Are Nebulized saline and Aerobika beneficial?

@lmh7 Hello,,I too am a "non-producer" and had to have a bronchoscopy to obtain sputum. My doc didn't advise any lung clearance therapy for that reason but I pushed for an got a therapy pulsating vest, an Aerobika device and 7% saline to use in my nebulizer.
I have never coughed or produced after using the vest but I feel it must be "shaking things loose" so I use it 1 x day.
I've never gotten sputum from the Aerobika and seldom use it, although I hear other people have great results w this.
The greatest lung clearance/cleanse for me is using the 7% saline in my nebulizer. When I was at the doctors recently, specifically to give sputum, I couldn't bring forth anything. I had nebbed that morning and the night before and was clean and clear. I had to take sputum cups home and mail a sample in, which I did. The trick for me is to wait at least 3 days to nebulize, then I have enough to culture.
Just yesterday I told my doc I was nebulizing every other day and he asked me to please at least do it once a day to keep my lungs clean and less of a breeding ground.
I think any and all that we do, therapy-wise, can't harm us, only help. Just my thoughts.

@lmh7 Hi there. I want to introduce you to several tips on using this site that will he very helpful to you. If you scroll up to the top of this page, you will see a magnifying glass. I want you to click on it and a box will appear, Type in Nebulized Saline, and push Enter. All conversations about this topic will come up. Please try this. Another helpful tip is to type in someone's handle at the beginning of your reply. (See how I started this paragraph to you?) That way, it will go to the person you are replying to and will keep the conversation connected. Will you please let me know if you tried the magnifying tip? thank you!

I have been MAC clear for 5 years, but I have have chronic bronchiectasis. Over the past five years I have had pseudomonas several times and pneumonia and bronchitis once. I use by nebulizer with 7% saline and my aerobica every day. Some days it feels like it loosens things up, other days I don’t feel any impact. I do it everyday since it is something I can “control” to help keep my lungs clear.

@elainet Hello Elain, please read the above post. Do you nebulize with saline (sodium chloride)? That may keep you safe from re-infection.

@windwalker888 Terri, I'm coming on to ask you a question about the toby. I've done three of the four weeks now and my breathing is not good. I never experienced much trouble with it before toby but I'm only able to do short breaths now...… is this a side effect of the med? Coughing is no better and lots of phlegm. I've done only three weeks. I also had sinus surgery at Mayo's and have been doing rinses with Levaquin because pseudomonas showed in the sinus cultures also. Do you have any advice? Thanks much -- Jan

@elainet Good for you! I am not good about using my nebulizer daily since it seems to bring up nothing unless I am sick (that's usually when I use it). I've been MAC free for two years and also have bronchiectasis. I have had pneumonia twice and a few bouts of bronchitis caught from the germy grandchildren. Will be going in for a bronchoscopy soon since my latest CT scan showed some consolidation. Crossing fingers it is negative! Also, I am going to try to use my nebulizer daily even if it doesn't seem to do anything.

I nebulize daily with 7% sodium chloride. It helps moistened my lungs and keep them clear.

I’m concerned about the bacteria build up in the tube and mouth piece. My aunt has bronchiectasis and MAC. I’ve read that bacteria can build up in tubing and mouth piece. How do you clean. And do you sterilize?
Thank you
Renee

@jenblablock Hi Jen ,by some consolidation do you mean some nodules or something else, I have some new nodules but last time that happened they just disappeared. I have a ct scan in 2 weeks time. I have been nebulising saline every 2nd day as like you I dont bring up hardly anything.

I sterilize my equipment 1X a week. Wash in soapy water, let soak 15 minutes. Rinse. Sterilize in 4:1 ratio of purified water (I just boil mine) and white vinegar. I let the equipment soak for 20 minutes. Rinse in purified water. Let air dry. After every time I use my tubing, I detach any equipment, and let it run for 3-5 minutes to dry it out. And hang it up in airy place to continue drying. Tubing should be replaced every 3 months.