7% Saline for Nebulizing; and Mouth Burning

can you try 3% and see if it goes away?

Do u think 3% would work adequately for clearance?

Should work still with less irritation. Especially if you do not have a heavy load of mucus or infection going on. 7 is better but sounds like you need to give your mouth a break and at least see if less saline helps.

We’ve both been to NJH who are the experts when it comes to MAC. I was using 7% early in the day and 3% for the second one. I was told specifically to use 7% for both. Have you tried rinsing your mouth immediately after using saline? I know I cough up more mucous when using 7%.

thanks for your input. i kinda thought the 7% was the preferred....i'll try rinsing good afterwards. my burning mouth could be from trigeminal neuralgia. trying desperately to find out the reason, so I can get help. It's excruciating. Possible from cervical spine pinching nerve also. Don't know for sure. have a million drs appointments set up. so exhausting and stressful.

I understand because our lives are centered on doctor appointments which are exhausting and very stressful. My husband is trying to schedule a time for maintenance on our pool tomorrow but I have an appointment at 1:45 PM that takes us an hour to get there.

3% was the saline I was originally prescribed, but since the pandemic it has apparently been reserved only for hospital patients. My doc approved switching to 7%. I have no problem with it, but just wanted to say that 3% is what my pulmonologist wanted me to use from the start.

Thks for the info……

My pulmonologist also prescribed 3% for me and when I asked about 7% after seeing it talked about on Mayo site, he said he had no problem prescribing 7%. He also said it is harder to get since the pandemic. My pulmonologist here in FL is a very nice man but like most he doesn’t know a lot about MAC. Understandable because it is rare but everyone I have talked to in FL and CO say MAC is being diagnosed more all the time. Saline is not a medication and some have reported it is not covered by Medicare or insurance because it is not a medication. Both 3% and 7% Saline are readily available on Amazon.com from Base Labs. I have found that 7% definitely brings up more mucous. I have no idea why there is a hold up getting saline in pharmacies unless it is due to it not being a medication. My daughter has been an RN for 32+ years. She is who let me know that I didn’t need a prescription and it was readily available on Amazon.

I use 7% twice daily and at times it irritates my mouth and tongue. My pulmonologist gave me a prescription for Nystatin. A few drops as prescribed clears mine up. Magic mouthwash requires a prescription but it helps too.
I also use Biotene before I start to help moisturize the mouth before and after
Hope this helps!