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Why do I cough up mucus at the end of every meal?
MAC & Bronchiectasis | Last Active: Jan 25 11:38am | Replies (43)Comment receiving replies
Hi Barbara,
The medicines were the standard "Big Three": Azithromycin, Rifampin, and Ethambutol.
I am on them seven days a week. They said I had MAC, but didn't say any subspecies.
I give them three sputum samples every two months. My last round from October said
two out of three were negative, so that's an improvement.
I nebulize twice a day, at 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. 15 minutes of Albuterol, rest 15 minutes,
and then 30 minutes of 3% saline. I was doing 7% for six months and started coughing up
blood for a week, so the doctor switched me to 3%. Maybe twice a day I do the
Aerobica for five minutes.
Try to get to the gym 3-6 days a week. Leg press, Triceps press and treadmill; 10 minutes at
1 mph.
My son drains my water tank every three months and we keep the temperature at 140 F.
Soak the shower heads in 100% vinegar every three months for 5-10 minutes.
Hardly ever wear a mask. Lots of trouble breathing with one.
My O2 sat runs about 94-95 until I walk from one room to anther and then it can
go down to 86-88.
Hope this helps.
As Sue says, "we are all different".
Harry
Replies to "Hi Barbara, The medicines were the standard "Big Three": Azithromycin, Rifampin, and Ethambutol. I am on..."
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Good to hear from you Harry.
Glad to hear you have improvement and to hear all that you are doing...congrats on that Harry.
My prescription for meds is the Azithromycin and Ethambutol M/W/F. I still haven't started them. I am so torn and mostly because (1) of my past experience on antibiotics (24/7 liquid antibiotics), (2) hardly ever being on med's after that first time of a weeks long period of being on the liquid antibiotics and then (3) , as well, wanting and trying to clear it out without the meds. My gut feeling has been I need to give the meds a try to see if I experience good results...by clearing of the infection. I will be working on my feelings, thoughts and attitude about the meds.
My tests come back with Mycobacterium avium intracellulare (MAI) and have the type of infection has not changed since 10/2023. If I am correct in my reading of the results, the load has lessened. The last CScan showed two areas of improvement but one new lower lobe area with plugging. I am working harder with all to reach and clear the lower lobe along with working on clearing all with each session. I hope it is working.
I had trouble in 2020/2021 breathing with the surgical masks. Now with wearing masks I don't have any of those problems. It could be I cleared enough mucus to help with that after I understood air way clearance. Who knows.
How very nice and special that your son is able to help and drain the tank.
I had not been told to use Albuterol by doctor at NJH or Tyler. I guess it is because of my PFT, Pulmonary Function Test being off the scale in the right direction. I probably need to ask about that. I did the walking test at NJH and all was good then and now. I don't experience any problems to my understanding and knowledge with walking from room to room however I had at one time experienced shortness of breath under certain circumstances but do not have that any longer.
To Clarify: You submit three sputum tests viles same month every two months?
I have wondered why I haven't been asked to submit sputum vials at any time on consecutive days rather than just one a month. My submissions of sputum viles have been one a month. I have read that others do consecutive day submissions. I need to inquire about this difference.
Per your routine I better step it up...however I do feel I have helped myself so far to improve. With your showing me your routine it is helping me to talk to myself and say..."There is more you could be doing."
Yes....all different. So glad we can help each other in all ways, that we do to encourage each other and see/hear what others are doing that can help in different ways in our journey.
I will enjoy hearing about your journey from time to time.
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK and it is WORK!
Barbara