I'm right there with you Karen - 7% was tough at first - and I was jumped from .9% right up to 7%. At the Respiratory Therapist's suggestion, I mixed the .9% and 7% half-and-half to start, gradually adding less and less until the 7% was tolerable.

I might be an outlier though - my RT and doc both told me that I didn't need to use all of the saline neb every time - once I was easily clearing my lungs, I could stop and discard the rest.

Also, in allergy season, when my throat is very raw, I often alternate 3% and 7% like you do.
Sue

Hi Karen,
I also was diagnosed about 5 yrs ago with MAC & bronchiectasis. I have never taken the big 3 & didn’t start nebulizing saline for 2 yrs. I started with 3% but later switched to 7% after reading many positive posts on this forum. The 7% did irritate my throat so I mixed it with 3% for a couple of months. Ironically I had very frequent hemoptysis when I started nebulizing. Over time it became less frequent & in 2022 I only coughed up blood twice. I believe the 7% has helped me ward off further damage to my lungs. Hang in there & take care! Linda

I'm using 7% Saline for about two months now with the Aerobika. I've interrupted the use of it for two to three days due to irritation in my throat but it does help me to bring up the sputum more easily than the budesonide/albuterol nebulizer. I like the idea of alternating between 7% and 3% and will speak to my pulmonologist about this if the irritation continues.