← Return to Airway clearance and how I feel throughout the day

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@wangling

Dear @irenea8
I hope you have recovered from your GI and kidney problems. Feel better!!! I remember in one of your previous notes that you mentioned you had bronchiectasis for more than 20 years. And for 20 years you did not even use a flutter or nebulizing, only used your own breathing techniques.  But you managed your condition well enough to avoid being infected by mycobacterium. I often think about you and how you successfully manage the condition for over 20 years. I feel so lucky to have you here in the group and generously share your experiences so others can benefit from. My pulmonologist recommended me to use an inhaler, especially in the spring time for a couple of months (ADVIRE) to prevent airway inflammation which will make bronchiectasis worse. I don't think I have asthma. I do dream to keep my bronchiectasis condition stable, but I am hesitant to use an inhaler. I guess I want to know if you have to use anything or an inhaler to avoid airways being inflated from time to time? And I guess I want to know what would be a proper maintenance path for me now. Like you, I don't think I have MAC even though I have not tested it yet. Fluttering and nebulizing would be enough? My pulmonologist has not prescribed me with nebulizing stuff yet. He asked me to use Albuterol before fluttering. So far it is working for me. I do use the inhaler sometimes, since I am still trying to find what I should minimally do to keep me safe from infections and keep my bronchiectasis condition stable.  You also mentioned that you always have some kind of chronic infection, did the infection make your bronchiectasis worse? Like always, your experience will be greatly appreciated. 
Ling

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Replies to "Dear @irenea8 I hope you have recovered from your GI and kidney problems. Feel better!!! I..."

Dear Ling, It is a rather long story as to why I managed my Bronchiectasis without anything other than "coughing up" daily for so many years. I cannot say I avoided MAC since I was never tested for it all those years. But when I finally saw a better Pulmonologist just a few years ago he did test me for it twice and so far it has come up negative. But I do have chronic or mucoid strain Pseudomonas which is just as bad or worse. I do have days when I feel my airways are more constricted from more inflammation. On those days the mucus is harder to expel and I feel worse. But my Dr has never suggested an inhaler or even Albuterol since I am quite certain the Albuterol would make my heart race as I am prone to that now. I guess I would ask if your Pulmo is someone who specializes in Bronchiectasis. If not you might consider finding one that does. Inflammation is a big part of Bronchiectasis but so is infection. They go hand in hand. Another Pulmo might tell you to use saline but maybe you just do not have any reason for it yet. I lived with some level of infection for many years until I had a doozy of an exacerbation. No doubt letting it go that long made my Bronchiectasis worse but I cannot say for sure. I do know that the saline and flutter and positional drainage are critical for me now. If I did not answer something please feel free to ask. I really wish you well Ling and hope you can manage your Bronchiectasis better than I did! Anything I can tell you to help I am happy to.