I think this explanation is better than anything I could write for you: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21144-bronchiectasis
It explains what bronchiectasis is, how it affects mucus production and what an exacerbation is - all in one place. If you follow other links on the page, you can learn even more.
And your explanation "...But then it kind of replenishes and you have to do it again the next day and the next day ad infinitum?..." is exactly how we all feel about daily airway clearance. Just like brushing our teeth, we have to do it every day.
Sue
P.S. Even on days when I don't neb saline, I do airway clearance.
Sue could you please explain to me why the mucus is formed in there and you have to clear it out every day? Does the bacteria cause the mucus to produce?
It’s a good thing when the mucus comes up when you nebulize and use the flutter… Correct? But then it kind of replenishes and you have to do it again the next day and the next day ad infinitum?
I just thought it might be helpful to explain about airway hygiene for those who have Bronchiectasis. Everyone produces mucus secretions but normal lungs process it and you are not aware of it. My Pulmo explained that when you have Bronchiectasis your airway secretions do not work normally and so you have to do other things to compensate (nebulize saline, Aerobika, vests, positions, methods of breathing etc). But those things will still never be as effective. The lung hygiene helps to prevent mucus build up that breeds various bacterias. Since Bronchiectasis is not considered curable you will have to use these aids to airway clearance always. If you do not have Bronchiectasis but you do have MAC then some of this would not apply. Good questions for a Dr who specializes in MAC. No matter what, it must be good to get the mucus out and discourage the MAC with the saline. At least this is my understanding.
Once a day, 4-5 times a week. I up this to daily if I get any kind of congestion, virus, etc. And twice a day during an exacerbation. This "slacker" schedule came about after my last pulmo visit, where my lungs looked their best in 5 years, with the consent of my doc. It also coincided with a change in my asthma meds that reduced those symptoms to almost nothing.
This is normal, and means the saline is doing its job - these are little mucus plugs that have been stuck in your lung. You can read about it in this discussion: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/light-yellow-mucus-with-tiny-little-yellow-balls-in-it-is-this-a-flare/
At first everything about MAC and Bronchiectasis seem scary, but we can learn to live well and actively with it. Just remember to keep doing airway clearance with the saline, eat healthy and get some exercise (helps clear mucus and keep your lungs as strong as possible.)
Sue
This is normal, and means the saline is doing its job - these are little mucus plugs that have been stuck in your lung. You can read about it in this discussion: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/light-yellow-mucus-with-tiny-little-yellow-balls-in-it-is-this-a-flare/
At first everything about MAC and Bronchiectasis seem scary, but we can learn to live well and actively with it. Just remember to keep doing airway clearance with the saline, eat healthy and get some exercise (helps clear mucus and keep your lungs as strong as possible.)
Sue
I just finished a week at Mayo. Found out I have bronchiectasis and am waiting for the results from the cultures. The doc there also prescribed .9 and albuterol. I am in earlier stages than some here and only occ get sputum up. Even with the 10% saline when they tried to induce sputum, I couldn't get a good sample. (The RT who tried said the induction fails often) I'm believe that's the reason I'm getting .9. I image they'll increase it if I start having more.
This is normal, and means the saline is doing its job - these are little mucus plugs that have been stuck in your lung. You can read about it in this discussion: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/light-yellow-mucus-with-tiny-little-yellow-balls-in-it-is-this-a-flare/
At first everything about MAC and Bronchiectasis seem scary, but we can learn to live well and actively with it. Just remember to keep doing airway clearance with the saline, eat healthy and get some exercise (helps clear mucus and keep your lungs as strong as possible.)
Sue
And since she does not have Bronchiectasis there is every reason to be hopeful that the saline alone may be enough for the MAC? Some people test negative later on after just nebulizing. Whatever comes up is good.
Actually saline comes at least as high as 10%. My pulmo nurse used it to force me to cough up sputum when I had a dry cough. The downside was I felt "a-salted" for at least a day. We tried 3% but it wasn't enough to make my cough productive. But I do ok with 7% and it brings up lots of gunk some days.
7% is best but some of us can't handle it so we use 3%. .9% is normal body saline and will not help you cough up gunk. I don't think it comes in other %. You need a prescription for 3 or 7%. Ntm's don't like salt so it is a really great airway clearance tool.
Connect
Connect
Like
Helpful
Hug
I think this explanation is better than anything I could write for you:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21144-bronchiectasis
It explains what bronchiectasis is, how it affects mucus production and what an exacerbation is - all in one place. If you follow other links on the page, you can learn even more.
And your explanation "...But then it kind of replenishes and you have to do it again the next day and the next day ad infinitum?..." is exactly how we all feel about daily airway clearance. Just like brushing our teeth, we have to do it every day.
Sue
P.S. Even on days when I don't neb saline, I do airway clearance.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI just thought it might be helpful to explain about airway hygiene for those who have Bronchiectasis. Everyone produces mucus secretions but normal lungs process it and you are not aware of it. My Pulmo explained that when you have Bronchiectasis your airway secretions do not work normally and so you have to do other things to compensate (nebulize saline, Aerobika, vests, positions, methods of breathing etc). But those things will still never be as effective. The lung hygiene helps to prevent mucus build up that breeds various bacterias. Since Bronchiectasis is not considered curable you will have to use these aids to airway clearance always. If you do not have Bronchiectasis but you do have MAC then some of this would not apply. Good questions for a Dr who specializes in MAC. No matter what, it must be good to get the mucus out and discourage the MAC with the saline. At least this is my understanding.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
5 ReactionsSue. I started nebulizing for a couple days (saline). Today, little balls came up too. Any comments? I’m so scared Sue.
This is normal, and means the saline is doing its job - these are little mucus plugs that have been stuck in your lung. You can read about it in this discussion:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/light-yellow-mucus-with-tiny-little-yellow-balls-in-it-is-this-a-flare/
At first everything about MAC and Bronchiectasis seem scary, but we can learn to live well and actively with it. Just remember to keep doing airway clearance with the saline, eat healthy and get some exercise (helps clear mucus and keep your lungs as strong as possible.)
Sue
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI love you Sue..your words are a comfort to me….thank you. I’m posting what you and cate said about this on my FRIGE.🥰
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI just finished a week at Mayo. Found out I have bronchiectasis and am waiting for the results from the cultures. The doc there also prescribed .9 and albuterol. I am in earlier stages than some here and only occ get sputum up. Even with the 10% saline when they tried to induce sputum, I couldn't get a good sample. (The RT who tried said the induction fails often) I'm believe that's the reason I'm getting .9. I image they'll increase it if I start having more.
And since she does not have Bronchiectasis there is every reason to be hopeful that the saline alone may be enough for the MAC? Some people test negative later on after just nebulizing. Whatever comes up is good.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reactionhi Sue, do you think it's okay to nebulize 3 x a day with 7% on occassion if your not feeling well and coughing a little, or is that too much?
FYI- ordered 3% from Amazon without a prescription. I still didn’t get sputum up.
try autogenic drainage...it's an app you can put on your cell phone.........it helps me, maybe it will help you to get something up?