Smartvest...Is it helpful in eliminating sputum?

I use aflo vest similar I guess. I use it 2x a day 30 min each. I have been on ethambual and arizonizon then arikayce. I still have positive mac cultures. Since using vest and i exercise 20 min fast walk and take vinegar garlic oregano cloves and mushrooms. No drugs now getting negative cultures good luck God bless

Tracy, When you say you take vinegar garlic organo cloves and mushrooms.
Although everyone is different in terms of how much etc.., however......
Do you mean a type of liquid vinegar and how much etc.
Do you mean garlic tablets and how much?
Do you mean oregano liquid, tablets or the fresh herb and how much.
Do you suck on cloves or take a clove tablet and how much.
Also, what type of mushrooms and how much.
Do you mean all that has got you off of and not needing medications for Mac?
Congratulations, "no drugs now."
Just wondering and would be appreciative for clarification. I am just beginning the learning process with what to do and try to help the constant sputum all day long.
I do not have emphysema nor breathing problems, just the sputum associated with BE which is constant all day long, especially after eating.

Yes I used one for about 3 months last year and it did not seem to help me much either. I then did not want to pack and bring to Florida for the Winter so I turned it in. My Dr. now does want me to try it again, to which I agreed to. Mostly because she put me on another mucus thinning medication (along with albuterol & 7% saline). Now having trouble with insurance coverage for the vest.

I have been using the Smartvest twice a day for six months now and have had no success at all. My doctor would like me to use it while I nebulize saline but I find it too difficult to breathe so I use it immediately after. I’m very frustrated with it but as long as I have the time I will continue to use it hoping one day it will make a difference.

@Ivalenti...Thanks for your input. I am feeling very discouraged with the vest at this point also. I do use it while I nebulize. I was thinking perhaps that it was loosening plugs from the walls of my lungs but I do not see any results.... I am hoping the aerobika will be more effective.
Good luck...Kate

@spider109 Gee...I had not considered a problem in getting coverage for it in the future if I turned it in now. Thanks for that 'heads up.' Guess I'll consider that when I decide whether to return it. It is expensive without insurance help!! Thanks for taking the time to write. Kate

@tracy111869 Thanks for your response. I've had MAC for at least 7 years and hope never to do the big 3 therapy. Trying everything to stay healthy. I am also an avid walker...at least an hour a day at a brisk pace. (big believer in exercising the lungs and body.) Glad you are doing so well. Oh...what about the vinegar? I was using it to keep my blood sugar levels down but am not regular with it. Do you see positive effects on your health...on your lungs? Sending My Best wishes....Kate

What other mucous thinning medication did your doctor prescribe?

I was told by the Smartvest people that we are only allowed one per lifetime. Mine was causing some chest pain but decided to keep it and try again.

Alternative and complimentary medicine can be very helpful in treating chronic conditions. BUT it is not always risk free, and it is important that we consider whether each thing we choose to consume has a good chance of being helpful AND will not put us at risk based on any other conditions we have, and medications we take.

Remember, supplements are not regulated, so you personally need to do your due diligence to make sure you are buying from a company that has them tested in an independent lab.

In the interest of not retyping a long message, please read these comments from another discussion before you embark on any alternative treatments:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/misdiagnosed-mac/?pg=2#comment-989775
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/misdiagnosed-mac/?pg=3#comment-990535

Finally, it is very important to not "generalize" from a small scientific study. For example, if allicin (active ingredient in garlic) is used with antibiotics to treat TB, that does not mean eating garlic will have a beneficial effect on MAC or your lungs. If clove bud oil was evaluated, you cannot assume ground cloves will provide the same benefit, and you have no idea how to convert the amount of active ingredient in the ground cloves (which changes as the powder ages) to match the amount of active ingredient in the fresh oil used in the lab. And especially with vinegar, its use as a surface disinfectant in no way translates to any effect within the body where it must pass through the digestive system. 6% acetic acid was put directly on the surface for 30 minutes, then NTM was measured. If you put 6% vinegar directly into your lungs, you would suffer an acid burn!

Any alternative protocol you propose to use really should be discussed first with your doctor and pharmacist.
Do you do daily airway clearance, with or without saline solution, to try to remove the mucus in your lungs?
Sue