@katemn
BIG Hug received!
 

Terri - That is awesome and so encouraging! It's good to know that we can make improvements in our lung function. I would be happy for any amount of improvement! I was doing saline treatments 2x a day and cut back to once a day a couple of months ago as the amount of mucous was reduced from taking the antibiotics; however, I think I should probably do an afternoon treatment just to keep things cleaned out better. You have given me motivation to do that. Thanks so much for sharing! Linda M

@lindam272 Hi
Linda! I did ask my Dr about continuing the saline, even twice daily; even
though I have zero mucous and the saline doesn't cause anything to cough up. He
said absolutely YES. Why would we want to stop or cut back on what is keeping
the lungs clean? I had read years ago before it was used in the states; that
France was using it with great success.
 

@windwalker Terri M, I'm glad you guys are bring this up... my instruction from Mayo & in coordination with my home PCP & Pulm, was to do Saline neb AM & PM. Folllowed by a dueo neb (Xopenoex & Ipatropium Bromide) AM & PM but ADD a MID-DAY one with a dueo neb followed by Budesonide. (That comes out to almost 1 1/2 hr - 2 hours of time doing nebs per day!) My local pulm Dr (who really has NO clue with what to do for me!!!!!!) said to me at my the last appointment, "if you don't clear mucg mucous with the nebs, stop doing them". I since then have not been diligent to sticking with the prescribed treatment. After reading these posts, I'm going to re-start the treatment regime. I also used to spend 1 hour a day with the Smart Vest but it really didn't help loosen up/mobilize any secretions for me so I stopped (Dr aware).
Best, Jen

Hi I am doing saline and albuterol nebulizer, starting today. But my doc said only have to do 20 minutes, then exercise half hour. I was so encouraged reading your (windwalker) about improved lung function. Do you have albuteral with saline?

@jentaylor Jen,
every other month when I am on the Tobramycin, my breathing treatments come to 4
hours a day! (2 hours a day the other off months) It is time consuming, so
I have my nebulizer stationed next to my computer desk. I use my neb time to
answer e-mails and chat with all of you. It makes good use of time.
    
I told my Dr that the saline treatment wasn't bringing anything up. It is
because my lungs are crystal clear at the moment (another way I shocked my Doc
last Tues). He said it is important to continue the saline anyway. It also acts
as a preventative, it thins the mucous. When the mucous is thin, there is less
thick, sticky stuff for the MAC and other bugs to breed in. Stay the course
Girlfriend! -Terri M.
 

@unicorn No Crista, I do not use Albuterol anymore. My Dr replaced it with
Levabuterol, another airway opener. Had to switch because of my heart. The
albuterol would make it race and sometimes it would not stop. Plus it made me so
jittery. I neb the Levabuterol first, then the saline right behind it. I suppose
I could combine the two together and get my treatment done quicker. Will have to
ask the pharmacist if that is ok. I hope it is - thanks for the
tip!
 

Dear All, I have a confession to make. I "preach" Due Diligence to all of you .. but in truth I have taken the easy way out in my own life since 2014 when I was told I was "stable" from thirty months of 4-5 antibiotics taken for MAC. I was just plain tired of it all after 30 months of it! Not checking into what I should/should not continue to do was partly my own doing .. but MOSTLY because NO doctor/Pulmonologist EDUCATED me to the importance of daily saline inhalation after my MAC treatment! ZERO .. not ONE doctor .. ONE TIME! It is MY opinion THIS is the reason my lungs became a breeding ground for NOT ONE but THREE bacteria and I became SO sick February 2017. My lungs had become a perfect breeding ground for further bacteria "infestation" since 2014.

Why am I telling you this? BECAUSE of our wonderful Forum posts below which I have pasted In my current File Cabinet:

SALINE NEBULIZED TREATMENTS Member @windwalker Terri: Told my Dr that the saline treatment wasn't bringing anything up. It is because my lungs are crystal clear at the moment. He said it is STILL important to continue the saline inhalation anyway. WHY? Because it acts as a preventative, it thins the mucous. When the mucous is thin, there is less thick, sticky stuff for the MAC and other bugs to breed in. From @windwalker Terri .. First, I use my Inhaler, (to OPEN my lungs, then I use the saline to cleanse out the lungs. The saline moistens your lungs to help thin out the mucous, making it easier to cough up. Plus, it irritates the lungs a little to make you cough, it also makes for a salty environment which germs do not like to set up house in.

WHY AM POSTING THIS? I am posting this to ALSO ALERT YOU .. do NOT whine to your doctor as I did after my 1st Tobramycin cycle .. NOT wanting to do the saline inhalation I whined to my doctor! Below is the EXACT reply I received. I am posting it because I want EVERYONE to realize WE ON THIS FORUM are each other's BEST source of information .. based on EXPERIENCE and from the opinions of doctors all over the NATION! (as in @windwalker Terri)

Replied - 05/26/2017 11:10 AM
Hi Katherine,

Question 1: Inhaled saline can make people feel better but does not necessarily prevent exacerbations. If you are not feeling that it helps clear mucus or reduce your coughing (after treatment), then you can use it as needed. I understand that this is a lot of time with your nebulizer so you can certainly see how you feel with a break from the treatment. You can always add it back.

Please DO CONTINUE WITH THE SALINE 2X A DAY SALINE INHALATION! I personally have seen the light .. I will be doing my 2x a day saline inhalation for the rest of my life! Thank you @windwalker Terri .. you are indeed an inspiration with your 44% lung function and tremendous spirit! Hugs to all! Katherine

@katemn thank
you saving my post and sharing it. Good lung hygiene is critical.
 

Hi, All ---dis the saline a prescription? or something you can get over the counter? Neither my pulm doc nor my ID doc has said anything about it. Thanks - Barb S