1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

Light yellow mucus with tiny little yellow balls. Is this a flare?

Posted by healthybon @healthybon, Mar 10, 2023

A couple days ago, since I’ve been using the flutter valve, I have been coughing up a very small amount of light yellow mucus with an occasional tiny, yellow ball in it. Also, clear thick sticky mucus!
I notice I am getting a little breathless too. My pulmonary prescribed prednisone, 10 mg for 10 days.
I would like to hear your thoughts on this. Will it get better? Is it a flare? I appreciate hearing from you all about this. Thanks Bon

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Mar 11, 2023

@healthybon Thick, sticky mucus when clear milky or light yellow is a caution sign that you flutter valve is doing it's job - helping you get up the substance that is a safe harbor for bacteria in you lungs. Time to do something to thin the mucus so it moves more easily. The usual suggestions are to drink extra water, nebulize with saline, take a puff of albuterol, or use some plain Mucinex (just guaifenesin) to thin it so it comes out more easily.

If it is suspected that you have MAC, prednisone is not usually used because it suppresses your immune system and make it more difficult to fight off infection.

I wonder from your posts whether you have a doc who is not very familiar with MAC?
Sue

REPLY
2 replies
healthybon | @healthybon | Mar 12, 2023
In reply to @sueinmn "@healthybon Thick, sticky mucus when clear milky or light yellow is a caution sign that you..." + (show)
@sueinmn

@healthybon Thick, sticky mucus when clear milky or light yellow is a caution sign that you flutter valve is doing it's job - helping you get up the substance that is a safe harbor for bacteria in you lungs. Time to do something to thin the mucus so it moves more easily. The usual suggestions are to drink extra water, nebulize with saline, take a puff of albuterol, or use some plain Mucinex (just guaifenesin) to thin it so it comes out more easily.

If it is suspected that you have MAC, prednisone is not usually used because it suppresses your immune system and make it more difficult to fight off infection.

I wonder from your posts whether you have a doc who is not very familiar with MAC?
Sue

Jump to this post

Sue, you have helped me beyond measure today. My intuition has told me that my pulmonary is NOT familiar enough with MAC ! You verified that.
I am taking your suggestions I. E. Mucinex etc.
I am seeing the local infectious disease doctor in April ( referred by my pulmonary), I will find out the results of what germ exactly that I have.
I really want to do the saline thing now, why wait four more weeks? Do you know…
1. Do I need to get a script for the saline, and 2. What percentage saline should I use? 3. How often per day?
It’s clear my pulmonary doesn’t support the saline, he wants the steroid…can my primary prescribe the saline? Is it a mystery that only a pulmonary can prescribe?
I am very encouraged that you think the flutter is doing it’s job. Now I’m not scared. Your suggestions are gold to me. I actually slept peacefully last night for the first time in months. My anxiety is quelled from talking to you and others in this wonderful support group, who have helped me by sharing their experience, strength and hope.
I am planning to go to the University of North Carol8na Chapel Hill pulmonary…….after I see this local infectious disease Dr. I feel better knowing that….Dee has been instrumental in that and she is a real blessing in my life, as are all the other people who have been responding to my blog questions. I am so grateful to God and to all of you.

REPLY
2 replies
annagh | @annagh | Mar 12, 2023
In reply to @healthybon "Sue, you have helped me beyond measure today. My intuition has told me that my pulmonary..." + (show)
@healthybon

Sue, you have helped me beyond measure today. My intuition has told me that my pulmonary is NOT familiar enough with MAC ! You verified that.
I am taking your suggestions I. E. Mucinex etc.
I am seeing the local infectious disease doctor in April ( referred by my pulmonary), I will find out the results of what germ exactly that I have.
I really want to do the saline thing now, why wait four more weeks? Do you know…
1. Do I need to get a script for the saline, and 2. What percentage saline should I use? 3. How often per day?
It’s clear my pulmonary doesn’t support the saline, he wants the steroid…can my primary prescribe the saline? Is it a mystery that only a pulmonary can prescribe?
I am very encouraged that you think the flutter is doing it’s job. Now I’m not scared. Your suggestions are gold to me. I actually slept peacefully last night for the first time in months. My anxiety is quelled from talking to you and others in this wonderful support group, who have helped me by sharing their experience, strength and hope.
I am planning to go to the University of North Carol8na Chapel Hill pulmonary…….after I see this local infectious disease Dr. I feel better knowing that….Dee has been instrumental in that and she is a real blessing in my life, as are all the other people who have been responding to my blog questions. I am so grateful to God and to all of you.

Jump to this post

My primary has prescribed saline, so that is a yes. I already had a nebulizer, but hopefully, they can also prescribe a nebulizer, too.
Anna

REPLY
scoop | @scoop | Mar 12, 2023

There's .9%, 3% and 7% inhaled saline. Most here seem to neb with 7%, which really helps with clearance. That along with hydration, NAC or mucinex, all preceded a couple puffs of albuterol.

REPLY
healthybon | @healthybon | Mar 12, 2023
In reply to @sueinmn "@healthybon Thick, sticky mucus when clear milky or light yellow is a caution sign that you..." + (show)
@sueinmn

@healthybon Thick, sticky mucus when clear milky or light yellow is a caution sign that you flutter valve is doing it's job - helping you get up the substance that is a safe harbor for bacteria in you lungs. Time to do something to thin the mucus so it moves more easily. The usual suggestions are to drink extra water, nebulize with saline, take a puff of albuterol, or use some plain Mucinex (just guaifenesin) to thin it so it comes out more easily.

If it is suspected that you have MAC, prednisone is not usually used because it suppresses your immune system and make it more difficult to fight off infection.

I wonder from your posts whether you have a doc who is not very familiar with MAC?
Sue

Jump to this post

Sue should I get 7% sterile hypertonic saline to put in my nebulizer is that the proper medicine. I see that it’s sold at the pharmacy and on Amazon so I don’t need a prescription for it correct correct? Is that the percentage you use?

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Mar 12, 2023
In reply to @healthybon "Sue should I get 7% sterile hypertonic saline to put in my nebulizer is that the..." + (show)
@healthybon

Sue should I get 7% sterile hypertonic saline to put in my nebulizer is that the proper medicine. I see that it’s sold at the pharmacy and on Amazon so I don’t need a prescription for it correct correct? Is that the percentage you use?

Jump to this post

7% is the "gold standard" if you have mycobacteria in your lungs because it suppresses growth of the germ and makes hiding places in your lungs unattractive. Otherwise whichever strength is enough to trigger your cough reflex. It is available without a prescription, but depending on your insurance, may be less expensive with it.
See if your primary or the ID doc will prescribe it for you.
Sue

REPLY
healthybon | @healthybon | Mar 13, 2023

Thanks Sue. No one had here so I ordered from Amazon.

REPLY
raney | @raney | Mar 14, 2023
In reply to @healthybon "Sue, you have helped me beyond measure today. My intuition has told me that my pulmonary..." + (show)
@healthybon

Sue, you have helped me beyond measure today. My intuition has told me that my pulmonary is NOT familiar enough with MAC ! You verified that.
I am taking your suggestions I. E. Mucinex etc.
I am seeing the local infectious disease doctor in April ( referred by my pulmonary), I will find out the results of what germ exactly that I have.
I really want to do the saline thing now, why wait four more weeks? Do you know…
1. Do I need to get a script for the saline, and 2. What percentage saline should I use? 3. How often per day?
It’s clear my pulmonary doesn’t support the saline, he wants the steroid…can my primary prescribe the saline? Is it a mystery that only a pulmonary can prescribe?
I am very encouraged that you think the flutter is doing it’s job. Now I’m not scared. Your suggestions are gold to me. I actually slept peacefully last night for the first time in months. My anxiety is quelled from talking to you and others in this wonderful support group, who have helped me by sharing their experience, strength and hope.
I am planning to go to the University of North Carol8na Chapel Hill pulmonary…….after I see this local infectious disease Dr. I feel better knowing that….Dee has been instrumental in that and she is a real blessing in my life, as are all the other people who have been responding to my blog questions. I am so grateful to God and to all of you.

Jump to this post

When you go to UNC+CH ask your doc there to prescribe saline. You get an LC Sprint nebulizer for frée with each box of saline if they are ordered from the SHARE PHARMACY & shipped to you... I made the mistake of requesting 3 boxes even though I was told that I would get only 1 neb cups not 3. Next time I will request 1 box at the time

REPLY
healthybon | @healthybon | Mar 14, 2023

I have received my saline… How many treatments should I do a day I ordered the 7%. Thank you

REPLY
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