I find 7% saline helps clear my mucus far better than 3%.
Also, there is a new protocol for treating long-term asthma that uses a combination inhaler (Symbicort or its generic equivalent) twice a day for control, and only uses albuterol/levalbuterol for sudden attacks. I use this 10-20 minutes before my saline neb.
My daughter, an ER nurse, says new standard protocols are showing the albuterol inhaler is as effective as the neb when used with a spacer - and it only takes a minute, compared to 15-20 minutes to nebulize albuterol. Less time = better compliance with most people.
Sue

After getting a Bronchiectasis diagnosis, using a nebulizer was suggested by my pulmonologist. He suggested a 3% solution. I really liked it. It was soothing, for one thing. Then, it seemed that I could no longer find a 3% solution and could only get the 7%, so have been using that, but I find it very, very harsh. It cause a lot of coughing and I feel pretty worn out after 20 min. of that. I'm not sure if it helps clear the lungs or irritates them more. I've recently stopped using the nebulizer and plan to check with my doctor later this month. I have found one supplier who supposedly still has the 3% formula, so might try that again. Still, IF the doctor says that all the coughing from the 7% is worth continuing (some people really advocate it), then I guess I will try suffering through that process, but I sure do not enjoy it at all. Good luck with your treatment plan.