1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

7% and excessive phlegm

Posted by ritapearl @ritapearl, Sep 9, 2022

I have been using 3% saline for years for bronchitis and MAC.I am adjusting to 7% slowly since I had bleeds in the past.I know the positives of bringing up the phlegm but now it never stops.It is making me weak and I am having trouble gaining weight.It seems one step forward and then back

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sallyb827 | @sallyb827 | Nov 5, 2022
In reply to @irenea8 "Sally were you ever told to nebulize hypertonic saline? That would help you a lot. Maybe..." + (show)
@irenea8

Sally were you ever told to nebulize hypertonic saline? That would help you a lot. Maybe i missed something but i do not see you mention using saline. Airway clearance refers to various techniques used to get the mucus out such as using an Aerobika flutter device and or different positional and coughing techniques or wearing a vest that vibrates to help bring up the mucus. When you have Bronchiectasis you not only loose the ability of normal airway secretions but you also produce a lot more mucus. So you have to use various things to get it out every day usually twice a day. How is the silver helping? It is controversial but some people swear by it. I also have intestinal issues IBS-D or some bacterial imbalance or? I wonder how many people with Bronchiectasis have Intestinal issues also. I believe the two are very connected in my case.

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Irene,
I was never told to do anything but take antibiotics. I am going to Mayo here in Jacksonville on Thursday for a sputum test( never had one before), breathing test, and CT scan.
My naturopathic Doc had me start nebulizing with colloidal silver but I do not think I am sterilizing the mouth piece correctly. When I see my new Doc at Mayo, I will ask about the saline solution and a good nebulizer.
I have learned more from you and this website regarding Bronchiectasis and airway clearance. I have a video by a Doctor explaining airway clearance and all the different techniques. I am through the slide presentation and now in the question and answer portion.
Thank you your support and information.

REPLY
sallyb827 | @sallyb827 | Nov 5, 2022
In reply to @irenea8 "Sally were you ever told to nebulize hypertonic saline? That would help you a lot. Maybe..." + (show)
@irenea8

Sally were you ever told to nebulize hypertonic saline? That would help you a lot. Maybe i missed something but i do not see you mention using saline. Airway clearance refers to various techniques used to get the mucus out such as using an Aerobika flutter device and or different positional and coughing techniques or wearing a vest that vibrates to help bring up the mucus. When you have Bronchiectasis you not only loose the ability of normal airway secretions but you also produce a lot more mucus. So you have to use various things to get it out every day usually twice a day. How is the silver helping? It is controversial but some people swear by it. I also have intestinal issues IBS-D or some bacterial imbalance or? I wonder how many people with Bronchiectasis have Intestinal issues also. I believe the two are very connected in my case.

Jump to this post

Irene,
I also wonder about the connection with IBS-D, Bronchiectasis and macular degeneration. I think many health issues can be linked to the intestines.
My IBS is pretty well under control. I take Enteragam daily. It is a prescription drug authorized by my naturopath from Transition pharmacy. If I take Enteragam, probiotics and am careful with my diet ( no gluten or dairy), I am in good shape.
I no longer eat raw vegetables. Everything has to be well cooked. After two days in the fridge, food is either put in the freezer or thrown out.

REPLY
1 reply
sallyb827 | @sallyb827 | Nov 5, 2022
In reply to @irenea8 "Sally were you ever told to nebulize hypertonic saline? That would help you a lot. Maybe..." + (show)
@irenea8

Sally were you ever told to nebulize hypertonic saline? That would help you a lot. Maybe i missed something but i do not see you mention using saline. Airway clearance refers to various techniques used to get the mucus out such as using an Aerobika flutter device and or different positional and coughing techniques or wearing a vest that vibrates to help bring up the mucus. When you have Bronchiectasis you not only loose the ability of normal airway secretions but you also produce a lot more mucus. So you have to use various things to get it out every day usually twice a day. How is the silver helping? It is controversial but some people swear by it. I also have intestinal issues IBS-D or some bacterial imbalance or? I wonder how many people with Bronchiectasis have Intestinal issues also. I believe the two are very connected in my case.

Jump to this post

Irene,
Are you taking the three antibiotics for MAC?

REPLY
irenea8 | @irenea8 | Nov 5, 2022

I do not have MAC (as far as I know) but if I did I know the three antibiotics would be impossible for me. I have Bronchiectasis and chronic Pseudomonas. I struggle with other health issues that are preventing me from taking antibiotics and am trying to find out why but thus far Drs have not given me the answers I need. I nebulize 7% saline followed by Aerobika flutter device twice a day. It takes me an hour the first time and maybe 40 minutes the second time.

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1 reply
kathyhg | @kathyhg | Nov 6, 2022
In reply to @sallyb827 "Irene, I also wonder about the connection with IBS-D, Bronchiectasis and macular degeneration. I think many..." + (show)
@sallyb827

Irene,
I also wonder about the connection with IBS-D, Bronchiectasis and macular degeneration. I think many health issues can be linked to the intestines.
My IBS is pretty well under control. I take Enteragam daily. It is a prescription drug authorized by my naturopath from Transition pharmacy. If I take Enteragam, probiotics and am careful with my diet ( no gluten or dairy), I am in good shape.
I no longer eat raw vegetables. Everything has to be well cooked. After two days in the fridge, food is either put in the freezer or thrown out.

Jump to this post

I have also had gastrointestinal issues for the last 1.5 years. I’ve had numerous tests but unable to get a diagnosis, treatment or even establish a connection to Mac. I did get some help from a naturopath and I have changed my diet and started taking supplements (I will ask her about Enteragam if you feel that it’s helpful).

REPLY
jack3t | @jack3t | Nov 7, 2022
In reply to @irenea8 "I do not have MAC (as far as I know) but if I did I know..." + (show)
@irenea8

I do not have MAC (as far as I know) but if I did I know the three antibiotics would be impossible for me. I have Bronchiectasis and chronic Pseudomonas. I struggle with other health issues that are preventing me from taking antibiotics and am trying to find out why but thus far Drs have not given me the answers I need. I nebulize 7% saline followed by Aerobika flutter device twice a day. It takes me an hour the first time and maybe 40 minutes the second time.

Jump to this post

Hello. I have Bronchiectasis, diaphragm paresis , with FSH muscular dystrophy. Mac degeneration severe in rt eye. Geographic Atrophy. Interesting that you talk about connecting Bronchiectasis and MAc degeneration. So far no doc has linked them other than opining FSH causing diaphragm bi lat paralysis .

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1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Nov 8, 2022
In reply to @jack3t "Hello. I have Bronchiectasis, diaphragm paresis , with FSH muscular dystrophy. Mac degeneration severe in rt..." + (show)
@jack3t

Hello. I have Bronchiectasis, diaphragm paresis , with FSH muscular dystrophy. Mac degeneration severe in rt eye. Geographic Atrophy. Interesting that you talk about connecting Bronchiectasis and MAc degeneration. So far no doc has linked them other than opining FSH causing diaphragm bi lat paralysis .

Jump to this post

Hi Jack, I see you have been around for a while, but have never posted before. You certainly have a lot to deal with.

I would like to clarify something though, when we talk about "MAC" in this group, we are generally referring to an infection in our lungs called "Mycobacterium Avium Complex" or MAC for short. This is unrelated to Macular Degeneration in the eye. As far as I know we are not at higher risk of macular degeneration with bronchiectasis, though one of the antibiotics we are sometimes prescribed, Ethambutol, can cause sudden onset vision loss (but not MD.)

Can you tell us a little about what led to your diagnosis of bronchiectasis?
Sue

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