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Breathing techniques?
Does anyone practice different breathing techniques, either when nebulizing or as a way to open up their lungs? People who practice yoga seem to know a lot about breathing to open up different parts of the lungs.
On my last CT, my lower lobes were clear but (for the first time) I had a new nodule/glob of mucus in one of my upper lobes. My respirologist suggested additional ways to clear my upper lungs but I didn’t think of breathing techniques until later that day.
I had been really focusing on deep breathing to clear my lower lobes when I was nebulizing and that apparently has helped but that could have been at the expense of my upper lobes? I’m not sure if I was not expanding my upper lobes enough and wonder if anyone does this when nebulizing (or when not nebulizing)?
I am doing some of my own research but any suggestions would be appreciated.
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Hi Kathyhg, could you explain how you cleared lower lobe by doing deep breathing? I always have lower lobe problems and could not get cleared.
Thanks,
Sue
Maybe it was coincidental, or by luck, but I really tried to expand my lower lungs when I was nebulizing - it might be called diaphragmatic breathing/rib stretch but it has been years since I did yoga. I thought this would help to open up the lower part of my lungs more and help the saline mist to do its job.
Perhaps I should get back to yoga…
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1 ReactionI would love to hear any tips on breathing techniques, especially yoga. I am unable to deep breath when I neb because of severe throat irritation
What are you using in the neb? Do you know what is causing the severe throat irritation?
I too find it difficult to breathe deeply while nebbing - it generally causes me to cough, but since that is the point of the 7% saline, I just figured it was normal.
When I experience difficulty taking deep breaths, I sit or lie down and do some belly breathing or diaphragmatic breathing - there are a lot of examples on the internet. I cannot speak to specific yoga breathing techniques, because I am not a regular practioner.
Sue
Hi, I try to imagine reaching parts of my lungs that have sputum. Not sure of this will help but some techniques that I use are. One breath of fire, basically rapid breathing out as fast as you can for a minute. 2. huffing in a yoga like position that is Im on my knees and elbows looking down and huffing. 3 an in place jog again huffing and swing my arms to the sides and same thing doing jumping jacks. 4 I got from a book on breathing. Breath in 5 breaths in and 5 breaths out with a pause in between. This author suggest that we regularly breath in and out with 5 counts for longer breaths. I like to think that we are trying to exercise our lungs and getting air in and out. Hope this will help.
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2 ReactionsI neb with albuterol and seven percent saline. I have reflux and doc increased dose to address throat/discomfort. Also told to take a break from neb and use hand held device. I just went back to neb as I was not clearing with this other plan. Feeling over medicated with reflux meds, hopefully this won’t be for long. Thanks for u tube tip. Just found a few decent ones
Helene
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1 ReactionI'm unclear here. Are you implying that your nebulizer treatment is different from "hand held device"? Do you also mean different meds in the two? Maybe I'm unclear as terminology may be different for the same things. Thx. And yes, reflux can make your throat irritated and cause you to cough - hope that your reflux meds work quickly.
By hand held I meant the Aerobika. I have asked my PCP to become involved and help …have pulmonologist and GI doc talk. Primary was very supportive and has a call into both
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1 ReactionMy Aerobika is attached to a nebulizer…but it can be used without the nebulizer to benefit from the vibratory exercise also (without saline).
Regina
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1 ReactionWanted to add that after my walks and yoga and some in place running and inversions with yoga, I expel a goopy sputum like an awful glue. Maybe a tea spoon at various stages. Then it begins to clear. This I think must come from my lungs? Then I begin my nebulizing. First with a saline 3% and then with budesonide, .05. Sort of a clean up flush that is mostly clear white bubbles. Then I am usually clear till late in the day. I have been doing this for 6.5 months now.
I do have MAC. Thankfully trying to learn from these group discussions. Im 77 yrs old, H