That's a great question. I'm like @cavlover - if I get lax about using my saline nebs & airway clearance, I don't really cough. Then a few days pass, and allergy or asthma prompts a coughing spell, and the "gunk" is there. Or I begin to feel a "heavy spot" in my chest, or notice a little shortness of breath. When I begin to neb faithfully again, out comes the mucus.

Over the past 4 years, I have noticed a very encouraging trend in this group - people who faithfully neb and/or use a mucus-thinner, and do airway clearance seem to be able to stay healthier. Maybe not totally, and maybe not everyone, but a significant number of us. Hereis a discussion about airway clearance that may interes you :https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-is-considered-successfuly-airway-clearance/

To me, it is a small sacrifice of time to avoid the meds that seem to make me so ill and to maintain my quality of life.
Is your doctor a pulmonologist? Do they have experience treating bronchiectasis specifically?
Sue