Airway clearance and how I feel throughout the day

Posted by @ling @wangling, May 4, 2023

Hi everyone,
I know it might be a diffuse question, but let me try.
My pulmonologist told me if I do the airway clearance correctly. I
should feel clear of mucus during the day. I spend almost 30 minutes
doing it (flutter + autogenic drainage in the morning and evening). But throughout the day, I have to constantly clear out mucus most days. I am wondering what your experience is, is it normal for you? Maybe I am too sensitive about it.
Your experience is greatly appreciated.
Many thanks!
Ling

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@scoop

Have you tried AD app (autogenic drainage) available for no charge on app store? That helped me a lot. Before that I often spent 45 minutes and still coughed during the day. Awfully exhausting. I use AD app after 2 puffs symbicort, NAC with 650ml of water, 7% saline via nebulizer. After about 5-10 minutes, I use the app. I also try to keep well hydrated during the day. I hope this helps.

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Many thanks Scoop. I do use AD app. It is good to knowthat it works for you.

Ling

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@scoop

Have you tried AD app (autogenic drainage) available for no charge on app store? That helped me a lot. Before that I often spent 45 minutes and still coughed during the day. Awfully exhausting. I use AD app after 2 puffs symbicort, NAC with 650ml of water, 7% saline via nebulizer. After about 5-10 minutes, I use the app. I also try to keep well hydrated during the day. I hope this helps.

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Can you please give the exact name of that autogenic drainage app that you use. This sounds like a great idea.

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@irenea8

After my first late morning airway clearance, I generally feel clear of mucus during the day. But it takes time and is about the same amount of mucus each day. I spend about 45 minutes to one hour total. 7% saline and then many rounds of the Aerobika both sitting at first and then lying in different positions. The majority of my mucus will NOT come up unless I am using the Aerobika lying on my back with hips elevated and head slightly down. Then sit up to breath in a certain way that vibrates the mucus to expel and repeat all this several times. Then lying on each side using Aerobika at least one time each. By the time my early evening clearance is done I have a small amount of mucus to expel. The vast majority is the first clearance. My body is used to the routine. Some days the mucus is very loose and expels more easily than other days. But what works for one person may not work for another. But you might try the different positions.

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Thank you so much @irenea8 for your info. It is good to know that it is possible to achieve mucus free throughout the day. You seem to control your condition very well. I remember that you mentioned previously that you have had bronchiectasis for 20 years. During those 20 years, have you had any lung infections? How long do you use Aerobika for each clearance?
Many thanks again.
Ling

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@scoop

From the app itself:
The Autogenic Drainage app provides a customizable timer with voice commands to aid in doing autogenic drainage. Autogenic drainage is a breathing exercise that is used to clear mucus from the lungs in people with lung disease. Autogenic drainage requires no equipment and is done entirely through controlling your breathing.

This app contains a default autogenic drainage session that was customized by a person with cystic fibrosis and also contains a fully customizable session if the defaults do not work for you. You can customize the length of every inhale, exhale, time holding your breath, and total number of breaths in each phase of autogenic drainage. Hit start and voice commands tell you when to breathe in, hold, and breathe out. The timer also displays how long your session is, the current breath number, and how many breaths you have remaining. The app also contains a reference section.

This app was designed to the specifications of a single person with cystic fibrosis and was developed as an aid in doing autogenic drainage for people with cystic fibrosis or perhaps other lung diseases. This app was not developed by doctors, respiratory therapists, or any other medical professional. This app is not intended to replace any existing medical treatment and should be only used as an aid to people already doing autogenic drainage or those eager to try it.

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Are you mucus free during the day after using the autogenic drainage app? How long are you using it for each clearance?

Many thanks!

Ling

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Dear Ling, I do my best but it is not easy! It is rather hard to answer the question about infections in my case. I believe that I live with some level of chronic infection all the time. But it is a matter of degree. I have the mucoid form of Pseudomonas and normally that would be treated ongoing since it is not considered something you can get rid of. Treatments with antibiotics have only happened twice in 20 years believe it or not (LONG story). First time worked and second time did nothing. Currently struggle with bad GI issues and Kidney so getting by with my nebulizing and "remedies". Treatment with the right antibiotic would help but these other co morbidities are a barrier. Each time I use the Aerobika I do 15 breaths. And I do that approx 13 times. You would not need to do so much!! Probably no one does this much but me! But once I am done I have expelled almost 3 ounces each day.

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@equanimous

Can you please give the exact name of that autogenic drainage app that you use. This sounds like a great idea.

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It's called Autogenic Drainage by Polemics Applications LLC. It helps me stay focussed and reminds me of how to breathe. Screenshot of app below.

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@irenea8

Dear Ling, I do my best but it is not easy! It is rather hard to answer the question about infections in my case. I believe that I live with some level of chronic infection all the time. But it is a matter of degree. I have the mucoid form of Pseudomonas and normally that would be treated ongoing since it is not considered something you can get rid of. Treatments with antibiotics have only happened twice in 20 years believe it or not (LONG story). First time worked and second time did nothing. Currently struggle with bad GI issues and Kidney so getting by with my nebulizing and "remedies". Treatment with the right antibiotic would help but these other co morbidities are a barrier. Each time I use the Aerobika I do 15 breaths. And I do that approx 13 times. You would not need to do so much!! Probably no one does this much but me! But once I am done I have expelled almost 3 ounces each day.

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@irenea8,
Thank you so much for your detailed explanation. I learned so much from you. I am very sorry to hear about your chronic infection, GI and kidney issues. I hope you are managing the conditions well. And get better soon. Take good care of yourself, it seems you are.
Best of luck!

Ling

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@scoop

It's called Autogenic Drainage by Polemics Applications LLC. It helps me stay focussed and reminds me of how to breathe. Screenshot of app below.

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Not available for andriod, only for iphone. Thanks for the information. Much appreciated.

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@equanimous

Not available for andriod, only for iphone. Thanks for the information. Much appreciated.

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you can get it through Google play app store for android phone.

Ling

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@kathyhg

It was in a recent NTM lecture series and it is on YouTube now. Hope this works.

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Thank you!

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