Doing airway clearance 1x/day vs 2x/day

Posted by mirsy @mirsy, 2 days ago

My 81 yr old husband has bronchiectasis. His big symptoms are extreme tiredness and shortness of breath. He had a pacemaker put in 4 weeks ago and unfortunately it has not helped the tiredness and shortness of breath. Looks like the heart is now ruled out as cause of symptoms and we think it might be the brochectasis. He is having a CT scan next Monday which should give more info. He only does the airway clearance in the morning. Does it make a big difference if u do it 2x/day instead of 1? Thank you all so much for your help. Miriam

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lorrainewenn | @lorrainewenn | 1 day ago

Airway clearance two times a day is the gold standard. I also exercise 6 days a week which also helps with lung function. My biggest problem is timing the evening airway clearance and dinner. My respiratory therapist recommended doing them 12 hours apart.

pacathy | @pacathy | 1 day ago

I think it depends on individual. I went to Mayo for a diagnosis and treatment plan after CT showed bronchiectasis and probable MAC. They had me use albuterol neb, aerobika, postural drainage, huff coughing 2x day and exercise. When MAC cultures were negative and I was bring nothing up despite time spent, Mayo doc said daily was ok. I had to stop postural drainage due to reflux. I finally got into Penn’s bronchiectasis program and doc agrees daily is ok because I don’t bring up mucus. He added hypertonic 7% saline last fall to try to prevent my winter exacerbations. (I’d tried it on my own once before because of these forums to try to get mucus up. )
If I produced mucus, I’d increase the routine to 2x.
Good luck.

jnmy | @jnmy | 1 day ago

In reply to @mirsy "He doesnt do the Aerobica or the huff coughing. He uses a saline solution in the..." + (show)

@mirsy You’re welcome. You’ve had lots of excellent responses from people. If your husband can manage the huff coughing or an Aerobika that might be a good option.

If he chooses to try the flutter, you don’t need a prescription for the Aerobika. It can be purchased or ordered online or through a pharmacy.

All the best.

mirsy | @mirsy | 1 day ago

In reply to @jnmy "@mirsy You’re welcome. You’ve had lots of excellent responses from people. If your husband can manage..." + (show)

Thank you! So the Aerobika is also called a flutter?

jnmy | @jnmy | 8 hours ago

In reply to @mirsy "Thank you! So the Aerobika is also called a flutter?" + (show)

@mirsy Yes, sometimes referred to as a flutter by some people.

“The Aerobika OPEP (Oscillating Positive Expiratory Pressure) device is a hand-held airway clearance device that helps clear mucus and improve breathing.

It works by creating positive pressure and vibrations in the airways, helping to loosen and move mucus.“

Postural drainage works well for some people as well.

Depending on where the mucus is located, even lying down on your back for a minute or two, as you do some deep breathing / exhale using your diaphragm, and then sit up and complete huff, can help. (Placing your arms up behind your head if possible, might be beneficial.) You really have to experiment as others have said and check out the YouTube videos!

amap2025 | @amap2025 | 3 hours ago

In reply to @scoop "Twice a day is the gold standard for bronchiectasis. It's possible that excess gunk is causing..." + (show)

What is SOB

amap2025 | @amap2025 | 3 hours ago

In reply to @pacathy "I think it depends on individual. I went to Mayo for a diagnosis and treatment plan..." + (show)

What is postural draining