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Clearing lung technique I found by accident
I just recently started going to Mayo Clinic. My Dr. Scheduled a CT Scan and some pulmonary tests on the 28Th. I had been diagnosed with bronchiecstasis and mac lung by my pulmonologist in Tallahassee but all they were addressing was the mac lung and doing nothing about clearing my lungs so the Mayo clinic was set up as a second opinion. When they put me through CT scan on my back with knees bent I noticed mucus came right to my throat. I had been nebulising with albutrol and 3% saline since my first appointment on 2/11 and although I felt good after albutrol I was still not coughing up much sputum even after flutter valve. After CT I had an hour to waste before next test I went to my car and I coughed up a huge amount of sputum. I thought wow I hope I have more for my sputum test. After my pft I sat for 20 minutes with saline and produced nothing. I told tech about what happened after CT scan and she put me in a recliner for 5 minutes and I was able to bring up sputum. I googled this and it is an actual technique that I am now using everyday with success every time. After nebulising or if you can if mucus gets in your throat Lie on your back with your hips on two pillows and knees bent. Your head should slightly off bed. Do this for 5-10 minutes and the mucus is in your lower lungs will drain to your throat. I also clap my lower lungs to get it moving more. I also put my hands over my head and inhale and hokd it several times just like CT scan. It might not work for everyone but it works every time for me with large amounts of sputum that I have not been able to bring up even with a flutter valve. Google it.
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The only thing with postural drainage is to be careful if you have GERD - I can't do it because of that, but would be an effective method for me too otherwise.
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1 ReactionThank you because there is a possibility of GERD. Jane
@poodledoc It makes my heart so glad when I hear of someone doing better because of the saline use. When I first came on this site many yrs ago; hardly anybody was doing the nebulized saline. I have repeatedly recommended its use since 2015 to our group, and now; most of us are using it. I have noticed a marked difference in the member's health over the yrs. They do not seem to be quite as sick and miserable with this mac as they used to be. Has anybody else noticed that?
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5 Reactions@windwalker ...I too started 7% Saline after seeing your posts...Thank you from the bottom of my heart and lungs!! 🙂 This was immediately after being diagnosed with MAC and Bronchiectasis about 2 years ago and told by my pulmonologist..."Absolutely no added moisture to the lung." I say this as each of us must determine what/who we need to listen to and to do our own homework. I have reduced sputum and kept healthy!! I will always be appreciative, Terri, Thank you....Kate.
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3 ReactionsWell said - I second that @alleycatkate ! Thanks to @windwalker (and you too!) & all those who have been going through this before us and are willing to share their journey & discoveries! I can't do 7% yet (hemoptysis issues), but can now mix my 3% with the 7. When I started this bronchiectatsis/NTM journey, my infectious disease doc told me..." you WILL treat. I don't have anyone that doesn't treat within at least 3 years." Well, I am now at the 3 year mark (diagnosed, but surely had it much longer), and instead of being closer to treatment, I have improved greatly in health & strength. Yes, as they tell me, I meet the "clinical" requirements for treatment, and I may have to some day, but I am ever thankful that God has blessed me with this time of no treatment - and he used this group to inform me and arm me with tools to change the direction of my journey. I have zero doubt that, without the things I have learned & implemented from everyone here, I would have fulfilled my ID doc's prediction. So thank you, ALL!!
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7 ReactionsNeat!!!!! Jane Brown
Great journey you have made! Jane Brown
shooie, I have a reflux (LPR) issue as well. I will on occasion do postural drainage after nebulizing with 7% saline, but only when I have an empty stomach and lie back in a recliner not completely flat. Maybe give it a try. Bill
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2 ReactionsI have also learned about nebulizing saline on this site and requested the prescription from my Dr. At first he gave me .9% I used that for a while. Then I requested 3%. Which is what I’m still using daily. My next appointment I think i will request 7% just to have it on hand in case I need it. I was Dx with nodules 2013 but my former pulmonologist never requested I be tested for anything else. I was Dx with MAC/MAI in 2016 after a lung surgery. Got a new Dr, got on this site and thankfully still no meds for me. I’m very grateful for all help and the excellent advice I have received here.
I use both