1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

Nebulizing 7% saline issues

Posted by mimifeels @mimifeels, Mar 22, 2023

Can everyone on this forum tolerate nebulizing with the 7% saline? I tried it and I think my lungs loved it, but my throat absolutely did not. I got a terrible sore throat afterwards that lasted 24 hours and then had a heavily runny nose for a couple of days. How do you all tolerate it when you nebulize every day? Twice a day? Also, are there ways to help the body (well, my throat) tolerate it better?

BTW, I have just learned my insurance doesn't cover the 7% saline. Wonder why? Isn't it a medication?

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irenea8 | @irenea8 | Mar 24, 2023
In reply to @sueinmn "Is using a mask an alternative to the mouthpiece? I have wondered about that. Yes, you..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Is using a mask an alternative to the mouthpiece? I have wondered about that.
Yes, you can use the mask.
Do you get just as much saline benefit into the lungs using a mask?
I believe so, but I'm not a doctor.
Seems it would also help the sinus.
Well, back when I used .9% (aka "normal") saline, I felt it was helpful. BUT...when I switched to 7% saline and tried the mask, inhalation was positively painful. And I sneezed for hours afterwards because my nose was so irritated.
Has anyone asked their Pulmo about using it instead?
Always a good idea - or ask the respiratory therapist if your pulmonary office has one on staff.
Sue

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Good point about nasal irritation. It might also cause nose bleeds if you are already prone to that.

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bklynprof | @bklynprof | Mar 24, 2023
In reply to @liz440 "I only use 3% and the mouth piece but...it opens up my sinuses as much as..." + (show)
@liz440

I only use 3% and the mouth piece but...it opens up my sinuses as much as my lungs. I think I blow my nose as much as I cough up stuff. I find it amazing!

Jump to this post

I use 7% and I have the same experience with my nose running as soon as I start nebulizing. I was beginning to think it might just be me, but now I know I'm not alone 🙂

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1 reply
mimifeels | @mimifeels | Mar 24, 2023
In reply to @bklynprof "I use 7% and I have the same experience with my nose running as soon as..." + (show)
@bklynprof

I use 7% and I have the same experience with my nose running as soon as I start nebulizing. I was beginning to think it might just be me, but now I know I'm not alone 🙂

Jump to this post

Just started with mixing the .9% and the 7% saline, and I can tolerate the mix without any "side effects." Perhaps using the 7% right away is just too harsh and the body needs getting used to it.

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kagilb | @kagilb | Mar 25, 2023

I am currently transitioning from 3% to 7% saline and also found it somewhat irritating to the throat. I use a mouthpiece but found if I slow down my inhalations and take in a bit of room air through the nose or side of mouth during some inhalations to "dilute" the concentration, my throat much better.

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lweirdo1 | @lweirdo1 | Mar 25, 2023
In reply to @sueinmn "Is using a mask an alternative to the mouthpiece? I have wondered about that. Yes, you..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Is using a mask an alternative to the mouthpiece? I have wondered about that.
Yes, you can use the mask.
Do you get just as much saline benefit into the lungs using a mask?
I believe so, but I'm not a doctor.
Seems it would also help the sinus.
Well, back when I used .9% (aka "normal") saline, I felt it was helpful. BUT...when I switched to 7% saline and tried the mask, inhalation was positively painful. And I sneezed for hours afterwards because my nose was so irritated.
Has anyone asked their Pulmo about using it instead?
Always a good idea - or ask the respiratory therapist if your pulmonary office has one on staff.
Sue

Jump to this post

Are respiratory therapists helpful to us folks who have MAC? Just wondering?!

REPLY
1 reply
raney | @raney | Mar 25, 2023
In reply to @liz440 "I only use 3% and the mouth piece but...it opens up my sinuses as much as..." + (show)
@liz440

I only use 3% and the mouth piece but...it opens up my sinuses as much as my lungs. I think I blow my nose as much as I cough up stuff. I find it amazing!

Jump to this post

Where do you get the mask? Is there a name for it? Size? I want one. I spend hours bending over the bathroom sink every day and that is causing lots of problems of my spine. . osteoarthritis

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1 reply
raney | @raney | Mar 25, 2023
In reply to @raney "Where do you get the mask? Is there a name for it? Size? I want one...." + (show)
@raney

Where do you get the mask? Is there a name for it? Size? I want one. I spend hours bending over the bathroom sink every day and that is causing lots of problems of my spine. . osteoarthritis

Jump to this post

I have chronic sinus drainage and sinus washes and drainage takes as much time as lung coughing and drainage.

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healthybon | @healthybon | Mar 25, 2023

I have a question for the group. I’ve been using the 7% Saline for about a week now and it works good and gets up stuff. This morning when I woke up my throat was very sore and I seem to be coughing today, which I usually don’t do ...unless I use the nebulizer. And I don’t feel real good physically. Does anybody have any suggestions or comments?

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1 reply
mimifeels | @mimifeels | Mar 25, 2023
In reply to @healthybon "I have a question for the group. I’ve been using the 7% Saline for about a..." + (show)
@healthybon

I have a question for the group. I’ve been using the 7% Saline for about a week now and it works good and gets up stuff. This morning when I woke up my throat was very sore and I seem to be coughing today, which I usually don’t do ...unless I use the nebulizer. And I don’t feel real good physically. Does anybody have any suggestions or comments?

Jump to this post

I tried the 7% saline a week ago for the first time. I found it too harsh for my throat. In the night after nebulizing, I had a bad sore throat and then for the following 3 days I experienced all possible cold symptoms: my nose was runny, I had a headache, I was coughing, but sneezing was the worse of them all! My coworkers though I had COVID LOL (which I tested myself for, but was negative). So the way to do it is to mix it with a .9% or 3% saline and get your body slowly used to the intensity. My lungs really loved the 7%, so I am not giving up.

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1 reply
healthybon | @healthybon | Mar 25, 2023

I just saw these posts on the saline irritating the throat. God what would I do without all of you? I was scared I developed an infection. The mucus is clear but yes the 7% is irritating me. I’ll use the 3 % starting tomorrow and try the honey or the tea. Until I can see the ID dr in April I have no dr I can trust. Who knows if I will like him either. I am prepared to travel to a good, new pulmonary who specializes in Mac. Dee suggested Univ of Chapel Hill, maybe Duke, maybe Jewish Health in Colorado. I live in Georgia, if you all know of very knowledgeable drs that treat Mac. Thks Bon

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