3% Saline vs. 7% for Nebulizing

First of all, the old advice about avoiding dairy has been found to be true for only a few people who are dairy-sensitive. The theory was that dairy made your mucus thicker - testing by Dr McShane at UT Tyler has shown this is not so for most people.

Chronic disease (with or without infection) causes tissue damage that needs to be repaired - this means a high-protein, nutrient dense diet. Especially older adults do not get enough protein, so finding safe sources - fatty fish, lean chicken and pork, eggs, dairy and occasional beef, as well as legumes (beans) is important.

I don't put a lot of stock in all the books promoting one diet over another, and especially not any that "forbid" specific foods - unless you have a true allergy to them, or they interfere with a medication your are taking.

I don't know how you usually eat, but we fill our dinner plates with 2 or more vegetables, a starch, a serving of protein and a side of fruit. Sometimes it is separate dishes, other times a skillet meal or a hearty soup/stew. For breakfast, it is yogurt with fruits and pumpkin seeds or whole grain toast with peanut butter and a side of fruit. Lunch is leftovers from dinner, or a smoothie or a bowl of garden veggies with cottage cheese. Or if I am treating myself, hard cheese, crackers and fruit (watching that darn cholesterol.) At least 2 meals a week are based on beans - either a stew, a Southwestern rice/bean/chile bowl, or a stir-fry with tofu.

Why are you avoiding soy?

Not sure how the discussion about 7% saline vs. 3% saline morphed into a discussion about diet but okay. Hope you find the answers you need.

Michelle McDonald is a nutritionist at National Jewish Health who frequently does webinars sponsored by NTM Info and Research which I have found helpful. This is a link to her most recent webinar. Fear is pretty big in the beginning of this journey we are all on, and there is so much to learn! But most of us find ways to manage. Wishing you all the best.
Anna

@zscline 3% Saline is available online at Base Laboratories but it is $24 for 25 5ml vials. Here is the link. https://baselaboratories.com/collections/saline-solution-for-nebulizer-machine/products/base-labs-saline-solution-for-nebulizer-machine

Zscline ask your insurance and also ask your doctor even pcp to prescribe it . Most of Medicare plans cover all 7,3 and 0.9% saline. I have Aetna and my husband has united health care and they cover. I am not trying to be smart because you might have gone that path

I appreciate your input. Originally my doctor prescribed it for me. We tried Costco Pharmacy and two local pharmacies. None had nebulizers or the saline solution. Finally, pharmacist number 3 suggested that I try Amazon Prime, which I did. So, that's where I have gotten it and it really isn't very expensive. My only problem is that the supplier kept indicating that they only had 7% available and asked if I would take a substitute for 3%. They never seemed to get 3% back and I find the 7% too harsh to deal with. Now, I have a suggestion as to how to dilute it, so that will be what I do if I go back to nebulizing. Right now, I am not using it and seeing how I do without, but I do like having that option. Thanks again!

If you don’t mind trying another pharmacy-I use 3% and have had no issues securing the prescription from CVS. It doesn’t irritate my throat or airways. CVS is good about looking locally at other CVS pharmacies if they don’t have it. It’s important you nebulize with saline.

Interesting. I don't believe we have a CVS nearby, but maybe not too far away. I will have to check. I did start out using 3% and I agree. It did not irritate my throat and was soothing. Thanks again for the suggestion.

Hi Zscline:
I just found 3% on Amazon. I hope this helps.
https://www.amazon.com/KNOXZY-Hypertonic-Solution-Suitable-containers/dp/B0DCGC3MQF/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1IM9WP50IO00W&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.6hJWDPlblJgfoO2luKtAlAXnER85wtOvoPj_7AN7L_0y4gOaY0_2ZqJKvzMcjncaGnrpJPTl5PcHJMhgowPyoWIRtVYx1b-FxZDkzMwDqs5zdJkJ5NwIjFStSo2l4wpFUiYxZlGNqlyOzp0oT4m2rOwajkkm2Ljfyn1ak3IywC3ydFwBzY8rwAZxF546yetLrjokqPHvnrKZmwq0VdM5xA21lycjbxBvR3mJsqTcWHU.CrcTfa7VDzZu5itbsWBM0oLRaVsnyy3tzQHfzDf16uA&dib_tag=se&keywords=3%25+hypertonic+saline&qid=1727277797&s=digital-text&sprefix=3%25+hypertonic+saline%2Cdigital-text%2C190&sr=1-3

It might help to take frequent breaks with sips of water when inhaling hyper saline. My favorite water is honey tea. Boiled water (of course) with a teaspoon of honey in it for the sips. While the 3% was better for clearing than the 0.09% saline, I feel like I could not be without 7%. Even after using it for quite sometime, I still cough and have to take breaks when nebbing it.