Here it is - long but very worthwhile.
In addition to the breath-holding, Dr McShane has several other valuable suggestions, like how exercise can stimulate the lungs and help airway clearance.
If you nebulizing 7% and then aerobika with huff coughs in between aerobika ins outs, and a vest, is it still advisable to do active cycle of breathing or AD or anything else or nebulizer and aerobica session with huff cough plus a vest substitute other techniques. After nebulizing and aerobica my lungs are very dry already and even the clear sticky staff is not coming out. How much is too much
I use nebulizer and Aerobika together and then follow with 20 min with my vest. The nebulizer+Aerobika really helps with bringing up mucus. I don't get much mucus up with the vest but I still use it thinking it is helping on some level. I use 7% hypertonic saline.
@sueinmn A good tip that I heard while watching one of the videos Sue posted is the importance of the breath hold before huff cough.
The respirologist was explaining the different airway techniques and emphasized the importance of holding your breath between the inhale and huff cough.
I had thought that holding one’s breath for 4 or 5 seconds is standard, but he suggested that if we can hold our breath to a count of 10 or so, it can help produce more sputum when we huff cough afterwards. I’ve noticed the difference. I use postural drainage and a few breathing exercises and the longer breath hold does work over a session. I vary it up.
I wonder if people who have trouble with expelling sputum might just benefit from the longer breath hold too? The video was well worth the time to view it.
I have only been holding deep breaths 3 beats, am curious if holding longer will make a difference. I never heard this before, am going to give it a try!
Here it is - long but very worthwhile.
In addition to the breath-holding, Dr McShane has several other valuable suggestions, like how exercise can stimulate the lungs and help airway clearance.
@sueinmn
Sue, I don’t believe the video that I viewed was the one you have just recently posted.
I can’t find it at the moment, however you had posted it earlier this week. He delivered an informative presentation and then took questions afterwards. He wasn’t a pulmonologist. The moderator of the session was a woman. I should have saved it.
Perhaps it might be worth reposting, if you can?
If you nebulizing 7% and then aerobika with huff coughs in between aerobika ins outs, and a vest, is it still advisable to do active cycle of breathing or AD or anything else or nebulizer and aerobica session with huff cough plus a vest substitute other techniques. After nebulizing and aerobica my lungs are very dry already and even the clear sticky staff is not coming out. How much is too much
I don't know the answer to that. I never used a vest. I use the Aerobika or the breathing techniques or exercise. I have never needed more than one technique. I figure if nothing moves by then, it's not going to happen in that session, and go on with my day.
I don't know the answer to that. I never used a vest. I use the Aerobika or the breathing techniques or exercise. I have never needed more than one technique. I figure if nothing moves by then, it's not going to happen in that session, and go on with my day.
Thank you Sue. I think I do too much because I am afraid to stop if nothing comes out. I wonder how long are lung clearing sessions for those of us who cannot produce or produce little?
One of the things that helped me understand the reason for the breathing in and holding ones breath is to get the breaths, air flow, behind the mucus/mucus plugs to help push it up and out.
That sounds logical.
Loosening the mucus with moisture also loosens the mucus to help bring it up.
Barbara
Thank you Sue. I think I do too much because I am afraid to stop if nothing comes out. I wonder how long are lung clearing sessions for those of us who cannot produce or produce little?
Everybody is different. My original pulmonologist's excellent RN said "On days when nothing comes out, nebulize, talk a brisk walk or do an active chore for 10-15 minutes. Come back and try for 15-20 minutes, whatever way works best for you. DO NOT strain your throat or vocal chords. Expelling every drop is not the goal - it's to get the sticky stuff moving so most of it comes out. After that stop, go on with life and try later."
I never thought I would need this advice, because my lungs flowed like a river at the time. But later, as the infections and coughing got less, there were a lot of days I followed this advice and continued to get better.
And now, I use the inhaler, occasionally my neb, get moving then come back and cough it up - somedays teaspoons full, other days a little gob or two. Every so often, my husband will have his hand on my back and say "your lungs are crackly." Then I do serious airway clearance for a few days.
Over these years, I have used many different techniques, if one isn't moving anything after 4-5 minutes, I switch to another - Aerobika, active breathing, huff coughing, postural, yoga...pretty much every technique you have seen in every video - except the vest not recommended due to my arthritic spine and chronic pain.
My pulmonologist told me to do twice a day treatment using my vest and nebulizer, using albuterol and 7% saline. I have seen respiratory therapists using different technique. Some use the albuterol first followed by the saline while using the vest; others mix them together. If I don't mix them together (thereby diluting the saline) I find that the saline just hits the back of my throat and causes me to cough like crazy but not bring anything up. Is there a proper way to do chest clearance? I mix them together and use while my vest is running. Because of my schedule during the week I am finding it hard to fit in two treatments a day. Recently I was going thru my pulmonary "toys" and reconnected with my Aerobika. Reading the instructions I realized I could attach it to my nebulizer. Can I do a treatment that combine the vest treatment at the same time with the medications nebulized thru the Aerobika? I feel like it gives me more of a "bang" since my lungs are hyper inflated according to chest xrays and I don't think I'm getting everything deep enough. I also think that if I can't fit nebulizing in twice a day I could at least use the Aerobika to maybe help bring up something. Any ideas?
I read on the Bronchiectasis NTM conference that you don't want to mix the Albuterol with the Saline solution. I know the feeling of being to much to handle and I asked my pulmonologist if I could use a mask for when I feel awful and don't have the time. He told me yes I could use a mask. There is another nebulizer that is battery operated and you can take it anywhere. Medicare won't pay for it. Good luck as I too am not able to do twice a day.
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If you nebulizing 7% and then aerobika with huff coughs in between aerobika ins outs, and a vest, is it still advisable to do active cycle of breathing or AD or anything else or nebulizer and aerobica session with huff cough plus a vest substitute other techniques. After nebulizing and aerobica my lungs are very dry already and even the clear sticky staff is not coming out. How much is too much
Thanks. That is good to now know the Aerobikas use.
I have only been holding deep breaths 3 beats, am curious if holding longer will make a difference. I never heard this before, am going to give it a try!
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2 Reactions@sueinmn
Sue, I don’t believe the video that I viewed was the one you have just recently posted.
I can’t find it at the moment, however you had posted it earlier this week. He delivered an informative presentation and then took questions afterwards. He wasn’t a pulmonologist. The moderator of the session was a woman. I should have saved it.
Perhaps it might be worth reposting, if you can?
I don't know the answer to that. I never used a vest. I use the Aerobika or the breathing techniques or exercise. I have never needed more than one technique. I figure if nothing moves by then, it's not going to happen in that session, and go on with my day.
Anyone else want to share their experience?
Thank you Sue. I think I do too much because I am afraid to stop if nothing comes out. I wonder how long are lung clearing sessions for those of us who cannot produce or produce little?
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Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionOne of the things that helped me understand the reason for the breathing in and holding ones breath is to get the breaths, air flow, behind the mucus/mucus plugs to help push it up and out.
That sounds logical.
Loosening the mucus with moisture also loosens the mucus to help bring it up.
Barbara
Everybody is different. My original pulmonologist's excellent RN said "On days when nothing comes out, nebulize, talk a brisk walk or do an active chore for 10-15 minutes. Come back and try for 15-20 minutes, whatever way works best for you. DO NOT strain your throat or vocal chords. Expelling every drop is not the goal - it's to get the sticky stuff moving so most of it comes out. After that stop, go on with life and try later."
I never thought I would need this advice, because my lungs flowed like a river at the time. But later, as the infections and coughing got less, there were a lot of days I followed this advice and continued to get better.
And now, I use the inhaler, occasionally my neb, get moving then come back and cough it up - somedays teaspoons full, other days a little gob or two. Every so often, my husband will have his hand on my back and say "your lungs are crackly." Then I do serious airway clearance for a few days.
Over these years, I have used many different techniques, if one isn't moving anything after 4-5 minutes, I switch to another - Aerobika, active breathing, huff coughing, postural, yoga...pretty much every technique you have seen in every video - except the vest not recommended due to my arthritic spine and chronic pain.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsMy pulmonologist told me to do twice a day treatment using my vest and nebulizer, using albuterol and 7% saline. I have seen respiratory therapists using different technique. Some use the albuterol first followed by the saline while using the vest; others mix them together. If I don't mix them together (thereby diluting the saline) I find that the saline just hits the back of my throat and causes me to cough like crazy but not bring anything up. Is there a proper way to do chest clearance? I mix them together and use while my vest is running. Because of my schedule during the week I am finding it hard to fit in two treatments a day. Recently I was going thru my pulmonary "toys" and reconnected with my Aerobika. Reading the instructions I realized I could attach it to my nebulizer. Can I do a treatment that combine the vest treatment at the same time with the medications nebulized thru the Aerobika? I feel like it gives me more of a "bang" since my lungs are hyper inflated according to chest xrays and I don't think I'm getting everything deep enough. I also think that if I can't fit nebulizing in twice a day I could at least use the Aerobika to maybe help bring up something. Any ideas?
I read on the Bronchiectasis NTM conference that you don't want to mix the Albuterol with the Saline solution. I know the feeling of being to much to handle and I asked my pulmonologist if I could use a mask for when I feel awful and don't have the time. He told me yes I could use a mask. There is another nebulizer that is battery operated and you can take it anywhere. Medicare won't pay for it. Good luck as I too am not able to do twice a day.