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7% saline continues to deliver.
Here I am, again singing the praises of 7% saline solution, the introduction of which into my daily lung treatment, correlates convincingly with the disappearance of predictable twice yearly episodes of acute (febrile) bronchitis requiring antibiotic treatment; nineteen months now without a flare up. My apologies to any English teachers on the forum; can’t seem to learn when to end a sentence. Don
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Rita, It is good to hear that in spite of scans…you are feeling good. I believe healing from inside out is best medicine.
My experience was mixed. Originally last December (2020) when I started with the combination Azithromycin,Ethambutol, Rifampin, I was very diligent about diet, probiotics,and exercise. So, I faired well for 3 months and truly felt I had regained my strength…my power. Then in February, I had a horrid case of esophagitis. My esophagus felt inflamed, I could not swallow, lost my voice “again”…so I stopped taking meds for Two weeks (with doctor approval). Reluctantly, I restarted when my esophagus healed to where I could eat again. Then I started having strange skin rashes. They would appear over night without warning or announcement. Odd places, like the back region of one entire thigh…the rash was more vascular than a bruise, and it felt stingy and hurt even without touching it (sort of like a neuralgic pain). The rash would mysteriously disappear after 10 days or so. The doctors imagined “I was bruising myself”…except the same pattern repeated 3 times different months…same region…I also had a weird rash that encompassed my neck and face…I swelled and it was painful…so I just took the executive decision and stopped all meds. I made a trip to NJH in May for a total work up…and the doctors were split on the decision to stop or continue meds…I chose to stop. The compromise included a repeat CAT scan 6 months later (if my chest cavity has grown larger…I restart meds…maybe different meds). My scan is scheduled for November 30th…so I guess I will have a plan to consider in a few weeks. Will keep you posted.
I truly feel blessed that I have caring, talented doctors, that watch over me and try to help me. I also understand that all human bodies have some malady and therefore we are equipped with spirit to compete with life challenges and soul to own our humaneness and work on the more important stuff.
I will keep you in positive thoughts and prayers as I do for all my friends and supporters on this Forum.
Regina
Do you use straight saline solution, with no distilled water or any other additive? Do you do it once a day only? I have so many questions.
Does the 7% saline absorb into your system. I have heart failure and must watch my salt intake Wondered if 7% saline would affect this. Want to ask doctor for saline, but not if it’s a threat to me in other ways.
I don't know the answer to your question, but that is an interesting one, because many of us with NTM or bronchiectasis do have other health issues like hypertension, CHF or kidney disease. The other factor to keep in mind is whether using 7% saline plus airway clearance can avoid the need for the Big 3, which are hard on the body, including stomach, kidneys and liver.
Have you asked your pulmonologist and/or cardiologist about this? I would be very interested in hearing what they have to say.
Sue
Thanks Sue. That’s a question I am going to ask.