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Starting MAC treatment with "big three" drugs: What to expect?

MAC & Bronchiectasis | Last Active: May 8 5:56pm | Replies (192)
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@sallyb827

Sue,
I use a massage gun for percussion for about 5 or six minutes, then stretch for another 5 minutes before nebbing levabuterol (5 min) and 7% saline ( 20 min).
After that I am trying different things to bring up mucous. I use the Aerobika for 3 to 6 rounds, autogenic breathing, and also try postural drainage, while using the autogenic breathing. I hardly bring up anything., only about a teaspoon of white flaky or stringy stuff. I have brought up a very tiny light yellow glob twice. I am so discouraged that I cannot bring up mucous.
Any suggestions?
Sally

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Replies to "Sue, I use a massage gun for percussion for about 5 or six minutes, then stretch..."
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jun 13, 2023

Not everyone brings up obvious mucus. The purpose of airway clearance is not really to bring it up (unless you have a lot.) It is to thin and mobilize it in a way that your damaged airways cannot on their own. If your lungs sound clear with a stethoscope, there probably isn't much down there. You probably are bringing some up throughout the day and swallowing it without really realizing what is happening. When I am healthy, I doubt I bring up a teaspoon of mucus no matter what I try. But I am exercising the airways to keep them as healthy as possible, and when I am ill, boy does the junk come out! So airway clearance is really a long term maintenance therapy, not a competition to see how much mucus you can bring up.
So do a basic lung clearance every day for 15-20 minutes - you can alternate methods if you like - then get on with life!
Sue

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