1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

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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@ling | @wangling | Jun 4, 2023
In reply to @sueinmn "Irene, I totally agree with what you said, "It seems that the pulmo's who do not..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Irene, I totally agree with what you said, "It seems that the pulmo's who do not know a lot about Bronchiectasis end up prescribing just Albuterol or steroid inhalers. And not the saline." Even worse, without testing sputum some pulmonologists and primary care doctors seem more than willing to prescribe long-term use of wide-spectrum antibiotics "just in case" - neither of these is helpful to our long-term health.

That is the great thing about Connect - we get to coach those newly diagnosed on how to find the right doc to help maintain their health. I don't know what I would have done without the support of this group for the past 5 years!
Thank you for sharing your long-time experience and showing us that Bronchiectasis is a disease we can live with - and for a long time.

Sue

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Hi Sue,
Many thanks for your input as always. Greatly appreciated!
I remember that you mentioned that your husband has a mild bronchiectasis. I am curious about his daily maintenance. What does he do to keep his bronchiectasis stable? Does he use Albuterol, saline, steroid inhaler? How does he keep inflammation down in his airway?  I try to get as much info as I can so that I can be on the right path in this life-long journey. 
Thanks again and take care!
Ling

REPLY
scoop | @scoop | Jun 4, 2023
In reply to @wangling "I totally agree that low immune function is the culprit. So building up a stronger immune..." + (show)
@wangling

I totally agree that low immune function is the culprit. So building up a stronger immune system is crucial.
Thanks Irenea!

Ling

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It might prove useful @wangling to have an immune workup through simple blood test, which tests how well your body builds antibodies. There are many causes of bronchiectasis, one is immunodeficiency. Most pulmonologists look at this possibility during the first few meetings. Often no cause is found and then it's considered idiopathic bronchiectasis (cause unknown). From what I've read, that's around 50% of cases.

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1 reply
@ling | @wangling | Jun 4, 2023
In reply to @scoop "It might prove useful @wangling to have an immune workup through simple blood test, which tests..." + (show)
@scoop

It might prove useful @wangling to have an immune workup through simple blood test, which tests how well your body builds antibodies. There are many causes of bronchiectasis, one is immunodeficiency. Most pulmonologists look at this possibility during the first few meetings. Often no cause is found and then it's considered idiopathic bronchiectasis (cause unknown). From what I've read, that's around 50% of cases.

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Many thanks, scoop.
That is good to know. I think I am one of those unknowns.
That is what my pulmonologist said.

Ling

REPLY
hauoli | @halford | Jun 5, 2023

Hi Ling,
I have had Bronchiectasis for 3 years. I have never taken any antibiotics. What I have been doing to nebulizing with 7% saline and .5 budesonide two times a day, mid morning and evening before sleep. I have had up and down days but so far have managed. What my routine is to walk for an hr in the morning and alternate and row on a rowing machine and some weights for strength. Then I do yoga for an hr and the inversions help to get the mucus out of me. that is the thicker greenish yellow stuff out. then I nebulize that takes me an hour and a half and that sort of keeps me clear for the day until evening. In the evening I just nebulize and that allows me to sleep without coughing.So far its worked and my ID doc and my pulmonologist say to keep doing this method. Wishing all of us good healthy breathing. Hal

REPLY
1 reply
@ling | @wangling | Jun 5, 2023
In reply to @halford "Hi Ling, I have had Bronchiectasis for 3 years. I have never taken any antibiotics. What..." + (show)
@halford

Hi Ling,
I have had Bronchiectasis for 3 years. I have never taken any antibiotics. What I have been doing to nebulizing with 7% saline and .5 budesonide two times a day, mid morning and evening before sleep. I have had up and down days but so far have managed. What my routine is to walk for an hr in the morning and alternate and row on a rowing machine and some weights for strength. Then I do yoga for an hr and the inversions help to get the mucus out of me. that is the thicker greenish yellow stuff out. then I nebulize that takes me an hour and a half and that sort of keeps me clear for the day until evening. In the evening I just nebulize and that allows me to sleep without coughing.So far its worked and my ID doc and my pulmonologist say to keep doing this method. Wishing all of us good healthy breathing. Hal

Jump to this post

Many thanks Hal for the detailed explanation of your daily routine practice. I am very impressed with what you are doing. How dedicated. Sounds like you do everything right to keep infections at bay. 3 years without infection is really great and hard to achieve. Do you use Aerobika to flutter?  Do you think your condition stays stable? I also have a mild case, I was diagnosed last Nov. To keep the condition stable is my goal. But I am not sure I can achieve it. I already feel my symptoms are a little  different from 3 months ago. I have a little more mucus than before. I even don't know what caused the change.  Thank you again for being so generous to share your practice with me. It is a great help. I will ask my pulmonologist again to see if I should use saline. Keep up the good work and stay healthy and strong.
Ling

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