1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

Nebulizer and Big 3 questions

Posted by tconz @tconz, Jan 5, 2023

Should Nebulizing Sodium Chloride 7% be used before or after levalbuterol and how many times a day should I use the levalbuterol? Just calling my doctor to try and get off the Spriva and add levalbuterol instead. Also, I am asking for an Aerobika? How is the Aerobika used? I am so new to this and will be a pro one day. LOL I am just starting Big 3 today and took the Azithromycin in the morning without food. Will do this for 4-5 days and then add Ethambutol for 4-5 days and then Rifampin last. Any suggestions are truly appreciated. I am waiting for an appointment time with NJH which will probably be around April.

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pacathy | @pacathy | Mar 21, 2023
In reply to @sallyb827 "I just started all this about a month ago and no one gave me a clear..." + (show)
@sallyb827

I just started all this about a month ago and no one gave me a clear protocol. They told me to nebulize levabuterol, then saline, then Aerobika for 2 breaths, then huff cough. Repeat the Aerobika and huff cough 10 to 15 times. I cough sometimes but never can bring the mucous up.
When using the Aerobika, I thought you inhaled through the Aerobika and then exhaled through it. I then saw a video that showed inhaling normally and then exhaling through the Aerobika.
There is no training and I am frustrated.

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I just had pt ed the pt Ed. She told me to breath in a bit deeper than normal, but exhale longer and with a bit more power than usual. She had me do both thru Aerobika, but it's the exhale that's important. The point about the plastic is good and I'll prob just start exhaling thru it, too.
The instructions on p 3-4 in instruction booklet mirror what she told me.
Good luck!

REPLY
irenea8 | @irenea8 | Mar 21, 2023
In reply to @pawster "The only part that surprises me is lying on your back. I need to be upright..." + (show)
@pawster

The only part that surprises me is lying on your back. I need to be upright during inhaling or choke. As you said so well everyone is different.

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I expel some mucus while nebulizing saline and then afterwards I start with 4 rounds of the Aerobika sitting up. This gets up enough mucus first so that when I lay down and use the Aerobika I can get the rest. At this point I HAVE to lay down to get the rest of the mucus out. And it is quite a lot.

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1 reply
pw | @pawster | Mar 21, 2023
In reply to @irenea8 "I expel some mucus while nebulizing saline and then afterwards I start with 4 rounds of..." + (show)
@irenea8

I expel some mucus while nebulizing saline and then afterwards I start with 4 rounds of the Aerobika sitting up. This gets up enough mucus first so that when I lay down and use the Aerobika I can get the rest. At this point I HAVE to lay down to get the rest of the mucus out. And it is quite a lot.

Jump to this post

I just may try that. Thanks for sharing.

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