Hi, all, I have been reading all these posts but haven't had much time to weigh in, however, feel the need to take the time here. Re: oral thrush and inhalers - I have bronchiectasis, atypical cystic fibrosis and MAC. My CF doc prescribed an Albuteral inhaler, 2 puffs twice a day just prior to my nebulizer solution. It opens the airways to allow the mucous to be brought up more easily. Once I have completed my inhaled saline (salt thins the mucous), I use an aerobika to get the mucous out of the lower lobes of the lungs. The aerobika and the lung expander are 2 different things. If you use a "huff" cough, (like you were cleaning your glasses and fog them with your breath only more forceful), along with the aerobika, you can pull mucous out of those lower airways. That is what it's meant to do. Once done with all, brush your teeth! That is the best way to keep thrush at bay. If you aren't able to brush, at the very least, rinse your mouth with water. I have lots of mucous, so what I'm stating here may not work for everyone, but it's really important to note that the expand a lung, which I just started using (thank you, Katherine!) and the aerobika are not used for the same purpose. Linda

@lindam272, REALLY great information Linda! Thank you for taking the time! Truthfully I wish it had been months ago! For whatever illogical reason .. I was brushing my teeth BEFORE my inhalers .. hmmm .. dumb! Literally today as I was thinking it through logically I realized it was wrong! I really like your routine and explanation .( I JUST ordered the Aerobika from Ebay .. with shipping $54. As one of our members said .. when sterilized should be fine .. plus it said it was new. I will let our members know if it works out .. half the cost anywhere else.) I plan to add the Aerobika to my routine .. I liked your explanation that it gets the sputum out of our LOWER lobes!

With your permission I am adding to my File Cabinet for new member:
2. use an Aerobika device . Use a "huff" cough, (like you were cleaning your glasses and fog them with your breath only more forceful), along with the Aerobika, you can pull mucous out of those lower airways.

You are also reminding me to use my Expander to exercise my lungs! Thanks again Linda for a GREAT post! Katherine

You are so welcome. You absolutely can share anything you want that I post. It's my prayer that my experience can help someone else. Thank you for all that you do!! Linda

Katherine, Bless you for finding this article about the impending new vaccine for shingles. I will be interested in the research.....what makes this " better" than the current one.....fewer getting shingles or immunity lasting longer?? The main focus seemed to be on future finanancial gains for the manufactering company....we shall see. Terrid

@tdrell Terri, more interesting info on shingles:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-10-24/glaxo-seeks-approval-in-u-s-for-experimental-shingles-vaccine
* A study published last month in the New England Journal of Medicine found that Glaxo’s vaccine remained effective for at least four years, unlike Merck’s Zostavax, which loses efficacy over time.
* Zostavax Efficacy Zostavax is approved for use in the U.S. in people aged 50 and over, based on a large study that found the vaccine reduced the risk of shingles by about 70 percent. In people over 60, the vaccine’s efficacy wanes within five years of vaccination, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Zostavax Efficacy Zostavax is approved for use in the U.S. in people aged 50 and over, based on a large study that found the vaccine reduced the risk of shingles by about 70 percent. In people over 60, the vaccine’s efficacy wanes within five years of vaccination, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
ALSO TESTING ONE CALLED SHINGRIX: Because Shingrix is made of a protein from the surface of the varicella zoster virus, and not a live version of the virus, Glaxo is testing it in patients with blood cancers, HIV and transplant patients, to find out whether it can protect people with compromised immune systems against shingles. Generally live vaccines like Merck’s Zostavax are not used in immune-compromised patients.
Hugs! Katherine

Katherine...thanks for all your research on shingles vaccines! so it wanes after 5 yeats.....i had had the shot 9 years before I had a shingles outbreak!! Terrid

Katherine, so happy you got the Aerobika. It is really helpful getting the "gunk" out without too much work. I am also going to order another " toy" called the RC Coronet. I watch cystic fibrosis videos on you tube and one young man has one that explains the correct way to use the acupello, Aerobika and his favorite " clearer" is this RC Coronet. The video is called What is the best airway clearance method for cystic fibrosis and it is presented by Larry Brian. He has a number of educational videos. I realize we fortunately do not have cystic fibrosis, but I often feel that bronchiectasis is " mini" cystic fibrosis. Have a great day all. Mary jo

@maryjo2sell Maryjo, what a GREAT idea! When I receive my Aerobika I am absolutely going to watch that youtube video AND with your permission I am going to add this to my "File Cabinet' to let newcomers know about it! We are helping each other day by day! We may not have CF .. but our lung issues are similar enough that it is wonderful that you found this. Funny .. but I have learned how to do so many things from youtube .. didn't even THINK of checking there for something like this .. thanks! In the future I may check out the RC Cornet .. let us know how it works for you! Hugs! Katherine

Airway Clearance Methods .. : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn5o5AgD9m0

<br><br><br><br><br>At age 58, I got my shingles vaccine last month. They went ahead and gave <br>it to me under the age of 60, because you can never have one after a lung <br>transplant. I am glad I got one because I have two friends under age 60 that got <br>shingles.  -Terri M.<br> <br><br>

@windwalker, that is a great idea Terri! Hugs! Katherine