Bronchiectasis

@sueinmn thank you , but where are you seeing this info? I didn’t see it anywhere on the Amazon site, so I just looked at their website , and this is what I saw..
“May 2024, we have transitioned to using compostable tea bags that are entirely free from microplastics. To verify if your product is non-GMO and microplastic-free, please provide us with the product and lot number.”
I’m a daily, morning tea drinker . I went through this process trying to find bags without plastics , as they use them a lot to keep the bags or seems together . Whenever I would email what looked like a good company , their responses were not good , and often skirted the question. So I’m a little jaded lol. It looks like you have to contact the company with your lot number to confirm . Did you see something different ?

@maryrn7 Have you been tested for the other opportunistic infections that often accompany Bronchiectasis - the most common are Non-tuberucular Mycobacteria (NTM/MAC) or Pseudomonas?

Please study up on Bronchiectasis and why we do airway clearance. Here is an older but excellent video from on of the experts in the field:

@gerry26 thank you . I looked them up, and they don’t mention anything about not using microplastics in the bags.

@sueinmn Thank you for sharing this presentation as I have learned SO much. I am newly diagnosed with bronchiectasis and this site, individual questions, comments and topics are insightful and beyond helpful. Thank you!

@cholash No, that's what I saw. Are you saying they didn't respond to you when you asked directly? IMHO if you buy from a local retailer it is likely they do not have 2yo inventory on their shelves. The source and age of online products can be a little more murky.

@cholash Hi, I Googled the company before I purchased my first box. Unbleached, plant based (abaca) and heat sealed without any chemicals. No harmful chemicals in the tea bags or tea.

@gerry26 Hi. I emailed the company , and they use PLA’s to seal the bags. I left a somewhat long comment in this thread to Sue regarding PlA’s, if you want to give it a look.

@cholash This is new information for me. If you are willing to look for further research, I will gladly look at it, because PLA is also one of the primary materials used in 3D printing, which is becoming ubiquitous.

In the meanwhile, why not but bulk Mullein tea and steep it in unbleached muslin bags that close with a drawstring? Or an old-fashioned metal tea ball? Both of these have the advantage of being reusable. I have made my own in the past to be sure of the material, but the last ones my husband ordered clearly had cotton draswstrings as well.

@alicebrew1
I have not been diagnosed with haemophilus B, nor any pathogen. Cultures x 2. Nothing grew.
Bronchoscopy- confirmed Bronchietasis and cultures for affected area of lung sent. Again, negative.
Haemophious B, is a very common colonizer and can cause exacerbations in bronchietasis, driving inflammation, impairs mucous clearance and may create a cycle of infections and damage.
It is a treatment challenge.
As mentioned by Sue cultures and airway clearance as very important.

1. Have you been cultured for other pathogens. Pseudomonas, Staph aureus, Non-Tuberculosis Mycobacteria NTM- Can be present and missed by standard cultures, Resistant to azithromycin.
And several others- FUNGI, Legionella, Moraxella, Klepsiella.

3. Have they prescribed a inhaler?
4. Or a nebulizer - fine mist to thin mucous, ease coughing, open airways, improve breathing by directly targeting lung.

5. Have you had a PFT? Help determine lung function, severity of bronchietasis and target best treatment options.

6. Are your immunizations up to date: Covid, Flu, Pneumonia, RSV? Check with pulmonologist for recommendations (based on history, age, vaccines).

Hope I have been helpful.

Had my first session at the Salt Room. I spent 45 minutes inhaling tiny salt particles into my lungs and nose in a very soothing atmosphere. It felt good. Before I got out of the parking lot, I got a little up and haven't had to blow my nose today. Going to add this to my maintenance. I do salt water gargle and sodium chloride nebulizer. Shouldn't use nebulizer if I've been at the Salt Room. Drinking Mullein tea.