Lung Mucus Clearance .. Reducing The Breeding Ground For Mycobacterium

FROM MY TRUSTY FILE CABINET:

LUNG MUCUS CLEARANCE .. REDUCING THE BREEDING GROUND FOR MYCOBACTERIUM AND BACTERIA

LUNG/AIRWAY CLEARANCE DEVICES .. DEVICES TO CLEAR SPUTUM
Expand-A-Lung Breathing Fitness Exerciser

To purchase on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2tVjLzd

Read the reviews and how to use at
Aerobika Device Shows Promise in Treating Bronchiectasis, COPD Exacerbations http://bit.ly/2tyV75e

Member notes on AIRWAY CLEARANCE DEVICES : AEROBIKA .. ABSOLUTE BEST CLEARANCE DEVICE!

• http://www.aerobika-therapy.com/order-today/
• https://www.monaghanmed.com/Aerobika

AEROBIKA PURCHASE:

• https://www.amazon.com/AEROBIKA-Oscillating-Expiratory-Effective-Clearance/dp/B00O96GQUO
• https://www.nationaljewish.org/treatment-programs/medications/lung-diseases/treatments/using-the-aerobika
• http://www.aerobika-therapy.com/order-today/
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iy2oYadhF9Q
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqZUt3cAb0g
  https://www.trudellmed.com/products/aerobika
• https://www.nationaljewish.org/treatment-programs/medications/lung-diseases/treatments/using-the-aerobika

From members @decosmo and @maryjo2sell who have given great info about the Aerobika in the past.

Aerobika. I highly recommend it. I love mine. I have two. They vibrate well to loosen the stuff and they are so much easier than an Acapella to clean. (I use a bit of dish soap. Suds it up .. agitate .. hold the parts and shake them very thoroughly through the sudsy water. 2. Let the parts soak for 10 to 15 minutes. Then several times fill the measuring cup with very warm rinse water .. again agitate the parts thoroughly to make sure they are thoroughly clean of the antibacterial dish soap. ) I have had mine for at least 2 years.

Aerobika-Medical Supply ordered 2/25/17 $90.00

*Acapella device did not help me. . SEVERAL MEMBERS stated this

AEROBIKA-MY PERSONAL ROUTINE-INHALERS/LUNG CLEARANCE HYGIENE/AEROBIKA

Below is my particular routine in using my Aerobika

1. Use my 2 inhalers PRIOR to brushing my teeth
2. Use a "huff" cough at least 3 times .. like you were cleaning your glasses and fog them with your breath .. only MORE forcefully. Then use the Aerobika device per the instructions. Do the huff cough along with the Aerobika until you feel you have gotten up as much sputum as you possibly can. Personally I judge when to "quit" by the quantity and color of the sputum. I have found using the Aerobika you are able to " pull" mucous out of those lower lung airways in a way you cannot without the device. Personally I do this twice a day.
3. Inhale 7% Sodium Solution using my Pari Compressor and nebulizer
4. After my Saline Inhalation I again use my Aerobika. Then use the Aerobika device per the instructions. A "huff" cough at least 3 times .. like you were cleaning your glasses and fog them with your breath .. only MORE forcefully. Do the huff cough along with the Aerobika until you feel you have gotten up as much sputum as you possibly can.
5. Using peroxide to dampen my toothbrush and toothpaste to brush (purchased a squirt dispenser for the peroxide)
6. Rinse my toothbrush .. then using peroxide for toothbrush storage for sterilizing
   I think this routine will help oral thrush by keeping my Sonicare toothbrush sanitized daily. http://www.good-gums.com/sanitizing-your-toothbrush.cfm

AEROBIKA AND NEBULIZER -CLEANING
*6/17 From Member @lindam272, Linda, Aerobika sites the Electronic Steam Sterilizer (baby bottle sterilizer) as the recommended method. It says, “The four disassembled parts may be disinfected using an electronic steam sterilizer for baby bottles, following the manufacturer’s instructions for use (e.g. AVENT Electronic Sterilizer). The disinfection cycle should last approximately 15 minutes. Allow the parts to cool and air dry thoroughly before reassembly.” I’m only microwaving for 6 mins but maybe need to up that. It seems like the other components for the nebulizer should be okay. They are all plastic. One of the alternative methods described is the microwave steam bags but says to use distilled water. “For HIGH LEVEL DISINFECTION: If clinically necessary for the patients’ disease state, the device may be cleaned after each use and disinfected once each treatment day. STERILE distilled water must be used for rinsing. To sterilize distilled water, boil it for 5 minutes.”

1. @katemn NOTE: because I purchased a large supply of nebs I use the same cleaning method as below for the Aerobika and nebulizers per my File Cabinet.
   I can ONLY speak for myself .. I follow the cleaning method on the Aerobika website: https://www.monaghanmed.com/patients-education .. the same one that came with the Aerobika.
   I use very warm water .. I use a 4 cup plastic measuring cup to wash the various parts .. I like the cup handle as I agitate the parts I am cleaning! Norpro 4-Cup Plastic Measuring Cup
   I USE THE: The First Years Power of Steam Electric Steam Sterilizer (I remove ONE shelf & make the bottom shelf TALLER to accommodate the tall nebulizer with two other more narrow shelves)
   I use a bit of antibacterial dish soap. Suds it up .. agitate .. hold the parts and shake them very thoroughly through the sudsy water.
2. Let the parts soak for 10 to 15 minutes. Then several times fill the measuring cup with very warm rinse water .. again agitate the parts thoroughly to make sure they are thoroughly clean of the antibacterial dish soap.
3. I then toss them into the large round center baby sterilizer with the drainage holes at the bottom for storage (that I have removed from the unit) until I am ready to sterilize them all at one time. (This may sound dumb but I store all this equipment in my unused bathtub since I only use my shower!)
4. When I sterilize.. I make SURE I place the AEROBICA on THE TOP SHELF!! After I do sterilize them .. I let the sterilizer cool down. Re assemble and I am good to go! I use distilled water .. I feel it is a good cautionary detail to keep the unit in good condition. If you are unsure you could confirm by calling 800) 833-9653 .. or better yet .. ask your Pulmonologist or respiratory therapist.

I called Monaghan Medical (800) 833-9653 Aerobika Customer Service directly and told them my cleaning method .. their only concern was that I rinse well the antibacterial dish soap after soaking. BUT they are NOT experts on MAC or Bronchiectasis. They finally admitted their ONLY cleaning research was based on boiling SO cannot comment on any cleaning method other than boiling .. baby bottle sterilizing? LIABILITY!! (See 6/17 post from Member @lindam272, the new instructions from Aerobika NOW approve baby bottle sterilizing!)
IF you are using inhaled saline (Sodium Chloride Inhalation Solution) with your Aerobika .. I found a good price at: Just Nebulizers .. I purchased the 5 package. I use the same cleaning method.

From Member @jenblalock, Every few days I sterilize by putting in Dr. Browns steam bags (can get at Amazon) with a few ounces of distilled water and microwaving on high for 2 minutes. ($5.99 About the product: Sterilized eliminating 99.9% of most household bacteria and germs Five sterilizer bags come to a pack and each bag is reusable up to 20 times. This offers 100 uses per retail pack)

AEROBIKA AND NEBULIZERS .. CLEANING OF

From Member Linda @lindam272 We benefit from sharing information with each other. *PROBLEM I learned from my Respiratory Therapist: I WAS NOT sterilizing my equipment DAILY! I sterilize the three main pieces of the Aerobika plus my nebulizers! * my Respiratory Therapist suggested using a baby bottle sterilizer for DAILY USE FOR BOTH MY Aerobika and Nebulizers
*@katemn Here’s my routine: 2 inhalers, Aerobika, saline treatment (IF that is part of your routine) , Aerobika, nebulizer treatment, Aerobika. I then agitate all parts in hot soapy water, allow part to sit for 10 to 15 minutes .. and then rinse REALLY well. I don’t use distilled water. Just tap water. Put all parts in the TOP shelf of a bottle sterilizer.. I use the baby bottle sterilizer daily. 7/5/17 The First Years Power of Steam Electric Steam Sterilizer http://thefirstyears.com/contact https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B002WN2B6O/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
(Per Vendor: Our sterilizer cycle time is 13 minutes. The unit must cool down for 10 minutes before running another cycle. NOTE: IN MY OPINION .. AS IT COOLS DOWN THE HEAT WOULD CERTAINLY LAST AN ADDITIONAL 2 MINUTES TO EQUAL 15 MINUTES STERILIZATION TIME! Please check with your physician to see if 13-15 minutes is long enough or if you need to look for a different type of sterilizer that will cycle for 15 minutes. Consumer Service Karen, TOMY) After sterilizing I usually let it cool for a bit. Remove parts. I lay out the parts on a clean paper towel to dry. Allow sterilizer to dry. Not saying this is the “right” way but it works for me.

* I have a paper from my Respiratory Therapist that outlines how to clean and disinfect respiratory equipment and it says to disinfect at least daily and gives 4 different options for doing that – one is to microwave in a microwavable bowl filled with water for 5 mins or Electric Baby Steam Sterilizer (bottle sterilizer) for 15 mins. I’ve been sterilizing for 4 mins according to the instructions with the sterilizer. Now that I’m reading this sheet again, I’ll up it to 6 mins and hope I don’t melt anything. It sure is confusing and some instructions contradict others. I just do the best I can and pray that it’s good enough.

AEROBIKA-WHEN TO STOP/USAGE
I "stop" by judging the sputum .. how much I am getting up .. ie quantity and color. If I am still getting up quite a bit with "color" .. I know it is worth the effort because that means I am getting up "bad stuff" that CERTAINLY is a breeding ground for mycobacterium that I do NOT want down there! I mentioned previously a "private" issue that is kinda yucky but works for me . personally I do my Aerobika over the sink which is white .. that way I can "see" exactly the quantity and color of what is coming up. I also carefully use a Clorox cleaning spray for the sink. I am being honest in telling you my method because though it may be "yucky" it gives you a very clear idea of just what is going on in your lungs. Katherine

• Different Devices
  RC Coronet
  Acapella