I went was the summer) so no LLMD advice is available.
-------------------- ---------- Danni Posts: 311 | From Glen Mills, PA | Registered: Jan 2009
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