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Why do daily airway clearance?
Before I started clearing my airways, I never coughed up anything. But, then, I started using an Aerobika as well as experimenting with other methods and now I am able to remove mucus from my lungs almost every day.
It didn’t happen right away. First, I needed to get to know my body and figure out what was most effective because we’re all different and airway clearance is as much an art as a science.
Are you wondering why we need to set aside time for airway clearance every day, sometimes twice a day? Because those of us with BE have scarred lungs, and mucus can accumulate in those challenged areas. Then, bacteria, viruses and fungi can feed on the mucus and grow. Airway clearance is our way of preventing this from happening. We are in essence, power-washing our damaged airways with a potent mix of forced air, vibration and sometimes saline solution, making it so unpleasant for pathogens they have no choice but to leave.
The best part is, once the infection is gone, daily use of an Aerobika and other methods of airway clearance will continue to create an inhospitable environment. It’s a permanent “no trespassing” sign that will help decrease inflammation and infection in our lungs and allow for healing.
Do you clear your lungs every day?
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Thank you for your response which makes sense. This is happening even in the Tampa area and many doctors are even retiring.
I haven’t looked into UF Shane in Gainesville.
I have Not triedUF either
I have not but my primary care doctor but husband has tried to get me to call and at least let him know I passed out last week. I’m going to call him tomorrow.
Listen to your husband. Please do not delay! Even extreme dizziness does not cause people to lose consciousness.
I had an appt with my neurologist this AM. I almost cancelled it but decided to go since I already had the appt. I also saw him 4-5 weeks ago about the dizziness. I think he provided the explanation this time for why this may be happening. He asked me several questions asking me to describe the dizziness. He explained the difference between vertigo and light headedness. He asked questions about when the episodes affected me. Then he talked about one medication that my cardiologist had prescribed 3 months ago - at the time my blood pressure was bordering stroke level. It is Prazosin and he said one side effect is feeling lightheaded / called orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure). If loss of consciousness occurs to contact your doctor ASAP. I have experienced almost everything listed. I have an appt with my cardiologist next Thursday and I didn’t take the Prazosin this morning to see how it goes today. Praying this explains why the dizziness has gotten so bad the last few months, even only a start. Crazy but one med prescribed for MAC almost two years ago was guilty of causing high blood pressure and now a med to lower my high blood pressure may have caused low blood pressure.
I appreciate you input because I was really getting discouraged.
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1 ReactionLynn, you may be interested in this discussion about orthostatic hypotension in the Heart & Blood Health group on Connect:
- Postural orthostatic hypotension: How is it treated? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/postural-orthostatic-hypotension/
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2 ReactionsI have to clear my lungs every day or the mucus builds up and is harder to clear. What do you mean "other methods of clearance?" Does Aeribika really help a lot? Any side effects?
Even after 4 years I find Aerobika helps loosen the mucus so it is easier to cough out . Also, I huff cough instead of deep coughing. Kinder to my ribs and muscles.
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2 ReactionsYou may also want to try Univ of South Florida/Tampa General Hospital Pulmonology. I go there and they have some great pulmonologists. I will warn you though, dealing with their scheduling system is a challenge and the docs are backed up as TGH was/is the main local hospital treating Covid patients. I have to wait months to see my doctor but they respond well in their patient portal system.
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