7% Saline in Nebulizer for Mac

I see the saline as keeping your lungs clean, it's an aid and the idea is to loosen mucus in order to expel it. The mucus is the host to NTM. I don't believe saline can kill it, but once you've got rid of the NTM, it helps keep them clear.

You may also be interested in these related discussions:
- How to buy Hypertonic saline 7% without prescription? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-to-buy-hypertonic-saline-7-without-prescription/
- 7% Saline...Yipee: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/7-saline-yipee/

Hi Sue and Members of our Community,
The group that you mentor and the group itself has been a major support to me since joining just recently and I'm learning everyday on how best to take care of myself with MAC and Bronchiectasis Support
I was dx with MAC last 6/22 and have had a history of COPD with bronchiectasis since 2010. Started 2 of the Big 3, Azithromycin and Ethambutol on 6/17/22 because of an early stage 1a, IDC breast Cancer and could not start the Rifampin until 10/22 when chemo treatments were completed. The cough and postnasal drip were always my chief complaints. The cough however became chronic in early December, and a real problem with coughing fits DAY AND NIGHT 3 times an hour for up to 30 seconds non stop, with clear or white sputum. I was offered a short dose of Prednisone 20 MG in early 1/23 and by the 7th day, the cough was gone FOR 3 WEEKS,. In mid Feb, the cough returned stronger then ever and with another dose of Prednisone, this time 40 mg, the cough was gone in 2 days, 2/22/23 to be exact. On 3/8, the itchy cough came back and appears to be getting stronger like it was in the Fall. I called the Pulmonologist today and waiting for a call back. I'm beginning to wonder if I'm allergic to perhaps the Rifampin (dose: 2 300 Mg Caps) which I have to go off when I take Prednisone? Or perhaps there is some other allergic reaction to the meds that I take.
With the exception of these non-stop coughing fits, I'm managing well. The cough starts with an itch, while I,m eating or simply talking on the telephone, or bending or not doing anything at all. I'm considered an active and functional senior with MAC, Bronchiectasis and Emphysema, however, this crazy cough is so bad now that I'm afraid to set up tennis games or go to exercise classes or even social events....as the coughing fits make folks feel afraid for me. I have a call into my Pulmonologist office today and a set appointment on 3/24 with the Chief Doctor at Weill Cornell. Any thoughts or strategies on my situation would be greatly appreciated? Would anyone recommend that I take allergy otc meds?

I believe it provides an inhospitable environment for further growth. The reason sea water is safe for swimming (for those vulnerable to NTM infection), is it has a 3% salinity, which is above the tolerance mycobacteria have for survival and reproduction.

My colony count went from over 200 down to under 20, once I started nebbing with 7% saline.

Hi Karen,
I also was diagnosed about 5 yrs ago with MAC & bronchiectasis. I have never taken the big 3 & didn’t start nebulizing saline for 2 yrs. I started with 3% but later switched to 7% after reading many positive posts on this forum. The 7% did irritate my throat so I mixed it with 3% for a couple of months. Ironically I had very frequent hemoptysis when I started nebulizing. Over time it became less frequent & in 2022 I only coughed up blood twice. I believe the 7% has helped me ward off further damage to my lungs. Hang in there & take care! Linda

As a real novice in this group and to treatment, I'll share that this sounds like the kind of coughing I was doing last year when the pulmonologist diagnosed H-infulenzae. I couldn't change position, lie down, sit up, talk, or eat without triggering a coughing fit. After a week on Doxycyline I mostly cough while doing airway clearance. MAC diagnosis came back a few weeks later from the same sample, but since cough and fatigue are so much better, for now I'm just doing airway clearance.
Anna

Thanks, Anna!
I will mention this to my Doctors and ask to be tested....I will also research and review past updates, as I remember you or another member mentioning
H-infulenzae.
Best,
Flo@frankie160

Thanks all for sharing your experiences with the 7%; they were reassuring. I'm determined to use all measures to decrease the MAC and hold off on antibiotics as long as possible. Currently looking into the SmartVest.
Karen

Thanks so much for the wealth of information. I have been learning so much from this blog. I am making it my business to search out doctors who are familiar with MAC. After I meet with upcoming infectious disease Dr, I am considering an appointment with expert at Univ. NC chapel Hill.

Hi, I'm new to this forum. I was diagnosed with NSCLC in January, 2024, had a thoracostomy in February to remove the Left Lower Lobe (stage 1B) and started on Osimertinib (Tagrisso) in April to prevent recurrence. That said, at the same time I was diagnosed via bronchoscopy, it was discovered I had MAC, a double whammy for me. I am working with a pulmonary oncologist and a pulmonologist at Duke for my cancer and MAC respectively. I am a never smoker and retired nurse and read about 7% saline to reduce MAC burden and asked my pulmonologist to increase my dose from 3% to 7% which he willingly did. I started it with the usual irritation, but have pursued it twice a day for a month now and it becomes easier. I precede my nebulization with taking a menthol cough drop (Fisherman's Friend) that seems to ease the process. I will have a lung CT on May 30 and hope to see a little lung improvement. I am very active although "old" (83), and swim 1500 yards 3 times a week which should help. I am interested in avoiding triple antibiotic therapy which my oncologist would like to avoid too due to interactions and side effects with Osimertinib. We'll see.