7% Saline Solution

I use 4ml and found that holding it in my lungs after a deep breath of the mist helps for me. Also bending forward and coughing helps to bring it up. Good luck!

Yes, expanding Sue’s thought just a bit; think of it as “keeping your lungs guessing” so they are less apt to adapt to the challenge you’re presenting to them. Don’t know if it really works that way, but it’s an intellectually satisfying way to think it.

Yes Don, my latest game with my lungs is to try to exercise indoors with my grandson IN A MASK. Talk about a challenge! We jump on our side-by-side mini-trampolines, and trying to stay safe keeps me in my 3-layer mask.

The only times I remove my mask at their home (I'm daycare Grandma) is while eating at least 6 feet from them or when outdoors, because I never know when a toddler is going to dive into my arms or lap for a hug. A month now, and so far, so good. Dreading the day my daughter needs to head into school with 1000 people around her and I have to resign my beloved "job" to be safe. There have been about 1000 new cases a day this week in MN, so maybe that will be delayed.

Seriously, though, challenging my lungs with exercise this year has increased my resting oxygen sats from the low-90's to routinely being at 97-98. Haven't tested what it looks like after exercising in a mask, but I have had to stop occasionally because I'm seeing stars...maybe I should bring the meter with me & check it.
Sue

I recently started climbing up and down a hill near my place to get cardio exercise and challenge my lungs. I find that it really helps me to cough up goop when I do my airway clearance (after exercising). Exercise is amazing to increase 02 sats and improve the pulmonary function tests.

I haven’t tried exercising with a mask; thankfully I haven’t had to because there are no other people out when I go early in the morning.

@sueinmn, here is a link to a mask that can be used during exercise. I haven't bought one yet but I"m seriously considering it. I work in my store all day with an N95 and it gets very hard. The only issue with this one is is that it is a little bit of a contraption but the little thing connected to the arm is a HEPA filter. Haven't researched it completely but someone with lung disease had bought one and gave the link. I think you have to buy extra HEPA filters for it. I'm not at copying links so I hope this works. Nan https://www.amazon.com/4WDKING-Rechargeable-Electrical-Purifying-Housework/dp/B0863G5HKX/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=mask+with+air+filter+pump&qid=1599922429&sr=8-5

Thanks, Nanette - but I'm not quite that avid at exercise. And I can't quite imagine stopping to put it on when playing with my "littles" - I just pause as necessary to catch my breath. Sometimes I fall dramatically to the floor and get swarmed with hugs and a tickles. I was just telling Don about it as yet another way to challenge & strengthen my lungs. I will forward it to my brother though, because he is struggling with using an N-95 as his lung capacity diminishes.
Sue

Hi! I’ve been reading over older posts and am learning so much. I started using the 7% saline a few weeks ago and was pleased that I was finally bringing up more sputum. My doctor said that the abuterol inhaler that I use before the nebulizer with saline helps my throat from becoming irritated. I only had a little discomfort the first day.

What kind of nebulizer and can we just buy the saline over the counter or does it have to be prescribed ?

Hi glad it’s helping what medication are you in for Mac

Any nebulizer works with the 7% saline. If you are mainly a homebody, the Pari Vios is a bit large, but they last forever. Both my primary insurance and Medicare Part B cover this very basic model. If you need a more portable one, several here may be able to chime in with recommendations, but my experience is the Pari is more durable and dispenses faster.

7% saline is available on line, but if you have insurance and/or Medicare it is significantly cheaper with a prescription - in my case, Rx copay is $10-14 for 60 vials, online it is around $40-50 for 25 - 60 vials. (I see Nebology.com currently has it on sale for $27 for 60) You will see lower-priced saline, but be sure you are ordering 7%, not .9% (the standard dose) or 3% (not as effective.) When I was unable to convince my first pulmo to prescribe 7%, I bought online, but followed my usual practice for medical items - not from eBay or 3rd party sellers - only from a medical supply place or official medical supply seller through Amazon.
Sue