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Can anyone give me tips on collecting a sputum sample for culture
MAC & Bronchiectasis | Last Active: Nov 19 7:46am | Replies (26)Comment receiving replies
@sharonednaramsey Thanks for your reply. I do not use nebulizers at all. I have just the puff albuterol. I also have a flutter devise that has never helped at all. I have used mucinex but not in trying to get sputum. I will try to use all of the things I have and see if that helps as I have never done before and see what happens. Thanks
Elaine K
Replies to "@sharonednaramsey Thanks for your reply. I do not use nebulizers at all. I have just the..."
@laneyk You could try NAC as well. It thins out the mucus and many people on this site use it. I use 600 mg a day, taken after breakfast.
Some find a warm drink of tea and of course drinking enough water is typically a must.
Postural drainage can help too if you haven’t tried it. Use gravity to help drain the mucus so you can cough it up.
You said MAC has returned. Depending on where the Bronchiectasis is located in your lungs (if you have this) , you may find lying on your back with a pillow under your hips helps. Or lie on your side with your arm raised up.
Use breathing techniques (that are discussed in other threads of conversation on this site) to lead into a huff cough to dislodge the mucus.
You can also find videos on YouTube and on this site that are helpful.
Hope it helps.
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@laneyk I use the Aerobika nebulizer with 7% saline twice per day. The biggest inconvenience is sterilizing-which is a process. When I was diagnosed with MABC, my pulm Dr immediately got me nebulizing and wrote scripts for the saline. It not only helps produce sputum, it helps clear your airways. Clearing your airways can reduce AFB counts. I have read 2 research studies that showed at least 25% of people cleared NTM by nebulizing with 7% twice daily, the down side is the study size was only 25, so not highly conclusive. Univ of Portland is or will be studying this with 100 participants with MAC and not on the big 3. I believe the study was to start in 2025. it will be interesting to see the results.