1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

Clearing lung technique I found by accident

Posted by wal6578 @wal6578, Mar 3, 2020

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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Jennifer | @megan123 | Mar 9, 2020
In reply to @windwalker "@poodledoc It makes my heart so glad when I hear of someone doing better because of..." + (show)
@windwalker

@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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Hi Terry...I have been able to keep my psedomonas at a distance along with Colistin...the 7 percent saline and consistency with airway clearing have kept me much healthier, thanks to your advice🙏💕

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suenfl | @suenfl | Mar 9, 2020

I am also in Tallahassee. I have MAC and bronchiectasis. Had quad bypass Oct 2015. Things went terribly wrong in ICU, had to go back to OR. It is thought I caught MAC then. Found out last week I have an 80% blockage in one of those arteries. My Dr just ordered me a thumper vest and 3% saline. Ask for 7%. Sue T

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rmason | @rmason | Mar 9, 2020
In reply to @shooei "Well said - I second that @alleycatkate ! Thanks to @windwalker (and you too!) & all..." + (show)
@shooei

Well 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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@shooei -Interesting that you are not able to use the 7% saline due to hemoptysis- I too have tried it a few times and ended up coughing up blood again! I was advised to stop-I have been using the Aerobika with some success. My doc said he may want me to try 3% saline down the road.
I too appreciate everyone’s input on this site.

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thumperguy | @thumperguy | May 4, 2021
In reply to @macjane "Thank you because there is a possibility of GERD. Jane" + (show)
@macjane

Thank you because there is a possibility of GERD. Jane

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Eager to try this technique.

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thumperguy | @thumperguy | May 6, 2021
In reply to @poodledoc "Marilynk I stopped getting my teeth cleaned for over a year because i knew I would..." + (show)
@poodledoc

Marilynk I stopped getting my teeth cleaned for over a year because i knew I would cough a lot, very embarrassing, but have recently started back. I only use 7% saline, works well for me.

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This discussion prompts memories of 2009-2010, when bronchiecstasis first came to dwell; a time when the slightest departure from bolt upright posture set loose a paroxysm of coughing, spitting, and probably cussing. Don

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thomason | @thomason | May 6, 2021

Dear @wal6578, Thanks for the great tip on getting that impossible sputum moving.

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | May 6, 2021

Wow, I was congested today and tried this. Worked great. I love Mayo Connect - we are able to teach one another so much.
Sue

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hauoli | @halford | May 7, 2021

thanks. I have also found something like what you do. After a morning walk and a yoga, especially inversions my mucus starts to loosen. So I do an inplace run and do this huffing. Then Ill do jumping jacks and just bounce up and down and skipping rope with no rope and I find that the phlegm will loosen in the process. Going back and forth to spit it up, at first nasty stuff and then it starts to clear and by then, Im ready for a break. Ill have some breakfast and after that nebulize and I feel pretty clear. Roughly 6am to 11. Usually clear till 4pm and prepare dinner, nebulize, bed. Get up and start all over again!

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poodledoc | @poodledoc | May 9, 2021

Daily airway clearance is a huge deal for all of us that have bronchiectasis and maybe lung infections as well. I do the following every day, Nebulize with 7% saline twice daily. Mucinex and a NAC supplement early every morning. Aerobika device 3-4 times throughout the day and then the biggie, usually between 11:00 AM and 12:00 noon (this timing works best for me) lying on my back with head lower than hips I proceed to do manual chest percussion (front by me, back by my wife) I will almost immediately feel sputum coming up then after doing a series of huff coughing and regular coughing a predictable amount of sputum is coughed up. I will then usually be cough free until the next daily time for the postural drainage, chest percussion and huffing. My last visit in April to Mayo Clinic in FL was a good one. Negative sputum sample and no progression on the chest CT scan. No antibiotics for 6 months now. I also do some type of exercise every day that gets my heart rate and respirations elevated. Bill

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beatrixflower | @beatrixflower | May 9, 2021

Hi, I was excited to try this and used it today but coughed up blood. Has that happend to others that have tried this method? I have created a separate post on this topic but wanted to add my question here also. Thank you.

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