Are both flutter valve and nebulizer necessary?

When I was diagnosed with bronchiectasis and MAC, my pulmonologist prescribed 7% saline and albuterol to nebulize and also to get a flutter valve. I had never used a nebulizer in my life. I am to use the albuterol first with the nebulizer to open up my airways and then the saline to thin the mucus in my lungs. Not everyone is prescribed albuterol. Using the flutter valve afterwards creates vibrations in the lungs to help further loosen the mucus so it can come out. I’ve learned more about the importance of doing all this from the people here and a local support group than from my pulmonologist. In addition, I use an app on my phone called Autogenic Drainage after the above procedures that helps me cough up mucus. I didn’t cough up anything for 8 months, but now I do.

How does that phone app help? What does it do??

It guides you through a controlled breathing session which seems to loosen the mucus. Someone in my support group recommended it along with really squeezing the air out when exhaling using the app. It’s free, so you can try it out.
I usually recline and need to be relaxed when I use it. For some reason, if I’m not relaxed, I don’t cough up anything. But then I don’t always cough up anything after nebulizing, but often it will come later. If at anytime during the day I start feeling/sounding croupy, then I know it’s ready to come up and I use the app then too.
When I went to National Jewish Health, they had me use the nebulizer, Aerobika and the vest (what they called inducing a sample) but I still gave a better sputum sample when I was left alone afterwards and used the app.

My specialist says that the nebuliser with saline sometimes irritates the bronchiectasis. But the flutter device is really important because it breaks up the mucous to bring up easier. Have to get mucous out, as much as possible. It causes all the infections. I say, whatever you can do to get it out, do it. Otherwise pseudamonos, Candida, etc. set in and have to go on the hardcore floxins to clear the diseases.

I agree with all of the responses in this post. I wasn't doing effective airway clearance until I learned how from this group and NTM Connect, another support group. I recommend searching for videos which demonstrate Autogenic Drainage. That really helped me understand and follow the app better.

Thank you . I was prescribed an acapella but given no instructions. I was not bringing up anything
The omron nebulizer with 3% saline solution wasn’t really bringing up much at the beginning.
Does anyone get a sore throat from bringing up mucus ?

I have been nebulizing albuterol, using a vibrating vest and an acapella for almost three years now. I rarely bring up anything, but it does happen occasionally. Sometimes I try to be extra forceful with my coughing to see if I can get anything up, and, yes, it will give me a sore throat. Sorry that I don't have any answers for you other than that. But one thing I've learned from this group is what a relief it is to know that you're not the only one with whatever situation you find yourself in.

Thank you so much
I have learned more from these posts than anything my doctors have told me . It is reassuring to hear about other’s experiences.
And I’m learning a lot .

I downloaded the app. Thank you for putting me on to it .Is there a website for NTM connect?

You are certainly welcome. We all benefit from sharing.
NTM connect is part of NTM Info and Research—a great reference.
https://connect.ntminfo.org/home
anna