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Nebulizer with Albuterol vs Saline
My pulmonologist prescribed a nebulizer and albuterol in August, but I've put off using it until today due to not really having any side effects of the MAC and bronchiectasis except shortness of breath. I'm a retired teacher and have gone back to substituting. A little over 3 weeks ago, I came down with a cold from all the students coughing and sneezing. Tuesday, my PCP prescribed an antibiotic and prednisone since I haven't been able to get rid of this sinus infection/cold. All that to say, I decided to try the nebulizer and used 3 ml of the Albuterol. I experienced lots of shaking, increased heart rate, and overall nervous feeling in my body for about 30 minutes. Has anyone else experienced this and if so, does it happen every time or is it just because it's my first use? Next question...is using a saline solution effective and safer? I've put in a call to my pulmonologist, but this forum is always so helpful.
I'm also wondering whether I should reconsider substituting and being in such close proximity to so many kids coughing, sneezing, runny noses, etc. Are we more susceptible to catching upper respiratory crud because of the MAC/bronchiectasis?
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Yes. I get the racing heart and shaking when I use albuterol in my nebulizer. Happens every single time. And that is why I don't use my nebulizer very often even though I am supposed to do it every day.
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3 ReactionsAnd wow I can't believe you are in the same room with those little disease factories (kids). Bronchiectasis leaves you wide open to every bug those kids are coughing , sneezing, and dribbling out of their faces.
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2 ReactionsI tried the Albuterol but got the shakes, too. I nebulize saline everyday.
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3 ReactionsAlbuterol also made my hands shake and I felt jittery but it stopped doing that after a while. I no longer get that jittery feeling and no hand shaking.
Albuterol is used to open your airways and then followed by saline in order to allow the saline to get deeper into the lungs and loosen up that sticky mucous so it can be coughed out. The more mucous collects and stays stuck in our airways, the more trouble it causes with infections and damage to our lungs.
If you have Bronchiectasis and or Mycobacterium, save yourself some future misery by learning about and doing dedicated airway clearance.
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3 ReactionsI had very bad tremors with albuteral so just use atrovent low dose with NS which seems sufficient
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3 ReactionsLevabuterol will open airways but not produce the increased HR and shakes supposedly. Ask your Dr about using it instead. But be sure to nebulize the saline. I do not use either Albuterol or Levabuterol but I use 7% saline twice a day. It makes a huge difference. And if it were me, I would not work around children since you have BE.
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6 ReactionsThank you! I appreciate your advice.
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2 ReactionsThank you for sharing what's working for you. I'll definitely speak with my Dr about these alternatives.
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2 ReactionsI use to teach school also.
Every time I turn around I hear another parent having caught Covid after confirmation that their chidren have Covid.....not good...the same goes for families with every other health issue that can affect the lungs. I agree.....and sorry to say....they are " little disease factories" as
hbarbh said above. They don't understand the need for all the sanitary precautions one should take. Example: Washing your hands...and often.
Glad you have some answers to your question from "those in the know" and so helpful to us.
Barbara