@lilianna It depends on the day if I use an albuterol inhaler or levalbuterol via nebulizer. They have both been effective for me. For sputum culture I try first thing in the morning after taking a glass of water and mucinex and the neb routine. Please keep in mind that I have had bronchiectasis for some time and have not tested positive for NTM etc so far. With airway clearance twice daily I am trying to keep it that way.

After watching Dr. Shane's video on airway clearance I have eliminated the aerobika during the saline neb, so inhaling directly into my lungs and not through the aerobika. So much better and the gunk comes up easier. In fact I have eliminated the aerobika from my routine altogether. (Amen one less item to clean/sterilize). Instead, I use well controlled breath holds and releases and postural drainage. After upright and lying down autogenic drainage, I position myself on my sleeping wedge on each side to create a downward slope for anymore gunk to drain. It takes a few breath holds, squeezes and the gunk moves down and out. I hope this helps you somehow.

If you continue to have issues with not being able to get a sample, how about trying 2 vials of saline in a row?