1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

3% sodium chloride solution and Albuterol vs 7% saline

Posted by dianesk @dianesk, May 1, 2023

In January, I was diagnosed with a mild case of Bronchiectasis. My pulmonologist prescribed Albuterol and a 3% sodium chloride solution. From reading the posts, I rarely see anyone using Albuterol or a 3% solution. I was wondering if anyone was using Albuterol and or a 3% solution? Is Albuterol safe a long term solution? Does the 7% solution come into play as Bronchiectasis progresses? I've learned so much from these online discussions and am so appreciative of this special community.

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liz440 | @liz440 | May 1, 2023

I use albuterol (inhaler) for wheezing prn and before exercise and before nebbing sodium chloride 3%. The people who use the 7% seem mostly to have MAC along with bronchiectasis.

REPLY
scoop | @scoop | May 1, 2023

Having tried both 3% and & 7%, I can say with certainty that the 7% helps me clear more easily than the 3%. No MAC diagnosis. Completely up to what works for you. The extra salinity might help keep MAC away? I don't know.

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1 reply
dianesk | @dianesk | May 1, 2023
In reply to @scoop "Having tried both 3% and & 7%, I can say with certainty that the 7% helps..." + (show)
@scoop

Having tried both 3% and & 7%, I can say with certainty that the 7% helps me clear more easily than the 3%. No MAC diagnosis. Completely up to what works for you. The extra salinity might help keep MAC away? I don't know.

Jump to this post

Thanks for your comments. I am meeting with my pulmonologist tomorrow so I can ask about her thoughts about whether a 7% might keep MAC away. Preventative actions are always good.

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1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | May 1, 2023
In reply to @dianesk "Thanks for your comments. I am meeting with my pulmonologist tomorrow so I can ask about..." + (show)
@dianesk

Thanks for your comments. I am meeting with my pulmonologist tomorrow so I can ask about her thoughts about whether a 7% might keep MAC away. Preventative actions are always good.

Jump to this post

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

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5 replies
dianesk | @dianesk | May 1, 2023
In reply to @sueinmn "I find 7% saline helps clear my mucus far better than 3%. Also, there is a..." + (show)
@sueinmn

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

Jump to this post

Thanks, Sue. So interesting about the new protocols with Albuterol and the timing differences. Definitely have to review that. You're so right about "less time = more compliance". After I nebulize with Albuterol and the saline, I have to really push myself to complete more airway clearance steps. Thanks for your help.

REPLY
1 reply
spider109 | @spider109 | May 2, 2023
In reply to @dianesk "Thanks, Sue. So interesting about the new protocols with Albuterol and the timing differences. Definitely have..." + (show)
@dianesk

Thanks, Sue. So interesting about the new protocols with Albuterol and the timing differences. Definitely have to review that. You're so right about "less time = more compliance". After I nebulize with Albuterol and the saline, I have to really push myself to complete more airway clearance steps. Thanks for your help.

Jump to this post

Sue, can you go over that protocol again please. I usually nebulize my albuterol first, then right after nebulize the 7% saline. And you’re right it takes 30-40 mins to do both then there is 10 mins or so for PEP device. Twice a day!!! Now I’m not on Symbicort, but have albuterol rescue inhaler. So I would use albuterol inhaler with spacer 2 or 3 puffs, then wait 15 mins and nebulize 7% saline? Does that sound right?

REPLY
1 reply
kathyhg | @kathyhg | May 2, 2023
In reply to @sueinmn "I find 7% saline helps clear my mucus far better than 3%. Also, there is a..." + (show)
@sueinmn

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

Jump to this post

Is a spacer the same thing as an aerochamber?

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1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | May 2, 2023
In reply to @kathyhg "Is a spacer the same thing as an aerochamber?" + (show)
@kathyhg

Is a spacer the same thing as an aerochamber?

Jump to this post

Yes, Aerochamber and Vortex are two. Even a simple corrugated extension tube, supplied with some nebulizer kits, helps.
Reminder - sanitize daity, sterilize weekly as with other breathing devices.
Sue

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3 replies
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | May 2, 2023
In reply to @spider109 "Sue, can you go over that protocol again please. I usually nebulize my albuterol first, then..." + (show)
@spider109

Sue, can you go over that protocol again please. I usually nebulize my albuterol first, then right after nebulize the 7% saline. And you’re right it takes 30-40 mins to do both then there is 10 mins or so for PEP device. Twice a day!!! Now I’m not on Symbicort, but have albuterol rescue inhaler. So I would use albuterol inhaler with spacer 2 or 3 puffs, then wait 15 mins and nebulize 7% saline? Does that sound right?

Jump to this post

Exactly! If breathing is not tight, sometimes one puff of albuterol is enough,
Sue

REPLY
kathyhg | @kathyhg | May 2, 2023
In reply to @sueinmn "Yes, Aerochamber and Vortex are two. Even a simple corrugated extension tube, supplied with some nebulizer..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Yes, Aerochamber and Vortex are two. Even a simple corrugated extension tube, supplied with some nebulizer kits, helps.
Reminder - sanitize daity, sterilize weekly as with other breathing devices.
Sue

Jump to this post

Thanks. I read some reviews of the cheaper ones on amazon and they don’t always work well. I’ll try a brand name I guess.
It feels like I learn something new every day - wish I had this knowledge 4 years ago but better late than never…

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