Does MAC & Bronchiectasis Contribute to a High ESR Test Result?

Hi Darla! I am no doctor but I think that the MAC/bronchiectasis could affect your ESR rate. The ESR shows inflammation somewhere and I would think MAC/broch could make a difference. Good luck.

Hi Darla, Yes, the correlation between active bronchiectasis and elevated ESR was noted in studies going back over 20 years. It is an airway inflammation and ESR is an inflammatory marker.
I'm responding from my phone so I can't give you a link right now, but you can Google "bronchiectasis and ESR" and find at least one journal article and 2 links to articles from nih.gov.
Sue

Hi Sue,
Thank you for that information. I did find the articles you were referring to and suspect that is what I have such a high ESR. I had another question but wonder if I should start a new topic. I wondered how the Aerobika feels when you use it and if it affects your heart rate. I often will get tachycardia from things that vibrate my chest. Wouldn't the Aerobika do the same then? Is it vibrating your chest? Or is it very subtle? Do you use it or just the saline solution or both? Thank you again. Warmly, Darla

@beatrixflower Hi, I use the Aerobika and although you can feel the vibrations, it is VERY mild. According to my resp. therapist, when you exhale it should be slow and steady. I think that’s what makes the difference. It has never affected my heart rate, (BTW I’ve had an ablation surgery for aFib and never felt it caused palpitations).
G.

Darla - Yes, I use both. Sometimes I do them together - attaching the neb to the Aerobika, sometimes separately, using the saline first to loosen things. The flutter in the Aerobika is adjustable, @ginak has answered your question about the vibration, I hope, as I have no personal experience with tach or a-fib.
Definitely beats staying on the meds!
Sue

Dear G,
Thank you for your note and I apologize for my slow response. This is exactly what I was looking for and I found your insight very reassuring. I am nervous to try anything new because of my tachycardia and find it really helpful to find someone with a similar condition. I haven't yet opened the Aerobika because it arrived from a private address in BC. We ordered it from Amazon because Walgreens didn't have it. Maybe BC is where it is made or shipped from but I am letting it sit for a while. My doctor did also prescribe the nebulizer so I am sure I will have lots of questions about that when I work up the nerve to try it. Thank you again! Warmly, Darla

Dear Sue,
Yes, G answered my question about Aerobika. I might try to order a new one because this one arrived from a private address. Where did you get yours? I was told that Walgreens doesn't carry them. I have not yet been on meds but hope to avoid them as long as I can.
Warmly,
Darla

Hi Darla ( @beatrixflower ), I just wanted to mention that I have SVT, mitral valve prolapse, and have various arrhythmias over the years (including bigemeny, which was no fun), and the Aerobika does not bother me or cause increased palps or heart issues for me. Not that everyone is the same, but I always like to hear if people with my issues have success with something so thought I would share that!

@beatrixflower I couldn’t find the Aerobika in any stores in my area when I bought mine. I ordered it on Amazon. I don’t remember where/who it came from. That was 4 years ago. But I think if you wash well in soapy water and sterilize it, it should be ok. That’s what I usually do with anything I use for breathing anyway.
Best of luck
Gina

I got my first Aerobika from the respiratory therapist, but lost it on a trip and bought the second online from one of the neb supply companies. I didn't need an Rx. I clean mine in soapy water every day and set out to dry along with the neb cup. Once every week or two I soak 30 min in soapy water, then in alcohol to keep as clean as possible. I have been wondering whether a biweekly soak in 10% saline in distilled water might be just as effective since it kills both MAC & Pseudomonas in a petri dish.
Sue