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← Return to 7% and excessive phlegm
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I suggest eliminating potential irritants one at a time, and waiting for several days for things to calm.
Since the purpose of the saline is to enhance mucus production to improve clearance, maybe you don't need it at all. And maybe it is doing the same to your lungs as the rinses to your sinuses - irritating and causing more mucus?
The vest is not a requirement for airway clearance. If you are able to produce and expel mucus without it, maybe it too is irritating your body?
Finally, when you are doing your clearance, are you coughing (another irritant) or just active breathing cycles and "huff coughing"?
I looked at your statement "I never had these issues prior to starting airway clearance..." and started thinking maybe you need a complete "do over" after a rest, trying to reset yourself to baseline. Do you thinks that is something the doctor would be willing to let you try? Or something you are willing to try on your own?
By the way, have you been diagnosed with MAC, and are you taking antibiotics for it?
Replies to "I suggest eliminating potential irritants one at a time, and waiting for several days for things..."
Hi Sue, Thank you so much for your thoughtful response to my post, I am new to this posting on Mayo site and having already heard from many of you who have similar problems gives me hope we can all learn from each other and figure out what is going on in our bodies with this phlegm issue. I was diagnosed with MAC in 2017 and went on the Big 3 at that time. I was not told by my local pulm anything about airway clearance, he had me get an aerobika with no help really on how to use it and no saline was being suggested. In 2021 I went to National Jewish and still had the MAC so went on the Big 3 again but higher dosages for 18 months and had my RML removed as it was destroyed with Bronchiectasis. Since then I have been in good shape with my lungs however with the directive to still use the vest and 7% saline with aerobika. Something changed for me as I started to have mucus all the time especially after a drink of water and eating food. It never leaves my throat. I am not coughing very much, some huff coughing but mostly just using my throat to get this mucous out. I know what I am doing is harming my vocal cords. I do try to stop using things and drop down to 3% sometimes. I like your suggestions however and I should try to reset to baseline. I am fine doing that on my own as my doctors think my lungs are in good shape now but they are never wanting to stop airway clearance is what I have learned. I will try, it is hard with all the phlegm/mucus that wants to come out, but will make some changes and see if helps. Thanks again!
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Sue-I was surprised about your comment that says "saline is to enhance mucus production to improve clearance." I was under the impression that the saline is used to moisten the lungs to get mucus up and out easier. If what you are saying is true that it actually creates more mucus that would make sense as to why I cough up 1/2 c. each session which is more than I use to have to clear out. My doctors told me to nebulize twice a day with 7% saline but it's been concerning how much mucus I am producing every day which seems like an excessive amount and pretty much keeps me house bound. The physical toll on my small petite frame and low weight is tremendous as I work very hard at getting it all out. Thank you.