7% Saline in Nebulizer for Mac

Posted by healthybon @healthybon, Mar 7, 2023

Could you all give me your opinion?
I have Mac..don’t know species yet.

I’m new at this but have seen many posts on here about how important it is to clear the mucus. Saline in nebulizer, flutter valve!

I requested that my pulmonary call in a script for the 7% saline to be used in a nebulizer! His response was “just use the flutter valve, the saline could make things worse.”
I have read in this support group that everyone uses the saline and also videos on UTUBE…..etc. I’m confused.
What is your opinion on this?

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

scoop | @scoop | Jun 22, 2024

In reply to @lungproblems2024 "What is "NJH"?" + (show)

National Jewish Health in Denver, CO. Care teams are experts in treating bronchiectasis, MAC among many other respiratory diseases. Several people in this forum travel to NJH for care and treatment because they do not have adequate care locally. Some go for a second opinion. After all, bronchiectasis is somewhat of a rare disease.
https://www.nationaljewish.org/conditions/bronchiectasis

med08 | @med08 | Jun 22, 2024

In reply to @lungproblems2024 "What is "NJH"?" + (show)

So sorry. National Jewish Health in Denver, CO

jenniferlp | @jenniferlp | Feb 17 12:34am

In reply to @sueinmn "@healthybon Welcome to Mayo's MAC community - we are not experts, just people walking your path...." + (show)

@sueinmn Hi Sue, I have been nebulizing with 7% saline solution n it has helped enormously. I am so glad I refused that regime of three antibiotics 3 x a week for 18 months. The previous pulmonologist never even mentioned nebulizing, which speaks to your point. I have a new pulmonologist who recommended nebbing. I also begin with 2 pumps of Albuterol.

jenniferlp | @jenniferlp | Feb 17 12:13pm

In reply to @scoop "National Jewish Health in Denver, CO. Care teams are experts in treating bronchiectasis, MAC among many..." + (show)

@scoop My new pulmonologist had mentioned that some of his patients are treated there; he speaks highly of NJH in Denver.

emilda | @emilda | Feb 18 2:19pm

I have been using 7% saline daily for 5 years, and found it very helpful. I tried 3% saline, and it was less effective, but a little less harsh. I nebulize the saline while using the Vest, and occasionally add a pump of Albuterol.

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Feb 18 3:04pm

In reply to @emilda "I have been using 7% saline daily for 5 years, and found it very helpful. I..." + (show)

@emilda Hello, and thank you for sharing your experience. Like you I have used 7% saline for years, and feel it has helped keep me free of reinfection with MAC and Pseudomonas.

Recently some members have talked about adverse side effects from using hypertonic saline including hoarseness, dry mouth and constipation. Have you had any side effects from the saline? How did you deal with them?

emilda | @emilda | Feb 18 5:02pm

@sueinmn Hi, I have not had those side effects, but I have occasionally found that the 7% saline felt very harsh in my mouth and throat, was almost impossible to complete, and left me with a bad taste in my mouth which took hours to go away. This was aleviated by using 3% for a few days, and then returning to 7%. I thought the side effect might to be related to using 5 mg of Creatine daily in powder form for muscle and brain health, becasue it only began after I started using the Creatine, and I wonder if anyone else has experienced similar problems.