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7% Saline Success Story that warmed my heart.
Last year, I met a woman at our winter church who has had MAI (MAC) and Bronchiectasis for years, and had a horrible chronic cough. When she heard that #1 I knew what it was, and #2 I was on Mayo Connect, she started asking questions.
Over many conversations and text messages I convinced her to give 7% saline and airway clearance a try. Her doctor here never heard of it, so her husband ordered it on Amazon & she started using it daily.
Yesterday, she was waiting by my usual pew when I arrived at church and said to me, "I need to hug you. You saved my life!" She went on to explain she convinced her pulmonologist back home to order it, got Medicare to pay for it, and used it twice a day for months. By Fall, she was down to 5 times a week, and now she uses it twice a week (but daily airway clearance.)
Here was her story - in 2022 she was on antibiotics and/or steroids 19 times. She coughed a lot during the day, all night long, and whenever she tried to exert herself.
In 2023, she had ZERO exacerbations requiring antibiotics or steroids. She coughs far less (they used incense in our service, I was hacking up a lung, and she only coughed once or twice.) Her lung function improved 12% between her Spring appointment and December. She has been able to regain a little weight.
This is a lot like my experience with 7% saline and rigorous daily airway clearance. I made it through 2023 with one exacerbation that required steroids, no antibiotics. My lung function has held steady for 4 years using only airway clearance & saline. In my case I also use oral NAC and Mucinex because I have very "sticky" mucus and it helps keep it thin enough to expel.
Has anyone else managed to "ditch the Big 3" by using airway clearance and saline?
Sue
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Yea I too ditched the Big 3 and it’s 7% Saline all the way! I regained 35 lbs!
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2 ReactionsMedicare will not pay for 7% saline.
My story.
There might have been things lost in translation (as we know a doctors time is very limited during our in office visits and possibly because, as Sue enlightened me on, I am in overall good health...it's just my BE/MAI) during my office visits with my BE specialist because several months ago I was told to start two of the medications, Azithromycin, and Ethambutol. However for various reasons I did not start them and was in turmoil due to my decision of going against the specialist's instructions and my belief about the matter. I had a low MAI load when first diagnosed and do have a low MAI, as yet. It has not gotten worse, yet. I am working hard at what we need to do for ourselves with our lung problem(s).
However this week I had a telephone visit with the doctor and was given a greater amount of time to truly discuss all information, tests, my routine, how I am doing and how I feel. With all that reviewed and discussed I was told I didn't need to do the antibiotics. So as I said, in prior visits there might have been things lost in translation.
I am doing my BE therapy routine, drinking warm liquids such as homemade soups, warm cups of water and making special fresh tea of Cinnamon Stick and Ginger Slices, exercising, taking vitamin supplements such as garlic, Vitamin C, Zinc and Vitamins D, B's etc., (my choice to strengthen and keep the immune system strong) doing my best to get 7 to 8 hours of sleep, avoiding stress as best I can and masking in public and sometimes at home depending who is visiting. I think it all helps protect us and as well loosen the mucus and mucus plugs.
I am gaining the weight back....much olive oil, avocado oil and, as Linda Esposito speaks of, enjoying dense food choices. To my good fortune I love being in the kitchen and cooking for myself, especially new recipes. 😊 Since I avoid "playing" in the soil now, I can spend more time at my other love, creative cooking.😉
Wishing us all the ability to find our way to do what is most comfortable for us and what we each feel we can or cannot do. Not an easy task sometimes.
Barbara
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3 ReactionsThis is not true. Medicare Part D (prescription drug plan) does not usually cover it.
IF you have another prescribed, inhalable drug and a nebulizer, Medicare Part B covers it. The problem is getting the pharmacy to submit the paperwork correctly.
I have many. It does not.
Barbara, so glad you had that telephone visit with your doctor and are no longer being advised to take the antibiotics. This must put your mind at ease! Best wishes for continued good health.
May I know what is garlic supplement good for?
There are various reliable sites and information about the benefits of garlic on the internet. This is one statement:
Antibiotic properties - Garlic contains allicin, which acts as an antibiotic. Garlic releases allicin when a person chops or crushes it.
You might want more of an explanation to your question of "what is garlic supplement good for" and googling it in different ways will bring much good information up for you.
I have understood, hopefully I understand correctly, that garlic has several benefits for us.
I am one of those who uses garlic a great deal in my cooking, besides taking a garlic supplement.
So far with all that I do take as supplements they have not had a negative effect on me and I've been a believer in taking supplements in moderation as long as you understand, somewhat, the body chemistry and its needs .....and take only what you need. For me with BE/MAI I take supplements and eat foods that I feel will keep my immune system strong.
This BE/MAI health problem flared up during a period of high stress and during that period of unrelenting stress I, as we all were, was learning how to deal with the concerns of Covid, the vaccine decision etc etc...... Foolishly during that period I was not doing right by myself and made some not so beneficial choices that caused a weakened immune system.
When doing right by myself and paying close attention to my physical being and the little bit I have learned along the way my body has healed and come back from a couple of serious illnesses.
As I have mentioned in another post, luckily, this is my first chronic illness which started showing it's 'ugly face' at age 78, diagnosed at age 80. I was late in learning much about what one needs to do for oneself with BE/MAC and have been greatly helped by all on this site.
I will never fully know what one thing I am doing that might be helping me keep my infection down (I have not taken antibiotics as yet) however I have understood for years that garlic is a good source for several things we concern ourselves with in trying to stay as healthy as we can.....however....things do happen, hello BE/MAI. I consider myself fortunate in many ways and am so thankful for that. My one good fortune is that I am able to easily bring up and out the mucus and mucus plugs of BE. For me water/moisture intake is one big key for getting it up and out.
I am hoping my C Scans continue to show a lessening of inflammation and hopefully improvement in all areas of the lungs. Fingers crossed.
Hoping for all good results for you as well.
Barbara
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2 ReactionsAmthem (old Blue Cross Blue Shield) Medicare pays for my 7% saline.
So glad this has worked for you! I’m hoping to stay away from antibiotics by doing all the right things—you are inspiring! (Just got diagnosed with MAC a couple of weeks ago. )