I love it when you say "So much of dealing with this BE seems to be about experimenting and seeing what works for you personally. There is not one regime for everyone to follow."
For years I have been on my soapbox "preaching" that - in fact, there is even a long-running discussion on that exact topic.

As for inhalers, I finally found the one that works - for me - called Breyna (generic for Symbicort). It is a combination very low-dose steroid and and a long-acting beta agonist used twice a day, two puffs. I am exacerbation-free as long as I use it faithfully, but skip a day or two and the old heavy chest/hard to breathe feeling comes back. I know it goes against the common practice of no steroids for bronchiectasis patients, but my doctor says my results are worth the small risk. I have a new pulmonologist in September because mine retired suddenly, it will be interesting to see if she agrees.