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