Advice about airway clearance devices

Posted by dulwich @dulwich, Apr 8, 2019

I'm newly diagnosed with bronchiectasis and MAC, based on CT findings and bronchoscopy. No symptoms yet and not bringing up much mucus after 6 weeks of airway clearance with nebulizer and acapella, although adding some chest percussion recently might be helping. CT scan to review whether this is working planned after 6 months. The philosophy seems to start with the simplest treatment, even if it is possibly not that effective, but I'd like to get the gunk out of there the most effective way possible. I'm willing to invest more in time or resources if that would be useful. Does anyone have opinions or experience about the Aerobika versus Acapella and has anyone used the Vibralung, which uses soundwaves to break up mucus? Are any of you non CF patients using mucolytics and if so, which?
Thanks for any advice

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the MAC & Bronchiectasis Support Group.

Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Apr 16, 2019

@danielad- Thank yo Dee. How are you feeling?

Dee | @danielad | Apr 16, 2019

@merpreb -- Hi Merry! Thanks for asking; I am feeling better -- I have been more diligent in the use of the meds, as you recommended!!! 🙂
--Dee

heathert | @heathert | Apr 16, 2019

@daniallad that is great to hear that you are feeling better!

Dee | @danielad | Apr 16, 2019

In reply to @heathert "@daniallad that is great to hear that you are feeling better!" + (show)

Hi @heathert -- Thank you! How are you doing?
-- Dee

rivert | @rivert | Jan 9, 2023

In reply to @windwalker "@soflo, I could be wrong, but I don't think levalbuterol has a steroid in it. I..." + (show)

Levalbuterol is indeed not a steroid. It is a purified form of Albuterol, where only one isomer is isolated from Albuterol. I get horrible headaches from Albuterol but essentially no headache from Levalbuterol. That is because there is twice as much material in a dose of Albuterol, with 1/2 being inactive for helping your lungs. However, the double amount of chemical in Albuterol ends up causing headache.
Hope this helps.

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jan 9, 2023

In reply to @rivert "Levalbuterol is indeed not a steroid. It is a purified form of Albuterol, where only one..." + (show)

Good morning @rivert. I see that you are new to Mayo Connect, thanks for joining us.

I have a little hint for you when it comes to replying to posts. This particular discussion is pretty old and the last activity was in 2019, so likely the posters may not be active here any longer. To find the most recent discussions on a topic, you can go to the main page of the group, in this case "MAC & Bronchiectasis" The most recently active threads are shown first, and the right-most column shows the last time active.

What led you to Mayo Connect?
Sue

crepass | @crepass | Jan 10, 2023

In reply to @elainet "I transitioned to the Aerobika from the Accapella at least 2 years ago. I am not..." + (show)

I started with the aerobika 2 years ago, and am still using it as well. When I began the transition to 7% Saline ( I was using the pari vios green machine with sprint cup) it was too harsh to do at the same time. Now that I am using the Innospire Go, it is a non-issue (it cannot connect to aerobika.