7% Saline Solution

I ask my Dr for saline and he said no! I am really upset. I tried the "Big 3" back in July 2017, right after my diagnosis. Took them for 3 1/2 months...too sick to take care of myself. I can't believe he would be unwilling to give me saline. He also said no to the vest. Other than coughing, usually productive, I have no symptoms. My oxygen stays 97%-98%. I am on no meds, except for medical cannabis. I did have a pseudomonis in Dec 2018, after having day surgery to have my gallbladder out. That was my last hospitalization. Can anyone send me links to research articles that I can show this Dr. He wants me to go back on Big 3...no way!

I was able to buy 0.09 from Amazon w/o Rx. and although I prefer 7% a research report on this board recently indicated 0.09% is as good as higher concentrations. Depends on how upfront you feel you need to be with your reluctant doc.

@thumperguy The report posted by @rits in Two Bits of Good News (https://cdn.prod-carehubs.net/n1/748e8fe697af5de8/uploads/2020/05/Hypertonic-Saline-versus-normal-saline-in-Bronchiectasis.pdf ) states 0.9% is as good as 6% to help clear mucus for people with bronchiectasis. It didn't deal with MAC. Only 7% saline has the potential to keep MAC under control because MAC can grow in lesser salinities.

I agree 100%. Thanks for explaining it so well. Although, I am surprised that Thumper has gone back to .9% because he had such a difference in the amount he brought up when using 7%.

Rits,I think I was just making an observation. I haven't "gone back" to the weak stuff. I had stocked up on 0.09% before I discovered 7%. I use it on cotton pads to combat itchy eyes. I'm gettin' so old nothin' works right any more. But I'm stickin' with 7% for the lungs and so far as I know I can only get it by Rx.

Does the 9% on itchy eyes help? I have blepharitis (inflamed eyelids) and dry eye. The ophthalmologist said to use artificial tears and warm compresses. I"m going to try the 9%. Thanks!

Rits, I think you mean 0.9% NOT 9% Just wanted to be 100% sure. Bill

Does the 9% on itchy eyes help? I have blepharitis (inflamed eyelids) and dry eye. The ophthalmologist said to use artificial tears and warm compresses. I"m going to try the 9%. Thanks!

Rits, My ophthalmologist suggested Hypochlor which is sprayed on a cotton patch and gently applied to the eyelid. Hypochlor is a saline solution which I think is essentially an eyelid cleaner/disinfectant. As it happened this occurred in the same time-frame when I was switching from 0.09 to 7% saline for Bronch/Mac resulting in me having quantity of unused 0.09. vials. So, thinks me, I'll just use my surplus 0.09 saline in lieu of the Hypochlor (saline) . I think the cost difference is minimal so going forward I'll decide which to use more based on convenience of purchase rather than significant cost difference. Since I can buy the vials from Amazon very conveniently I'll likely continue doing it that way. Nothing to do with lung problems I use artificial tears for dry eyes through the night time hours along with warm (hot) compressed too; mainly in the morning as a "wake-up" routine. Geez, wonder what I could accomplish if I didn't have all this stuff to worry about? LOL Don

@thumperguy The report posted by @rits in Two Bits of Good News (https://cdn.prod-carehubs.net/n1/748e8fe697af5de8/uploads/2020/05/Hypertonic-Saline-versus-normal-saline-in-Bronchiectasis.pdf ) states 0.9% is as good as 6% to help clear mucus for people with bronchiectasis. It didn't deal with MAC. Only 7% saline has the potential to keep MAC under control because MAC can grow in lesser salinities.