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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healthybon | @healthybon | Mar 25, 2023
In reply to @sueinmn "@mimifeels It is not uncommon for many us to have a little trouble with the 7%..." + (show)
@sueinmn

@mimifeels It is not uncommon for many us to have a little trouble with the 7% saline. After 3+ years, sometimes it still bothers me.
Here are a few tricks that have worked for me:
Start slowly, I mixed 3% and 7% at first. Started with half of each, and gradually increased the 7% until I tolerated it. Even now, if I have a sore or scratchy throat, I sometimes mix them.
Make sure I am "huff coughing" - forcing a regular cough can be irritating.
Drink extra water before and after nebbing to help lubricate my throat.
Take half teaspoon of honey after nebbing. Or drink a cup of "Throat Coat" Tea by Traditional Medicinals - available in most larger grocers, some WalMart SuperCenters and on-line. Or use soothing throat lozenges (not cough drops) - I like Ricola.

Have you tried any of these tricks?
Sue

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Thank you for the tips sue, I’m going to get the honey in the tea. ❤️

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Mar 25, 2023
In reply to @lweirdo1 "Are respiratory therapists helpful to us folks who have MAC? Just wondering?!" + (show)
@lweirdo1

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

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Here's my take on it...My first pulmonologist had a specialty nurse who knew every trick for nebulizing, airway clearance, etc. She was very patient and helpful. When I switched docs (in the same large network) the new clinic did not assign a nurse to each doc, ran them ragged, and they left every few months. Then a new ID doc joined them and insisted on an in-house expert - they got a respiratory therapist and she is very helpful in teaching new meds, explaining test results and answering questions.
My daughter's pulmo used the RTs from the adjoining hospital, and they too are very helpful. She said they love getting patients to teach as opposed to just going from room-to-room in the hospital giving breathing treatments.

So, if you need help with airway clearance, a couple appointments to get you on the right track can be very helpful.
Sue

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1 reply
healthybon | @healthybon | Mar 25, 2023
In reply to @mimifeels "I tried the 7% saline a week ago for the first time. I found it too..." + (show)
@mimifeels

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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Thank you so much for your answer so quickly… I really appreciate it and it relieves me to see that I am not the only one that gets the irritated throat and that there are solutions

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fdixon63 | @fdixon63 | Mar 26, 2023
In reply to @healthybon "I just saw these posts on the saline irritating the throat. God what would I do..." + (show)
@healthybon

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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Hi healthybon. Dr. Colin Swenson at Emory in Atlanta is excellant. I live in Alabama so my trip visits were 3 1/2 hrs long. He started me on the right path and after a few years I asked if he had someone in Birmingham he trusted my health to. Now my trip is half as long. Best of luck.

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2 replies
healthybon | @healthybon | Mar 26, 2023
In reply to @fdixon63 "Hi healthybon. Dr. Colin Swenson at Emory in Atlanta is excellant. I live in Alabama so..." + (show)
@fdixon63

Hi healthybon. Dr. Colin Swenson at Emory in Atlanta is excellant. I live in Alabama so my trip visits were 3 1/2 hrs long. He started me on the right path and after a few years I asked if he had someone in Birmingham he trusted my health to. Now my trip is half as long. Best of luck.

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Thank u for telling me. I’m going to make an appt with him.

REPLY
healthybon | @healthybon | Mar 26, 2023
In reply to @fdixon63 "Hi healthybon. Dr. Colin Swenson at Emory in Atlanta is excellant. I live in Alabama so..." + (show)
@fdixon63

Hi healthybon. Dr. Colin Swenson at Emory in Atlanta is excellant. I live in Alabama so my trip visits were 3 1/2 hrs long. He started me on the right path and after a few years I asked if he had someone in Birmingham he trusted my health to. Now my trip is half as long. Best of luck.

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Could you possibly tell me what Dr Swenson did for you… In terms of treatment, Testing… What he told you.... all of it ....
would be very helpful if you could please do that for me thanks Bon

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1 reply
lweirdo1 | @lweirdo1 | Mar 26, 2023
In reply to @sueinmn "Here's my take on it...My first pulmonologist had a specialty nurse who knew every trick for..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Here's my take on it...My first pulmonologist had a specialty nurse who knew every trick for nebulizing, airway clearance, etc. She was very patient and helpful. When I switched docs (in the same large network) the new clinic did not assign a nurse to each doc, ran them ragged, and they left every few months. Then a new ID doc joined them and insisted on an in-house expert - they got a respiratory therapist and she is very helpful in teaching new meds, explaining test results and answering questions.
My daughter's pulmo used the RTs from the adjoining hospital, and they too are very helpful. She said they love getting patients to teach as opposed to just going from room-to-room in the hospital giving breathing treatments.

So, if you need help with airway clearance, a couple appointments to get you on the right track can be very helpful.
Sue

Jump to this post

You're the Best!!!

REPLY
formergardener | @formergardener | Mar 26, 2023
In reply to @healthybon "I just saw these posts on the saline irritating the throat. God what would I do..." + (show)
@healthybon

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

Jump to this post

Dr. Pamela McShane at UT Health Science Center in Tyler, TX specializes in bronchiectasis and MAC. They do it all there, and when you go, the labs, lung function testing, ECK, 6 minute walk, CT and/or x-rays, respiratory therapists, and doctors are all there. They have an excellent staff of nurses and support people. Patient portal is always responsive. They forward all test results and communicate with you as needed. Devoted and compassionate staff. Much closer to GA than some other clinics.

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healthybon | @healthybon | Mar 26, 2023

I am so grateful for all that you have shared with me… I so appreciate it and I will look into this doctor in Texas. How are you faring with your Mac and everything…? Thank you so much for all you’ve said it means the world to me because right now I have no direction or decent doctor

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1 reply
fdixon63 | @fdixon63 | Mar 27, 2023
In reply to @healthybon "Could you possibly tell me what Dr Swenson did for you… In terms of treatment, Testing…..." + (show)
@healthybon

Could you possibly tell me what Dr Swenson did for you… In terms of treatment, Testing… What he told you.... all of it ....
would be very helpful if you could please do that for me thanks Bon

Jump to this post

Just having a doctor who actually knew about MAC was a blessing. First I got a PICC line put in my arm and given antibiotics that way for a couple of weeks. Also began inhaled Tobramycin for 28 days. He also started me doing my twice a day inhaled sod chloride. Toby was rough and I did the PICC line at home. That took care of things for several months but MAC and pseudomonas A. came back. Later more Toby. I would still go to him except for the distance. I'm still deciding if my current pulmonary doc is where I want to stay. Dr. Swenson said if I'm not satisfied, he is still there for me.

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