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Frequency of Pneumonia with Bronchiectasis
MAC & Bronchiectasis | Last Active: Sep 3, 2022 | Replies (12)Comment receiving replies
Thank you so much Sue. So glad to hear swimming in the ocean is okay because I really love doing it. My last sputum test on 6/22 showed stenotrophomona which I have had since my diagnosis, and aspergillus which is new. My pulmonologist said they wouldn't treat it unless I have symptoms even though my mucous changed to a greyish color. Seven weeks later I had full blown pneumonia. I think maybe the 7% salt neb would be in order and I will discuss with the specialist. I have albuterol for nebulizer, but I like the salt idea much better. Thanks again for letting me know your experience. It helps a lot to know what others experienced.
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Albuterol is a bronchodilator, whereas the 7% (also called hypertonic) saline, in addition to thinning mucus to make it easier to cough up, actually is inhospitable to some of the bacteria that plague us. It suppresses growth of most Mycobacteria, pseudomonas, and possibly its relative stenotrophomona. I didn't find any literature, but about saline and aspergillus.
Most of us use a bronchodilator before the saline - when I was having more issues, I nebbed levalbuterol first, then the saline. Now I take my Symbicort, which is long-acting, first thing in the am, and later do my airway clearance. Right now my mucus is sparse and clear- even thought it the heighte of allergy season for me - I can even be outdoors until the wind sterts blowing pollen in my face.
P.S. My results have made 7% saline believers out of my primary and ID doc, and have halfway convinced my pulmonologist.
Good luck on you visit in September.
Sue