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Doing airway clearance 1x/day vs 2x/day
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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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.
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2 ReactionsI 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.
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2 Reactions@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.
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1 ReactionThank you! So the Aerobika is also called a flutter?
@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!
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1 ReactionWhat is SOB
What is postural draining
Shortness of breath
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2 ReactionsHi, I had a similar protocol three times a day with an exacerbation.
I went back to my doctor at at NJH and was told to use an aerobika with the ombra xl nebulizer system 2 x a day with only saline. 7%
So this accomplishes airway clearance and producing mucus in one step. The recommended going about 10-12 breaths through the aerobika system and then huff cough
This works really well and cuts down the time amazingly.
I included the picture. It also has the Mano ester so you can make sure you are not blowing too forcefully.
I also like it because it nebulizes on demand. The saline will only be activated when you are blowing in has a little button on top that shows you as well.
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3 ReactionsHi Pacathy-
You mentioned having to stop postural drainage due to reflux. Due to the possibility of my having reflux (tested negative for acid reflux at NJH but told I have a hiatal hernia) I am curious, if you remember, what was happening when you did postural drainage.
Barbara