Aerobika

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?

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.

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.

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.

I definitely find "take a brisk walk" is very helpful. The response isn't usually immediate, but within half an hour things start moving and it's a good time to do something to encourage the clearing. Aerobika and/or AD are my usual methods for this time, having started my morning with nebulizing followed by Aerobika.
Anna

Sure, xyzal, Albuterol, Breztri, saline nasal irrigation, Flonase Propionate. That is what I do before the nebulizer. It doesn't help to get the mucus up.

@l1954, do they say why not to mix the Albuterol with the Saline solution?

Ling

It worked for me again this morning! I could feel some reluctant mucus that was resisting expulsion - 10 minutes into my walk, it came out easily.

Good morning Sue. I envy that brisk walk , probably you live somewhere warm. Illinois is not very friendly for brisk morning walks. I have to put a mask on because the cold air makes me short of breath. But I am so glad for you that you can use it as your clearance starter

Do you mind if I ask you why you take the Flonase? Do you have asthma? The reason I ask is that I had read that inhaled steroids can increase our risk for NTM.