I was using Flonase at bedtime, feeling like it helped keep my nasal passages and throat clear of muck through the night and stopped the mouth breathing. Dr. Winthrop said he had no problem with the topical steroid, because it doesn't get into the system the way oral ones do.
That said, I'm not so sure the Flonase is working as well as I thought. I'm not mouth breathing, but wake in the night feeling like the mucus from my sinuses and lungs are rendezvousing in my throat in a big gunky mess. I'm trying saline washes now and wondering what time is best? Morning doesn't seem to do much. Maybe a couple hours before bedtime? Does anyone have experience with this?
Anna
Anna
Funny, "rendezvousing," but also true for me :"mucus rendezvousing in my throat". For me I have been told no post nasal drip, no sinus problem, so I somewhat believe, I may be wrong, some of my mucus problem may be caused by my supposed small hiatal hernia noted while tested at NJH. For me it is an all day long thing not just at night. In my readings I read a hiatal hernia can cause overproduction of mucus...and it sure isn't fun and so time consuming having to clear it out. It is worse after eating or drinking water.
There are a few of us here on the site that have stated having the problem of sleeping with our mouth open. I have gone back to taping my mouth closed by using micropore tape placed in the center of my mouth/lips and from the top of my lips to the bottom of my bottom lip. I think I still have problems with sleeping with my mouth open and therefore breathing through the mouth more so than the nose with its filtering system. This breathing through the mouth at night, I believe, is drying the mucus/sputum and makes it very sticky and hard to get up and out. I don't have the same sticky difficult substance problem so much during the day but just at night, daytime it is loose. I, for me, chew a small piece of stick gum for a minute or two and it loosens the sputum/mucus and somewhat helps to subside the constant need to clear the throat. Gum from a dental point of view isn't the best thing but so far all O.K.
Overall to date no real answers for me with this constant need to clear my throat of the sputum/mucus, (whatever it truly is and where it is coming from) problem.
Barbara
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
I need to push myself to do the walking outside in spite of the cold and yes I can but keep saying "too cold". Bad excuse especially since I have a concrete deck outside that surrounds the "money pit" and would give me a good path. I need to get my mind set turned around.
So now that I've admitted this, I have to get out there and do it! Maybe.
I find that when I wear the 3M N95 mask in public or outside it helps bring up the mucus/mucus plugs, after I take it off, and I think that is because I am breathing in my own warm moist air/breath. So as Sue said, and I do bundle up in this cold weather...we need to bundle up around the face beside the torso, legs and hands etc.
What I do is walk in the house even though it is not a long path but it works as I go from one end of the house to the other and back. One of the exercises I do is to sit in the bed, support my back and neck and do a movement with my legs as if I am riding a bike. A bit of aerobic exercise movement for me.
Illinois, (or Minnesota for the wintering Minnesotans) is a bit colder up that way than OKC in the winter!
Barbara
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.
Also, depending on your disease and/or diseases, you might be able to use an albuterol inhaler instead of nebulizing it. It will cut down on time. Discuss it with your doctor before changing your current practices.
I'm new to this group. At age 70-plus, I'm having my first bout of breathing problems. I visited with a pulmonologist this week, who changed my inhaler (to Symbicort) and also gave me an Aerobika. I've just tried the Aerobika for the first time, and I'm not sure if it helped loosen the mucus yet. My diagnosis is still uncertain. It may be asthma triggered by an upper respiratory infection, or it may be bronchiectasis. More testing needs to be done.
My question is about the Aerobika. Does it always bring up the mucus right away, or does it take a while before you notice any difference? Right now, I'm using an Advair inhaler and an Albuterol inhaler. (I'm waiting for insurance's OK for the Symbicort.) Should I use the Aerobika after using the inhaler? Will that make a difference? My next question involves using Symbicort. The doctor said it could be used for both maintenance and as a rescue inhaler. Has anyone used it for both?
I'm new to this group. At age 70-plus, I'm having my first bout of breathing problems. I visited with a pulmonologist this week, who changed my inhaler (to Symbicort) and also gave me an Aerobika. I've just tried the Aerobika for the first time, and I'm not sure if it helped loosen the mucus yet. My diagnosis is still uncertain. It may be asthma triggered by an upper respiratory infection, or it may be bronchiectasis. More testing needs to be done.
My question is about the Aerobika. Does it always bring up the mucus right away, or does it take a while before you notice any difference? Right now, I'm using an Advair inhaler and an Albuterol inhaler. (I'm waiting for insurance's OK for the Symbicort.) Should I use the Aerobika after using the inhaler? Will that make a difference? My next question involves using Symbicort. The doctor said it could be used for both maintenance and as a rescue inhaler. Has anyone used it for both?
Yes, Symbicort is used both for rescue and maintenance, except in the case of an extreme attack, then we resort to the nebulizer with albuterol and sometimes a nebulized or inhaled steroid. If you insurance company refuses the name brand, there is a lower-priced competitor called Breyna, and a generic version called Formoterol/Budesonide (this is the one my insurance approved.) I have used all three and find no difference between them. Two cautions, use with a spacer - like Aerochamber or Vortex - to get the medication into you lungs, and not in your mouth. My pulmonologist provides them twice a year, or you can get via Rx at the pharmacy or without an Rx on-line. And rinse your mouth thoroughly after using to avoid getting thrush.
Second, store the inhaler upright and shake hard before using. For some reason, it will stop working otherwise. If this happens, a couple good whacks on the counter followed by vigorous shaking usually fixes it. If not, return it to your pharmacy for replacement.
Now the Aerobika - yes, use it after the inhaler. It is a good idea to wait 10-15 minutes to give it time to take effect. When you use it, make sure you feel your chest vibrating, and not your cheeks. The frequency of vibration is also adjustable with the little gizmo on the back. Here is a YouTube video for using it.
After 5-10 breaths with the Aerobika, you will need to "huff cough" to move the mucus - here is a youtube describing the process:
After using, the device needs to be taken apart, soaked in dish detergent and hot water (I use anti-bacterial Dawn), rinsed and air dried. Ask your doctor if you should be sterilizing it periodically (depends on your lung condition and infection risk.)
I get better airway clearance with exercise after Symbicort, then huff coughing if the mucus doesn't come up on its own. Yoga, fast walking, rigorous house or yard work all work for me.
Let me know if you need more suggestions - I have lived with Asthma for many years, Bronchiectasis for the past 8 years (at least.)
Yes, Symbicort is used both for rescue and maintenance, except in the case of an extreme attack, then we resort to the nebulizer with albuterol and sometimes a nebulized or inhaled steroid. If you insurance company refuses the name brand, there is a lower-priced competitor called Breyna, and a generic version called Formoterol/Budesonide (this is the one my insurance approved.) I have used all three and find no difference between them. Two cautions, use with a spacer - like Aerochamber or Vortex - to get the medication into you lungs, and not in your mouth. My pulmonologist provides them twice a year, or you can get via Rx at the pharmacy or without an Rx on-line. And rinse your mouth thoroughly after using to avoid getting thrush.
Second, store the inhaler upright and shake hard before using. For some reason, it will stop working otherwise. If this happens, a couple good whacks on the counter followed by vigorous shaking usually fixes it. If not, return it to your pharmacy for replacement.
Now the Aerobika - yes, use it after the inhaler. It is a good idea to wait 10-15 minutes to give it time to take effect. When you use it, make sure you feel your chest vibrating, and not your cheeks. The frequency of vibration is also adjustable with the little gizmo on the back. Here is a YouTube video for using it.
After 5-10 breaths with the Aerobika, you will need to "huff cough" to move the mucus - here is a youtube describing the process:
After using, the device needs to be taken apart, soaked in dish detergent and hot water (I use anti-bacterial Dawn), rinsed and air dried. Ask your doctor if you should be sterilizing it periodically (depends on your lung condition and infection risk.)
I get better airway clearance with exercise after Symbicort, then huff coughing if the mucus doesn't come up on its own. Yoga, fast walking, rigorous house or yard work all work for me.
Let me know if you need more suggestions - I have lived with Asthma for many years, Bronchiectasis for the past 8 years (at least.)
Great information, Sue. I was given a spacer, but I have not used it yet. I'll check out the videos. This is a new territory for me, so I appreciate all the support!
Yes, Symbicort is used both for rescue and maintenance, except in the case of an extreme attack, then we resort to the nebulizer with albuterol and sometimes a nebulized or inhaled steroid. If you insurance company refuses the name brand, there is a lower-priced competitor called Breyna, and a generic version called Formoterol/Budesonide (this is the one my insurance approved.) I have used all three and find no difference between them. Two cautions, use with a spacer - like Aerochamber or Vortex - to get the medication into you lungs, and not in your mouth. My pulmonologist provides them twice a year, or you can get via Rx at the pharmacy or without an Rx on-line. And rinse your mouth thoroughly after using to avoid getting thrush.
Second, store the inhaler upright and shake hard before using. For some reason, it will stop working otherwise. If this happens, a couple good whacks on the counter followed by vigorous shaking usually fixes it. If not, return it to your pharmacy for replacement.
Now the Aerobika - yes, use it after the inhaler. It is a good idea to wait 10-15 minutes to give it time to take effect. When you use it, make sure you feel your chest vibrating, and not your cheeks. The frequency of vibration is also adjustable with the little gizmo on the back. Here is a YouTube video for using it.
After 5-10 breaths with the Aerobika, you will need to "huff cough" to move the mucus - here is a youtube describing the process:
After using, the device needs to be taken apart, soaked in dish detergent and hot water (I use anti-bacterial Dawn), rinsed and air dried. Ask your doctor if you should be sterilizing it periodically (depends on your lung condition and infection risk.)
I get better airway clearance with exercise after Symbicort, then huff coughing if the mucus doesn't come up on its own. Yoga, fast walking, rigorous house or yard work all work for me.
Let me know if you need more suggestions - I have lived with Asthma for many years, Bronchiectasis for the past 8 years (at least.)
Connect
Connect
Like
Helpful
Hug
Anna
Funny, "rendezvousing," but also true for me :"mucus rendezvousing in my throat". For me I have been told no post nasal drip, no sinus problem, so I somewhat believe, I may be wrong, some of my mucus problem may be caused by my supposed small hiatal hernia noted while tested at NJH. For me it is an all day long thing not just at night. In my readings I read a hiatal hernia can cause overproduction of mucus...and it sure isn't fun and so time consuming having to clear it out. It is worse after eating or drinking water.
There are a few of us here on the site that have stated having the problem of sleeping with our mouth open. I have gone back to taping my mouth closed by using micropore tape placed in the center of my mouth/lips and from the top of my lips to the bottom of my bottom lip. I think I still have problems with sleeping with my mouth open and therefore breathing through the mouth more so than the nose with its filtering system. This breathing through the mouth at night, I believe, is drying the mucus/sputum and makes it very sticky and hard to get up and out. I don't have the same sticky difficult substance problem so much during the day but just at night, daytime it is loose. I, for me, chew a small piece of stick gum for a minute or two and it loosens the sputum/mucus and somewhat helps to subside the constant need to clear the throat. Gum from a dental point of view isn't the best thing but so far all O.K.
Overall to date no real answers for me with this constant need to clear my throat of the sputum/mucus, (whatever it truly is and where it is coming from) problem.
Barbara
I need to push myself to do the walking outside in spite of the cold and yes I can but keep saying "too cold". Bad excuse especially since I have a concrete deck outside that surrounds the "money pit" and would give me a good path. I need to get my mind set turned around.
So now that I've admitted this, I have to get out there and do it! Maybe.
I find that when I wear the 3M N95 mask in public or outside it helps bring up the mucus/mucus plugs, after I take it off, and I think that is because I am breathing in my own warm moist air/breath. So as Sue said, and I do bundle up in this cold weather...we need to bundle up around the face beside the torso, legs and hands etc.
What I do is walk in the house even though it is not a long path but it works as I go from one end of the house to the other and back. One of the exercises I do is to sit in the bed, support my back and neck and do a movement with my legs as if I am riding a bike. A bit of aerobic exercise movement for me.
Illinois, (or Minnesota for the wintering Minnesotans) is a bit colder up that way than OKC in the winter!
Barbara
I don't see the link. Where is it?
If you go back to the post and click either image, you will see the Webinar or the air clearance video
Also, depending on your disease and/or diseases, you might be able to use an albuterol inhaler instead of nebulizing it. It will cut down on time. Discuss it with your doctor before changing your current practices.
Linda Esposito
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI have, also, Parkinson's. Is there anything that I should know to have better clearance?
l1954
Hello All:
I'm new to this group. At age 70-plus, I'm having my first bout of breathing problems. I visited with a pulmonologist this week, who changed my inhaler (to Symbicort) and also gave me an Aerobika. I've just tried the Aerobika for the first time, and I'm not sure if it helped loosen the mucus yet. My diagnosis is still uncertain. It may be asthma triggered by an upper respiratory infection, or it may be bronchiectasis. More testing needs to be done.
My question is about the Aerobika. Does it always bring up the mucus right away, or does it take a while before you notice any difference? Right now, I'm using an Advair inhaler and an Albuterol inhaler. (I'm waiting for insurance's OK for the Symbicort.) Should I use the Aerobika after using the inhaler? Will that make a difference? My next question involves using Symbicort. The doctor said it could be used for both maintenance and as a rescue inhaler. Has anyone used it for both?
@hopeful33250 Hi Teresa - Welcome to my world!
Yes, Symbicort is used both for rescue and maintenance, except in the case of an extreme attack, then we resort to the nebulizer with albuterol and sometimes a nebulized or inhaled steroid. If you insurance company refuses the name brand, there is a lower-priced competitor called Breyna, and a generic version called Formoterol/Budesonide (this is the one my insurance approved.) I have used all three and find no difference between them. Two cautions, use with a spacer - like Aerochamber or Vortex - to get the medication into you lungs, and not in your mouth. My pulmonologist provides them twice a year, or you can get via Rx at the pharmacy or without an Rx on-line. And rinse your mouth thoroughly after using to avoid getting thrush.
Second, store the inhaler upright and shake hard before using. For some reason, it will stop working otherwise. If this happens, a couple good whacks on the counter followed by vigorous shaking usually fixes it. If not, return it to your pharmacy for replacement.
Now the Aerobika - yes, use it after the inhaler. It is a good idea to wait 10-15 minutes to give it time to take effect. When you use it, make sure you feel your chest vibrating, and not your cheeks. The frequency of vibration is also adjustable with the little gizmo on the back. Here is a YouTube video for using it.
After 5-10 breaths with the Aerobika, you will need to "huff cough" to move the mucus - here is a youtube describing the process:
After using, the device needs to be taken apart, soaked in dish detergent and hot water (I use anti-bacterial Dawn), rinsed and air dried. Ask your doctor if you should be sterilizing it periodically (depends on your lung condition and infection risk.)
I get better airway clearance with exercise after Symbicort, then huff coughing if the mucus doesn't come up on its own. Yoga, fast walking, rigorous house or yard work all work for me.
Let me know if you need more suggestions - I have lived with Asthma for many years, Bronchiectasis for the past 8 years (at least.)
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@sueinmn
Great information, Sue. I was given a spacer, but I have not used it yet. I'll check out the videos. This is a new territory for me, so I appreciate all the support!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@sueinmn
In one of the videos, a nose clip was mentioned. Have you found a nose clip to be helpful when using the Aerobika?