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Pulmonologist in the Austin/SA Area and Airway Clearance Devices
This is my first post since joining two weeks ago. This group has helped me more during that time than my pulmonologist has since I was diagnosed in October 2022. I contracted a cough in December 2021. This led me on a long journey of several antibiotics, multiple rounds of steroids, and allergy testing. After doing everything the doctors told me to do my symptoms kept getting worse. I was running regularly before I got sick. By September 2022 I had trouble going on a walk. I finally went back to Pulmonologist who had previously said I was fine. I demanded a bronchoscopy because all of my symptoms lined up with Bronchiectasis. He very reluctantly agreed. Two days later he did the procedure and told me that he was wrong, and I was right. He told me to get a green Acapella and see him in a couple of weeks. The Acapella helped tremendously, but I never felt really clear. My culture did not show any signs of infection. He then prescribed Azithromycin 500mg MWF and told me I would be on it for the rest of my life. I took it for about 6 months and have stopped because of the things I have read on this site.
Two weeks ago, I was having a very difficult time clearing with my Acapella. I was frustrated and started scouring the internet. That is when I found this group. I began reading posts and found a link to a video for airway clearance techniques. I have never received any instruction from my doctor on airway clearance. The video I found here was incredibly helpful to me. I also found the mention of a book Beating Bronchiectasis. I got it on Amazon and read it. I have developed my plan for dealing with this condition based on the author's recommendations.
The real game changer has been finding out about nebulizing with 7% saline from this group. I began last Tuesday. I feel almost normal in my breathing for the first time since 2021! I have even added running back into my exercise routine. I feel like myself again! Thank you to everyone who shares their story and questions here. I am convinced that with the right techniques, doctors and support system I will indeed see this as something I can live a full life with!
That is my story. Here are my questions.
1) I live in between Austin & San Antonio, Texas. Does anyone know a good Pulmonologist who understand Bronchiectasis in this area?
2) I live 5 1/2 hours from UT Tyler. Would they see a patient without MAC? If so, would it be better to just go there?
3) The nebulizing with saline followed by my Acapella and active cycle breathing is working. Should I just stick with that or is there a benefit to switching to the Aerobika?
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@susan64 Welcome to Mayo Connect. We should have a discussion just for those who say things like "...I feel like myself again! Thank you to everyone who shares their story and questions here. I am convinced that with the right techniques, doctors and support system I will indeed see this as something I can live a full life with!..." after finding us.
If I were in your situation, I would call the Lung Clinic at UT Tyler and ask for a referral in your area. If they cannot name one, and nobody here steps forward with a suggestion, I would try to go there. Bronchiectasis, with or without MAC, is a marathon, and we each need the right trainer (doc or clinic) for the long run.
As for the Acapella vs the Aerobika, I think it is personal preference. My lung capacity varies up and down with air conditions (I also have asthma) so I like the easy adjustability of the Aerobika.
Have you followed this discussion?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/find-an-expert/
I find it very encouraging.
Sue
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4 ReactionsThank you Sue! So many of your posts have been an encouragement to me. Reading your comments about travel encouraged us to book a trip to Santa Fe this fall. I’m starting the process of getting a battery operated nebulizer for use on the long drive.
I have been following the discussion you recommended. I read it yesterday on my way to church and decided that I needed to quit being shy and share my story!
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1 ReactionI started out with the Acapella then later switched to the Aerobika. The Aerobika seems more effective and I did find one study to verify that. Maybe when it is time to replace your Acapella you could try the Aerobika.
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1 ReactionSue: "My lung capacity varies up and down with air conditions" This is exactly the problem I am having. When it rains and is humid I have a ton of mucus (nose, pnd, lungs) and that impedes breathing capacity and I cough up stuff and blow my nose continuously. When the weather clears up I can do much more. If it's windy then it's hard to breath also. Allergy shots and medications have not helped the problem though I believe antihistamines eventually cause some bronchospasms if I use every day. Sodium Chloride may help a bit for this but not so that I can walk as much on "bad" days. The problem is not in clearing the airways but excess mucus production I think. Even with Air Conditioning and new airtight windows the "atmosphere" gets in the house somehow so even in house walking is hard on those days. I wish I knew a solution. Florida weather is bad but I can't move. Any ideas?
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1 ReactionHi Liz. I know you asked the question to Sue, but I have experienced the same thing. I recently started rinsing my nose twice daily (after morning exercise and after dinner) with saline. It has curbed the flow of mucus from my head and nose significantly. This has reduced my constant throat clearing greatly! It can be used more often, so I also use it in between those times if I’ve been outside a lot. I just buy the bottle of continuous saline mist with baking soda from CVS.
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1 ReactionI live in Austin and my Pulmonologist is Harsh Babbar in Cedar Park. He is the one who diagnosed my Bronchiectasis. He also referred me to an Infectious Disease doctor for possible MAC. I also have googled experts in Bronchiectasis and MAC and came up with several other names. Dr. Babbar is very thorough but I have to say I never received any instruction from him or his office about how to nebulize or how to do Airway Clearance Techniques. I learned a lot about all of that from this group and also Lung Matters on Facebook. I understand that Dr. Pamela McShane in Tyler is a very well regarded expert. I will see her if and when I get a clear MAC diagnosis.
I hope this helps!
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1 ReactionHi Susanp,
you mentioned using constant saline mist with baking soda. Do you buy them as one product; I use saline mist but never used baking soda to clear my sinuses.
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1 ReactionMay I know the brand and how to rinse with it?
I have stage 3 esophageal cancer and breathing/lung issues with it. I used oxygen(great but dried out my nostrils. Nebulizer with warm mist was great for countering that and loosening congestion to be vomited -spit out. I use a spirometer to measure my lung capacity . I spit up -vomit several times a day to breathe properly. If my throat or esophagus get too irritated I vomit blood. Blessings to you and just take it slow, be patient and calm. I do experiments when my health can take it. So if you feel you can and have checked side effects then try.
Thanks I tried that nose rinse Neil med I think and I worried about proper sterilization and when I started the Sod Chl 3% it cleared up my sinuses along with the lung stuff so I stopped the Neil Med without noticing any decline...rather the Sod Chl 3% did better than that. I am just plain reactive to weather I guess and to smells even.