Airway clearance not working?

Hi @formergardener,
Do you use any steroid inhalers? I use Breyna because I feel it helps to clear mucus better, otherwisee I feel mucus sticky to my airways. Do you have a similar feeling? You have been so helpful.

Thanks!

Ling

@reneemc, the recovery is going well. I read about massaging the scars to prevent adhesions and to soften the scars. It said that, although vitamin E containing oil is recommended, it has not been shown to be more effective than simple massaging. A u tube video showed circular, up and down, back and forth gentle massage. I found that doing this several times a day increased range of motion and did ease any remaining discomfort. I am four weeks out of the hospital as of this morning and see the surgeon for a follow up in early June, as well as my pulmonologist for a new baseline PFT and low dose CT. I am able to exercise as I did prior to surgery but still avoid most upper body until I get the doctor OK. I do notice that I still tire a little more easily.

Yesterday, I did something and apparently tore my left medial meniscus in the knee and will see an orthopedist next week. That is quite painful and limiting, but I was able to do the stationery bike, although I cannot put weight on the leg or bend it. Definitely disappointing after successful lung surgery!

Hi, @ling. I have never been to NJH, as I live in central Texas, and the logistics are difficult. However, I have been fortunate to be treated at UTHSC in Tyler, TX. I was given hands on airway clearance during my first visit there, and Dr. McShane also posted U Tube videos about airway clearance. I had read about clearing the smaller airways, then the medium, and then the larger.

I was using garlic even before I was diagnosed. I have allergies and found myself having more drainage, and the garlic helped to clear me. Grating the garlic and letting it sit for a bit before eating helps to retain and increase benefits. I also find that when I make stir fry with lots of fresh ginger, I also clear more sputum.

I have been culture negative for 19 months and was due to stop meds in April, but since I had the lung surgery to remove the upper and lower lingula, I was told to continue the meds for three more months. The pathology cultures were also negative, but they showed a stubborn lateral left lung area with thick, white mucus that I was never able to clear. This was due to the varicoid bronchiectasis in that area. Other areas of bronchiectasis are mild. My right lung is barely affected, although it does have some bronchiectasis.

I should add that I always mask at the grocery store and in public places to protect myself. I believe that this helps to keep me free from infections. I also boil my drinking water and use Lifestraw pitcher water for tooth brushing and for cleaning vegetables and fruits. I no longer garden because I believe that this was the source of my Mycobacterium intracellulare infection.

I think that meds alone cannot control MAC, since it is everywhere. I avoid showers and instead take shallow baths and wash my hair under running water while masking. Sometimes I use a nose clip and remove it periodically to refresh my breath while hair washing.

This is time consuming and inconvenient, I must admit, but if it can help to keep me off of meds and to prevent more lung damage, I will do it. I am so grateful to have been able to have surgery four weeks ago that will lower my future risks, as long as I maintain airway clearance and precautions. I recognize that I must take these precautions for the rest of my life.

Hi, @ling. I have never been to NJH, as I live in central Texas, and the logistics are difficult. However, I have been fortunate to be treated at UTHSC in Tyler, TX. I was given hands on airway clearance during my first visit there, and Dr. McShane also posted U Tube videos about airway clearance. I had read about clearing the smaller airways, then the medium, and then the larger.

I was using garlic even before I was diagnosed. I have allergies and found myself having more drainage, and the garlic helped to clear me. Grating the garlic and letting it sit for a bit before eating helps to retain and increase benefits. I also find that when I make stir fry with lots of fresh ginger, I also clear more sputum.

I have been culture negative for 19 months and was due to stop meds in April, but since I had the lung surgery to remove the upper and lower lingula, I was told to continue the meds for three more months. The pathology cultures were also negative, but they showed a stubborn lateral left lung area with thick, white mucus that I was never able to clear. This was due to the varicoid bronchiectasis in that area. Other areas of bronchiectasis are mild. My right lung is barely affected, although it does have some bronchiectasis.

I should add that I always mask at the grocery store and in public places to protect myself. I believe that this helps to keep me free from infections. I also boil my drinking water and use Lifestraw pitcher water for tooth brushing and for cleaning vegetables and fruits. I no longer garden because I believe that this was the source of my Mycobacterium intracellulare infection.

I think that meds alone cannot control MAC, since it is everywhere. I avoid showers and instead take shallow baths and wash my hair under running water while masking. Sometimes I use a nose clip and remove it periodically to refresh my breath while hair washing.

This is time consuming and inconvenient, I must admit, but if it can help to keep me off of meds and to prevent more lung damage, I will do it. I am so grateful to have been able to have surgery four weeks ago that will lower my future risks, as long as I maintain airway clearance and precautions. I recognize that I must take these precautions for the rest of my life.