No end of things to ponder.

@thumperguy I try to bring up mucus a few times a day. Sometimes it is clear, sometimes it is yellow (usually yellow first thing in the morning). I do this on purpose so I know I have not kept the excess mucus inside my lungs to provide sanctuary for bacteria. But I have not pondered its existence nor its colors. My take on it: as long as I don't have other symptoms that interferes with my normal daily living, I do not worry or even wonder about it. So far I have no symptoms that warrant concern and I'm as active as I want to be without any hindrance. So that is good enough for me.

@thumperguy Hi Don - Celebrate the clear stuff!
Just had this discussion with my new pulmonologist yesterday. I always thought that, like with sinus drainage, clear mucus was "go", yellow was "caution" - pay attention to your breathing, lungs, general health and green/brown/bloody was "stop" - figure out what's going on. She liked that way of assessing, and was happy to hear my mucus has changed from yellow to clear on the Big 3 (18 months) and 7% saline. She pushed me to be more stringent about using the saline at least daily (I tend to slack off when I feel good) - she would prefer twice.
Another thing, if you are introducing saline or other meds via neb, you are diluting the mucus so much that even if it has a slight color, it is likely less noticeable.
Sue

This is exactly what my pulmonologist told me. So......I am now less concerned with the color of my mucus. One less thing to stress over!

My doctor said that clear is normal and the yellow is made up of neutrophils, enzymes and antibodies sent by my body to fight the disease. It gets caught in my deformed bronchiectasis airways and the best thing is to cough it up.

I also, usually have clear to yellow mucus when doing my lung clearance. Every once in a while slightly green. I notice that usually happens if I eat peanut butter, nuts or a lot of bread products. So I think the same thing about the different colors. But right now, unfortunately, I had some hemoptysis yesterday. So I’m feeling a bit anxious today. Went to my Dr, had an x-ray, no changes since last year. So that’s good, and I know It is a symptom of bronchiectasis, but, it still worries me a little. It hasn’t happened to me like that since the first time 3 years ago. Hoping it doesn’t happen again.

@thumperguy Hi there. I am always proud of myself when the mucous I cough up is clear. Mine usual is until I do my bi-monthly treatment of nebulized tobramycin. I started on the Toby on Dec 1. It caused me much hacking and on about the 4th day; the mucous coming up was green. So, I am wondering why it would turn green after starting on an antibiotic. My guess is, is that it is bringing stuff up from deeper down. To my relief, today is the first day that it is back to clear. My husband had to remind me that every time I start on the toby, it starts out bad but ends up great. My take on the colors of mucous for me is that yellow means lungs are getting dirty, be diligent with the saline. Green (for me) means danger of infection coming on.

@ginak I have had a few lots of hemoptysis, quite scary, but it has gone for quite some time inbetween episodes and I have still tested negitive for MAC after.

I can imagine how horrifying it must be to cough up blood. That, along with cavities are my biggest fears. I'm glad your x ray didn't show anything new going on but I'm so sorry this happened to you.

Coughing up blood is so scary. Four times over three years each time with to ER. They didn’t seem concern or my pulmonary doctor. Just goes with having our conditions

Thanks Sue, your observations are useful. I’ll cheer you on toward the goal of twice a day... every day. Don