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What are the stages and symptoms of Bronchiectasis?

Posted by raney @raney, Oct 18, 2021

I was diagnosed with bronchiectasis about the time that Covid hit the US and the pulmonologist are overworked, so I have lots of unanswered questions. I also am taking Bisoprolol Fumarate 2.5 mg (a beta blocker) for heart issues. This is the 3rd cardiac med that has been prescribed in hopes of finding something that works with heart and does not interact with pulmonary meds.
Is there away to shorten the time of treatment?
1. Will I have to spend 3 hours 2 X a day for the rest of my life with nebulizer treatments, smart vest, gargles and nasal washes?
2. Is there anyway to shorten the time of nebulizer. (I have been prescribed (a) Levalbuterol which I can not use because it makes breathing more difficult (b) Sodium Chloride 7% (c) Budesonide all by nebulizer.
I use Aerobika and Smart Vest at intervals during nebulizer treatment.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the MAC & Bronchiectasis Support Group.

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alleycatkate | @alleycatkate | May 14, 2023
In reply to @alleycatkate "@raney Hi Raney, To answer your question, I do not know of any contraindications of NAC..." + (show)
Profile picture for alleycatkate @alleycatkate

@raney Hi Raney,
To answer your question, I do not know of any contraindications of NAC with Asthma. Sorry. I will google and see if anything comes up. I am to be fitted with a Smart Vest shortly and read above that you are using it. Do you find it helpful? Do you use it twice a day? I have bronchiectasis, MAC and just diagnosed with pseudomonas. So my new Pulmo Doctor suggested the vest. I am anxious to get it which should be soon as I have been coughing a lot at night since I got sick in Jan of 2022. I'm guessing that is when I picked up Pseudomonas. Prior to that time it was pretty much easy sailing with just nebulizing 7% saline, NAC and excercise. I hope you are doing well. If I come up with any info on NAC and asthma, I will certainly post . Take good care, Raney.
Kate

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@raney ...Hi ...the first article that I came up with was by NIH and reports no contraindications of treatment with NAC in asthma patients. If I see anything contrary I will PM you.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20683104/

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alleycatkate | @alleycatkate | May 14, 2023
In reply to @alleycatkate "@raney ...Hi ...the first article that I came up with was by NIH and reports no..." + (show)
Profile picture for alleycatkate @alleycatkate

@raney ...Hi ...the first article that I came up with was by NIH and reports no contraindications of treatment with NAC in asthma patients. If I see anything contrary I will PM you.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20683104/

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@raney I see an Web MD article warning if you have asthma you should consult with your Dr about taking NAC and that You might want to avoid it. (though they do not say why) Guess the best would be to check with your GP and Pulmo. This is the first I had read this.

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healthybon | @healthybon | Dec 1, 2023
In reply to @sueinmn "That's a lot of questions! Let's start at the beginning with a welcome to Mayo Connect..." + (show)
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That's a lot of questions! Let's start at the beginning with a welcome to Mayo Connect and to our group of extremely knowledgeable and helpful MAC & Bronchiectasis group members.

First, I too was on a beta blocker for heart rhythm issues, and had to stop it because it rendered my asthma meds ineffective. My PCP and her med specialist/pharm doc could not find any others that worked for me, so I just live with it.

Second, that's a lot of treatments for bronchiectasis unless you have other issues. Most of us neb and use either a Smart Vest or Aerobika. I'm not sure how many also do nasal washes & gargling - what was the explanation for needing these? My treatment is 7% saline + Aerobika once a day, unless in an exacerbation. Then it is twice a day + Duoneb (budosenide + albuterol.) Neb plus airway clearance takes less than 30 minutes, while I read email and the newspaper.

Can you tell us a little more about what led to your diagnosis (symptoms, tests, etc) and whether you have been tested for any infections in conjunction with the Bronchiectasis? Were you diagnosed with any other issues at the same time? You mentioned you do have a heart problem, but what about asthma, GERD, sinusitis, cough, shortness of breath...

Finally, are you seeing a pulmonologist who is experienced in treating bronchiectasis?

Once we know more about your symptoms and other conditions, I'm sure you will hear lots of suggestions. In the meantime, there is a lot of information available in this discussion that may help you in this journey.

Sue

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Hi Sue,

I read where you said you had to get off beta blockers. I've been on them for 8 years for a benign occasional arrhythmia.
Did you have to wean off of them Sue, to avoid a rebound effect? I am going through this right now. I want "off "to see if they are causing my burning mouth problem. I read online that beta blockers can do that.

My dr mistakingly cold turkeyed me off and I ended up in the hospital for two days. It was a nightmare...... I've been to all kinds of drs to get to the cause, and have had many tests. Tks Bon

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Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Dec 1, 2023
In reply to @healthybon "Hi Sue, I read where you said you had to get off beta blockers. I've been..." + (show)
Profile picture for healthybon @healthybon

Hi Sue,

I read where you said you had to get off beta blockers. I've been on them for 8 years for a benign occasional arrhythmia.
Did you have to wean off of them Sue, to avoid a rebound effect? I am going through this right now. I want "off "to see if they are causing my burning mouth problem. I read online that beta blockers can do that.

My dr mistakingly cold turkeyed me off and I ended up in the hospital for two days. It was a nightmare...... I've been to all kinds of drs to get to the cause, and have had many tests. Tks Bon

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Sorry, Bon, but I don't remember - I was very ill at the time and much of that year is a blur. I had to stop due to the beta-blocker interfering with the beta-agonist that treats my asthma.
Sue

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liz440 | @liz440 | Dec 1, 2023
In reply to @sueinmn "Sorry, Bon, but I don't remember - I was very ill at the time and much..." + (show)
Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor @sueinmn

Sorry, Bon, but I don't remember - I was very ill at the time and much of that year is a blur. I had to stop due to the beta-blocker interfering with the beta-agonist that treats my asthma.
Sue

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I am on a relatively low dose beta blocker metotoprolol succinate 50 mg once a day and also have asthma. It has not caused any problems with the asthma however I think it dilates blood vessels and it makes my nose run even more. I haven't noticed any effect on albuterol (beta agonist I think) but maybe I am missing something?

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healthybon | @healthybon | Dec 1, 2023
In reply to @sueinmn "Sorry, Bon, but I don't remember - I was very ill at the time and much..." + (show)
Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor @sueinmn

Sorry, Bon, but I don't remember - I was very ill at the time and much of that year is a blur. I had to stop due to the beta-blocker interfering with the beta-agonist that treats my asthma.
Sue

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ok Sue, thanks for responding!

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six5532one | @six5532one | Sep 2 4:18pm
In reply to @gej53 "I use the smart vest, 7% saline and now the Volara at the same time. I..." + (show)
Profile picture for gej53 @gej53

I use the smart vest, 7% saline and now the Volara at the same time. I usually nebulize twice daily. Occasionally once a day on busy days. I have stayed healthy with no other flare ups or infections. My Volara uses about half of the saline in the cup.

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Did you notice any adverse effects after long term use of the Volara? What is the process for cleaning and sanitizing it?

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gej53 | @gej53 | Sep 3 9:24am

I soak the mouthpiece attachments after each use in hot water that we increased our tank to 130 degrees to control MAC with Dove soap added and rinse well. Every Monday I soak the mouthpiece attachments in a cup of white vinegar and cup of water. Then every Friday I microwave the equipment in a baby bottle sterilizer bag. The rest of the Volara tubing is replaced every 90 days or the machine actually will quit working. My bronchiectasis has remained stable since using this routine and I've not had any adverse effects. Some people have had trouble with the vibration of the Volara vest but it has always been fine for me. Hope this helps! My instructions for cleaning/soaking came from my respiratory therapist. I picked up the sterilization bag technique from this website and have had no trouble with it.

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