MAC: Just how well do nebs work, anyway?

Well, bronchiectisis makes one more vulnerable to bacterium (re: pseudomonas, Mac). Because it allows them more time to flourish in your airways, as the motility mechanism in your bronchioles is impaired. I have read that pseudomonas is easily found in mulches and dirt. I was all set for chickens when I found out about my mycobacterium avium complex growth in my sputum cultures. So decided against them. I still garden a bit but wear an n95 mask to decrease risk of inhalation. I know this is a lot of information, but, part of my Mac also has to do with reflux from non diagnosed hiatal hernia. Bending over to weed is still a big part of my gardening, and it does irritate the sputum production problem! …but what’s a girl to do?

Oh I see. Thank you for clarifying that. I don't bend over much when I garden, but rather I bring everything I need to work in one area and then sit on the ground. I don't know if that would help with your reflux. I have only two chickens. When we first brought them home and had them in the kitchen for 2-3 weeks, that was really awful for my breathing. I felt I was almost allergic to them. But as soon as we moved them to the coop that went away and I find caring for them really improves my breathing as they get me out of the house on even the chilliest of days. I think it helps to have only 2 so I am able to clean their coop on a daily basis and it never gets very dirty or dusty. Interesting to keep all of this in mind though as I have been taking on more of the planting in the spring but maybe I will cut back on my interaction with loose dirt. Thank you!

Thanks for your story. My I ask, how often was your hemoptysis and how much each time and what was the color for over that 3 yrs period? You did not stop saline even If you experience hemoptysis?
I tried 3% saline this morning and evening one gave me a little bit bright blood so I had to stop right away.
Every time I cough up blood, I have to stop entire airway clearance for 5 days. It is really frustrated.

I have found that if I don't use a bronchodilator the 7% saline is much more irritating? Do you have a bronchodilator (albuterol or levalbuterol) that you can neb or use with and inhaler before your saline?

Yes, I have levalbuterol before saline. The problem for me is that I could not tolerate 3% saline. So disappointed.

Aah, gardening - my passion. When first diagnosed with Bronchiectasis, MAC and Pseudomonas, I was told never, no more by the doc. When I changed docs after a year and a half, both the new pulmonologist and I'D doc said gloves, N95 mask (with valve is ok) and change clothes and shower afterward. Also wet down potting soil before use and avoid peat mixes. And no chickens. Pretty sure the MAC came from the leavings of feral free range chickens in my Winter Texas yard, so I stay in while yardwork is being done out there, and only garden in pots.
Sue

After years of using 7%, my lungs refused to allow me to continue. While they didn't bleed, they went into terrible shortness of breath and bronchospasms. I was able to tolerate 3% for a year or so but then the same thing happened. I am now nebulizing with .9%, normal saline. While it doesn't kill any bacteria, it does soak the sputum that the bacteria feast on and helps me get it out of my lungs. You might want to try it.

I hope you have a chance to watch Dr Huitt's ntmir webinair available now on YouTube. She is not against gardening only the bending over.

Thanks for the comments, I will try it and slowly and gradually increase % but may not try 3% for a long time.

I'm a kneeler, not a bender. I have intermittent vertigo, so bending is always an issue. I have a variety of kneeling pads and a kneeling bench with handles for propelling myself back to my feet.
Sue