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Bronchiectasis what are the stages and symptoms
I was diagnosed with bronchiectasis about the time that Covid hit the US and the pulmonologist are overworked, so I have lots of unanswered questions. I also am taking Bisoprolol Fumarate 2.5 mg (a beta blocker) for heart issues. This is the 3rd cardiac med that has been prescribed in hopes of finding something that works with heart and does not interact with pulmonary meds.
Is there away to shorten the time of treatment?
1. Will I have to spend 3 hours 2 X a day for the rest of my life with nebulizer treatments, smart vest, gargles and nasal washes?
2. Is there anyway to shorten the time of nebulizer. (I have been prescribed (a) Levalbuterol which I can not use because it makes breathing more difficult (b) Sodium Chloride 7% (c) Budesonide all by nebulizer.
I use Aerobika and Smart Vest at intervals during nebulizer treatment.
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That's a lot of questions! Let's start at the beginning with a welcome to Mayo Connect and to our group of extremely knowledgeable and helpful MAC & Bronchiectasis group members.
First, I too was on a beta blocker for heart rhythm issues, and had to stop it because it rendered my asthma meds ineffective. My PCP and her med specialist/pharm doc could not find any others that worked for me, so I just live with it.
Second, that's a lot of treatments for bronchiectasis unless you have other issues. Most of us neb and use either a Smart Vest or Aerobika. I'm not sure how many also do nasal washes & gargling - what was the explanation for needing these? My treatment is 7% saline + Aerobika once a day, unless in an exacerbation. Then it is twice a day + Duoneb (budosenide + albuterol.) Neb plus airway clearance takes less than 30 minutes, while I read email and the newspaper.
Can you tell us a little more about what led to your diagnosis (symptoms, tests, etc) and whether you have been tested for any infections in conjunction with the Bronchiectasis? Were you diagnosed with any other issues at the same time? You mentioned you do have a heart problem, but what about asthma, GERD, sinusitis, cough, shortness of breath...
Finally, are you seeing a pulmonologist who is experienced in treating bronchiectasis?
Once we know more about your symptoms and other conditions, I'm sure you will hear lots of suggestions. In the meantime, there is a lot of information available in this discussion that may help you in this journey.
Sue
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5 ReactionsI typed a detail history, labs, meds, etc, and was unable to post it . (Lost). I clicked reply and then started typing but it did not go.. What am I doing wrong
What kind of compressor do you use? I use a Pari VIOS green and it takes about an hour to nebulize, twice a day. I read, watch TV, play scrabble online, etc but sometimes feel like the time it takes takes over my life.
I am sorry but unsure how to start a new post. I just received a Volara nebulizing machine with instruction from the respiratory therapist. I used it for the first time this morning. There is still saline in the nebulizing port. Does anyone have this Volara and does it not use up all the saline during a treatment? My machine is also set on "medium" for now. The therapist said to start there and work up to the "high" setting. Maybe more solution will be gone on that setting? And do most use the high setting? I do feel it works better than my nebulizer I had that was 3 years old. Thanks for any help/suggestion.
Wow, check out that Pari Vios "green monster" - or maybe your nebulizer cup. Mine dispenses 4ml of saline or duoneb in about 12 minutes using the Pari LC Plus nebulizer. My old Pari (over 10 years old) took a lot longer, so I replaced it with a new one from Walgreens for about $60. By the way, Pari also has an LC Sprint cup that's supposed to be even faster - I might try it next time. I buy neb supplies on line, and replace mine about every 3 months - cup and tubing.
Sue
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2 ReactionsI don't have the Volara, but my old nebulizer used to leave about 15% of the solution in the cup.
So now, are you using vibratory nebulizer (Volara), vest and Aerobika? That's a lot!
Sue
Hard to say, it may be that you weren't actually in the right spot when you clicked. That has happened to me sometimes. Are you willing to try again? Just a basic history is plenty - how long, how diagnosed, etc.
Sue
Hi Sue, thanks for the nebulizer recommendations. I would like to combine the aerobika with the nebulizer. Will this work with the Pari?
Thanks
I have done it with my Pari, just attach the Aerobika to the neb cup where you would put the mouthpiece. I no longer do it, because it makes me lightheaded. I cannot say whether I am using it wrong, expending more lung capacity than I have or what, but for me the time savings was not enough to overcome the discomfort.
If you try it, let us know how it works for you.
Sue
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1 ReactionI have tried again and the message was lost. What am I doing wrong. I click on Reply and then type in the box that says comments. How do I send the message/reply?