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Mentor

7% Saline Success Story that warmed my heart.

Posted by Sue, Volunteer Mentor @sueinmn, Jan 8 8:37pm

Last year, I met a woman at our winter church who has had MAI (MAC) and Bronchiectasis for years, and had a horrible chronic cough. When she heard that #1 I knew what it was, and #2 I was on Mayo Connect, she started asking questions.
Over many conversations and text messages I convinced her to give 7% saline and airway clearance a try. Her doctor here never heard of it, so her husband ordered it on Amazon & she started using it daily.

Yesterday, she was waiting by my usual pew when I arrived at church and said to me, "I need to hug you. You saved my life!" She went on to explain she convinced her pulmonologist back home to order it, got Medicare to pay for it, and used it twice a day for months. By Fall, she was down to 5 times a week, and now she uses it twice a week (but daily airway clearance.)

Here was her story - in 2022 she was on antibiotics and/or steroids 19 times. She coughed a lot during the day, all night long, and whenever she tried to exert herself.
In 2023, she had ZERO exacerbations requiring antibiotics or steroids. She coughs far less (they used incense in our service, I was hacking up a lung, and she only coughed once or twice.) Her lung function improved 12% between her Spring appointment and December. She has been able to regain a little weight.

This is a lot like my experience with 7% saline and rigorous daily airway clearance. I made it through 2023 with one exacerbation that required steroids, no antibiotics. My lung function has held steady for 4 years using only airway clearance & saline. In my case I also use oral NAC and Mucinex because I have very "sticky" mucus and it helps keep it thin enough to expel.

Has anyone else managed to "ditch the Big 3" by using airway clearance and saline?
Sue

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

Christine | @thisoldewe | Jan 8 8:56pm

What an uplifting story! Well done you for making that connection.
We usually never know how we have effected &/or benefitted another. Yet, our connections with one another us so vital.
So happy for her improvement!

REPLY
cwal | @cwal | Jan 9 7:10am

Great story! Glad you shared that. Where do you get oral NAC? I thought it was prescription only?

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1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jan 9 8:43am
In reply to @cwal "Great story! Glad you shared that. Where do you get oral NAC? I thought it was..." + (show)
@cwal

Great story! Glad you shared that. Where do you get oral NAC? I thought it was prescription only?

Jump to this post

I buy the NOW brand (not a promo - just it works for me) online. I used to use Jarrow, but they quit making it a few years ago, so had to look for another reputable source.
Bought another brand and it didn't seem to work the same - later found out they were a company "repackaging and rebranding" bulk supplement from overseas, and upon testing some of their stuff wasn't as advertised. This is just one example of "buyer beware" when it comes to supplements - don't go with the lowest price or an unknown brand. I look for a US company with independently inspected facilities. There are several others beside NOW.
I use 600 mg twice a day.
Sue

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6 replies
lenorj | @lenorj | Jan 9 10:40am

What brand of 7% saline from Amazon do you use?

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1 reply
AZ | @equanimous | Jan 9 12:11pm

I have been holding off on the Big 3 due to fear of side effects. I have MAC and BE. I had a terrible cough, and very thick, sticky mucus. Since nebulizing with 7% hypertonic saline and taking 600mg NAC (N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine) and Guaifenesin 1200 Mg Extended Release Tablets 2x per day, my cough has decreased dramatically and my mucus has thinned out, making it easier to expel. This may not work for everyone but I am so grateful to have learned about these options from this group and, especially from you, Sue. Thank you!

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1 reply
minute22 | @minute22 | Jan 10 6:34am
In reply to @sueinmn "I buy the NOW brand (not a promo - just it works for me) online. I..." + (show)
@sueinmn

I buy the NOW brand (not a promo - just it works for me) online. I used to use Jarrow, but they quit making it a few years ago, so had to look for another reputable source.
Bought another brand and it didn't seem to work the same - later found out they were a company "repackaging and rebranding" bulk supplement from overseas, and upon testing some of their stuff wasn't as advertised. This is just one example of "buyer beware" when it comes to supplements - don't go with the lowest price or an unknown brand. I look for a US company with independently inspected facilities. There are several others beside NOW.
I use 600 mg twice a day.
Sue

Jump to this post

Thanks Sue for the info. Do you take the NAC before you nebulize with saline?

REPLY
donnaturn | @donnaturn | Jan 10 8:47am
In reply to @sueinmn "I buy the NOW brand (not a promo - just it works for me) online. I..." + (show)
@sueinmn

I buy the NOW brand (not a promo - just it works for me) online. I used to use Jarrow, but they quit making it a few years ago, so had to look for another reputable source.
Bought another brand and it didn't seem to work the same - later found out they were a company "repackaging and rebranding" bulk supplement from overseas, and upon testing some of their stuff wasn't as advertised. This is just one example of "buyer beware" when it comes to supplements - don't go with the lowest price or an unknown brand. I look for a US company with independently inspected facilities. There are several others beside NOW.
I use 600 mg twice a day.
Sue

Jump to this post

I should know the answer to this, but I'm still not clear exactly what airway clearance is. I do nebulize levalbuterol and saline and take mucinex every day and take a brisk walk 4-5 days a week, but I'm concerned that I'm missing something. Thanks! Donna

REPLY
lbramirez | @lbramirez | Jan 10 10:05am
In reply to @sueinmn "I buy the NOW brand (not a promo - just it works for me) online. I..." + (show)
@sueinmn

I buy the NOW brand (not a promo - just it works for me) online. I used to use Jarrow, but they quit making it a few years ago, so had to look for another reputable source.
Bought another brand and it didn't seem to work the same - later found out they were a company "repackaging and rebranding" bulk supplement from overseas, and upon testing some of their stuff wasn't as advertised. This is just one example of "buyer beware" when it comes to supplements - don't go with the lowest price or an unknown brand. I look for a US company with independently inspected facilities. There are several others beside NOW.
I use 600 mg twice a day.
Sue

Jump to this post

My naturopath put me on this brand of NAC, I take first thing in the morning, and just before bed on an empty stomach with a large glass of water. I take Mucinex 12hr at the same time.

Thank you for the encouraging story and the info.

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