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kate2025 avatar

Cleaning nebulizer/aerobika

MAC & Bronchiectasis | Last Active: 1 hour ago | Replies (14)

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Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor @sueinmn

@kate2025 I have lived with Bronchiectasis for going on 8 years, and must say I have relaxed a lot. I figure that as long as I don't start getting exacerbations, and my lung function stays good, I am doing enough.

Using the philosophy promoted by Dr Honda (and my pulmonologist, a BE and asthma specialist, here are my precautions:
I use filtered water, keep the hot water heater above 135f to minimize NTM growth, and take short showers with the vent fan running, but I don't fuss about boiling water or worry about a little steam from the sink or dishwasher.
I am scrupulous about cleaning our reusable water bottles, fanatical about handwashing, and strict about clean towels, dishcloths, sinks, etc. I feel like these go a long way towards staying healthy.
We also go through a lot of N95 masks - air travel, crowds, if anyone in the house is ill.
My sputum testing is "once every year or so" because I had both NTM and pseudomonas in the past, and have other health issues, use meds for asthma and rheumatoid arthritis that suppress my immune response, travel and garden a lot. Or right away if I get an exacerbation that requires steroids or antibiotics.
My CT scans are done every 2 years.

But I still believe overcleaning equipment is more stressful than truly useful, and the group(s) that support it so fervently don't have hard data to show NTM grows on equipment so quickly as to pose a real danger a real danger if it is not boiled or steamed after every use. And to be honest, a saucepan with distilled water, used on the range top, and monitored with a kitchen timer, is far less bother than sterilizer, steam bags, insta-pots and all the other things that would take over my small countertop. For me simplicity reduces stress.z

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Replies to "@kate2025 I have lived with Bronchiectasis for going on 8 years, and must say I have..."

@sueinmn You hit the nail on its head! ".....and the group(s) that support it so fervently don't have hard data to show NTM grows on equipment so quickly as to pose a real danger..."

Precisely, their studies are strictly theoretical rather than empirical. They failed step #4.

We all studied the scientific method in grade school:
1. Ask a question – What do you want to find out?
2. Do background research – Learn what is already known.
3. Form a hypothesis – Make an educated guess or prediction.
4. Test the hypothesis – Do an experiment or collect data.
5. Analyze the results – Look at what the data show.
6. Draw a conclusion – Decide whether your hypothesis was right or wrong.
7. Share results – Report what you found so others can learn or repeat it.

@sueinmn once again, thank you very much for all your insightful thoughts and wisdom. Much appreciated.