Connect
Airway clearance and how I feel throughout the day
Hi everyone,
I know it might be a diffuse question, but let me try.
My pulmonologist told me if I do the airway clearance correctly. I
should feel clear of mucus during the day. I spend almost 30 minutes
doing it (flutter + autogenic drainage in the morning and evening). But throughout the day, I have to constantly clear out mucus most days. I am wondering what your experience is, is it normal for you? Maybe I am too sensitive about it.
Your experience is greatly appreciated.
Many thanks!
Ling
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the MAC & Bronchiectasis Support Group.
Connect
Contextually, the C means airway clearance.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI have never had a symptom of Bronch. Only with a CT scan do I know that something is wrong. I do airway clearance twice a day and bring up enough mucus to actually see about once a week. Is this normal? Am I doing it wrong?
I’ve never know for sure. I usually stop when I’m either too exhausted to go on or when I do i feel like nothing more is making a gurgling or wheezing noise when I huff and I know there’s nothing else that will come up.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionIt's impossible to clear "all the mucus" since we need mucus in our lungs to live. With bronchiectasis we aim to expel the "extra" built up, accumulated mucus (called phlegm, when expelled it's called sputum). Removing the extra, trapped phlegm helps us to breathe more easily, rid bacteria and prevent infection. Phlegm gets trapped in dilated, floppy portions of our lung tubes wherever the bronchiectasis is. For me, the first several huffs of the day are thicker, have more color but after 20-30 minutes of airway clearance the sputum appears less in volume and a lighter color. Your mileage may vary! This is why bronchiectasis is considered a heterogeneous (diverse) disease.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionThank you so much for the helpful tips and resources! I'll check out Dr Falkinham and Bololo.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionEveryone has a different "normal". Today mine was perhaps a half teaspoon of mucus - after my inhaler & 7% saline. Other days there may be none or a tablespoon. When I get a lung infection, it seems I cough and spit all day long.
Don't try too hard - you can actually irritate your lungs and airways, which is the last thing you want.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsHi Ling. I too find clearing necessary most days throughout the day and carry a pocket small flexible container to hold my sputum. Wondering if this works for others. Hope this helps.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reactioncmb1, thanks for your input. In the past two years after I posted this message, lots of changes happened with my mucus pattern.
I learned in the past two years that my own mucus produces changes from day to day. But normally I need to cough to get the mucus out after it culminates for a while. I do wonder since our body produces mucus all day long, it seems it would be normal that we need to constantly get it out, but it is always like that.
What I personally find is that the more thorough my nebulzing and airway clearance session is, the rest of the day remains less mucus productive. Then later in the day the second session produces more mucus that has built up. I do find my body is in the habit of a build up and clearing of it at certain times of the day.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionWould love to understand this better: you pick up the Aerobika 13 times during the entire day? And do ten breaths each time? How often do you switch your or sterilize your Aerobika(s)?