(MAC/MAI) Mycobacterium Avium Complex Pulmonary Disease: Join us

@fdixon63...I agree with Sue on this. Coughing is important for clearing out the mucous where the bacteria was hiding. Your meds are working. I like postural drainage once or twice a day with comfort pillows to control the pain. Soothing teas such as throat coat help and Mucinex has always thinned the mucous for me. With my nebulizer tx and postural drainage, I have been MAC free for years and rarely have an exacerbation. You will get there, but the infected mucous has to come out first.

Hi Poodledoc
I have the same nebulizing routine. Do you know if there are any long term side effects of inhaling the hypertonic saline?

My usual airway clearance is twice a day 7% SC, once with aerobika attached. Exercise has gone by the wayside because of the heat. I tried postural drainage but it's too much because of my GERD. I've never thought of using the aerobika alone. Is it that useful? That would be great for travel--could do in a car. I also take NAC 600 mg twice a day. I've seen it posted that many use Mucinex. Do you use it all the time or just when there is exacerbation? Is that doctor recommended or just OKed? Would Mucinex be good to take at bedtime or late afternoon so could get stuff up before going to sleep or use in AM. Gosh, I have a lot of questions.
You are my Guru Sue. Thanks much to @egayle187 as well.
@fdixon63

I too produce very little mucus each day. Ever since I started using 7% saline in the am followed by the Aerobika then 3% in the late afternoon again followed by the Aerobika. I also use Albuterol 2 or 3 times a day and walk every morning. I still take the Big 3 but hope to stop taking them after I get 2 more negative sputum samples.

Mucinex - well...my current pulmonologist said she is not sure it does me much good, but...
I have taken guaifenesin for almost 40 years, twice a day. It originally was to help thin the secretions that were building up in my ears and sinuses, causing me up to 10 ear and/or sinus infections per year. When I got tubes in my ears at age 35, the fluid that was in my ear was actually thick enough to clog the opening & need to be flushed out by the doc. The ENT, who ended up treating 3 generations of my family, assured me it was not harmful to take guaifenesin all the time, and I have had no ill effects that I know of.

Because Mucinex is pricy, even when ordered in quantity on-line, I have tried to cut back or quit it a time or two. Not my best decision - each time it has resulted in an ear infection or increased lung congestion.

So, if you still feel that your mucus is thick, in spite of NAC and saline, it would be worth a try. I mention Mucinex by name brand because I use the long-acting 600mg guaifenesin-only formulation, and they have a stranglehold on the patent for that. Most generics on the market must be taken every 4-6 hours - too much bother for me. There are many versions of Mucinex that contain other ingredients - decongestants, cough suppressants, etc - these are not OK for long-term use.

Sue

jc @jcwest211 I have done tons of research on this and have never come across any bad long term side effects. Short term side effects could include direct irritation to your airways, causing more coughing or just that feeling of irritation in which case you should lower the % saline from say 7% to 3% at least temporarily.

Hello Sue, I have a question regarding colored sputum. Since my productive cough started over 8 years ago the color of my sputum has always remained the same, after negative or positive sputum cultures, or even after long term multiple antibiotics, always the same light tan color. I always ask any new doctors (multiple) their opinion, most will respond with no big deal or it is just from the inflammatory process itself, not necessarily evidence of an active infection. Have you been told that any color other than clear is a sign of infection? Thanks Bill

@poodledoc My specialist says the coloured sputum (mine is yellow or green) it is caused by the bronchiectasis inflamation. I would like to hear any other ideas also.
Thanks
Heather

I have wondered about this myself. Mine has remained a sickly green (except when brown, pink, or red from old or fresh blood) for the last 8 months, and I have wondered if that would ever change. From what I have been able to ascertain, the answer to whether colored sputum indicates chronic inflammation from bronchiectasis or active infection is yes. In other words, either can cause it. The color comes from white blood cells (particularly neutrophils) or their breakdown products. This can occur with chronic, non-infectious inflammatory conditions, like bronchiectasis, or with infections. From reading through posts, it sounds like there is tremendous variability from person to person as to what their "typical" sputum color is. My sense is that it is important to be alert to changes (for example, changing from clear to yellow or green), as these may suggest something new, but, for some, the sputum may stay colored, even in the absence of an active infection due to the ongoing inflammation. Just my two cents.

Hi Heather!