What is considered successful Airway clearance?

Let's call in the cavalry here.
On a typical day, unless I am having an exacerbation or really bad allergies, I would say one tablespoon?
@thumperguy, @rainey, @pop55, what do you see as far as daily quantity of mucus?

Claire, are you using a nebulizer first to help thin the mucus?
Sue

No Sue; I don’t. I need prescription for that? I could get it through my family doctor?

@katlan @sueinmn I agree with Sue. And I have never heard of bringing of cups and cups. I'm sure there might be some cases but my guess would be a tablespoon, maybe two....it just depends on each person. Some days there's more, some days there's less. I just lie down on my back (postural drainage) and do huff coughing which is just a big push from the stomach a couple of times and that works for me. I have an Aerobika but stopped using it. Nan

Easy too over estimate when trying to get rid of it without making a mess.

Thanks so much for your response. I’m relieved to know that.

I believe the 'cups and cups' is typically seen in CF bronchiectasis. In mild and stable non-CF bronchiectasis, I think it would be more like a tablespoon or two. I usually produce about that much and most of it is saliva, rather than actual sputum.

I actually bring up a lot more than a tablespoon or two, its more like 1/3 to 1/2 cup a day depending. I use the Aeroika when I nebulize 2x daily and then sometimes again mid day. When I get down deep the color can be green...but its been that color for 30 + years. I always heard that the color green can mean infection but that has not been true for me. I have never had any fungal growth but did have Staphylococcus aureus until I started really doing airway clearance and then it went away without having to take medication.

I can use airway clearance (acapella) and get up lots of clear sputum with maybe small amount of light yellow gunk. But, when I just go through coughing on my own, lots of colored phlegm comes up. Not sure how much good clearance is doing. Wish it could be done then and done for the day rather than over several hours. Certainly annoying to anyone else I’m around and wears me out.

When you mention airway clearance, are you using saline or another neb first?
Also, some people have found exercise before clearance helps them bring up the mucus. Have you considered trying it?
Sue

I only have the acapella (one that opens for cleaning). Will see bronc/mac specialist in April and will probably get a nebulizer then. Meanwhile, I’m trying to be proactive. Had not thought of connecting exercise with acapella and breathing program. I’ll try that later today. Had tried to space things out for energy, but exercise, then clearance makes sense. Thanks for your input. BTW, I always appreciate your comments on here.