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Has anyone had any experience with SSKI?

Anyone had any experience's with this? I read an article that said it was used in minimal amounts and that it really helped to break up mucus and phlegm. Has evidently fallen out of favor. But would like to know anyones experience using it. Thanks for your ears (eyes).

  1. Hi HOPS and thanks for your inquiry. Many years ago, I remember treating patients on the wards with SSKI on the prescription of a physician. It was thought the super saturated potassium iodide solution would help to break up the thicker mucus secretions that were characteristic for some of out COPD patients. It was not a popular form of therapy at the time but the doctors tried it when they had to try something when nothing else worked.
    If you're still interested in this type of therapy, I would suggest you discuss it with your physician to see if it would be recommended for you.
    Please do check back with us and let us know how you're doing.
    All the best,
    Leon

    1. Dear Leon, Thank you for your attentive response to my SSKI inquiry.. Can you remember if patients response to this medicine was beneficial to them in breaking up deep seated mucus and phlegm?. I know only a few drops are administered at a time in water or juice and you have to be monitored for both iodide and K levels just wondering how well it worked. Thanks again for your concern Hops

    2. Hi again HOPS - it's my pleasure. As I recall, it was an effort on the part of the physicians when nothing else seemed to help. This too, wasn't too effective but sometimes, in those days (the early 70's), we tried various methods to assist with the mucus. The patients sometimes said they felt better, but there was nothing empirical to demonstrate the improvement. They very well may have felt better just because of the extra attention provided to them at the time.
      Interesting stuff!
      Leon (site moderator)

  2. Hey HOPS - we're really building up some helpful reading material on this topic. Look at what we were discussing back in the beginning of October: https://copd.net/q-and-a/sski-loosen-congestio/.

    Pretty cool!!
    Leon (site moderator)

    1. Hi leon
      If SSKI is an old time solution can you suggest what other method an I apply.
      Hussein

      1. Hi Hussein and thanks for your inquiry. Although we cannot provide medical advice or diagnostics over the internet (for your own safety), your concerns certainly warrant a reply. In the most general of terms, some people advocate the use of any of the Mucinex line of products, some recommend the use of expectorant cough syrups. while others still believe in normal saline aerosols (another age-old method). It's probably best that you discuss this with your health care provider to see what is best for your specific condition. I also thought you might gain some additional insight by looking over this article: https://copd.net/clinical/mucus-with-copd/.
        All the best,
        Leon (site moderator)

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