1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis
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.

@ling | @wangling | Jan 10 10:43am

Hi Sue,
Can you elaberate on your rigorous daily airway clearance?

Thanks!
Ling

REPLY
1 reply
isabellad | @isabellad | Jan 11 8:18am
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

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Can you please explain what NAC is and what it does for your body?

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jan 11 9:33am
In reply to @wangling "Hi Sue, Can you elaberate on your rigorous daily airway clearance? Thanks! Ling" + (show)
@wangling

Hi Sue,
Can you elaberate on your rigorous daily airway clearance?

Thanks!
Ling

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& @isabellad May I beg your indulgence until this weekend, when I will try to return with explanations for both of you? My schedule is very full today and tomorrow and I can't do justice to either response.
Sue

REPLY
@ling | @wangling | Jan 11 10:00am

of course and take care.

ling

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1 reply
isabellad | @isabellad | Jan 11 5:34pm
In reply to @equanimous "I have been holding off on the Big 3 due to fear of side effects. I..." + (show)
@equanimous

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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I’m starting the 7% solution tomorrow. Are there any side effects with the higher % ( from the 3% solution? )

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1 reply
Arlo | @equanimous | Jan 11 6:03pm
In reply to @isabellad "I’m starting the 7% solution tomorrow. Are there any side effects with the higher % (..." + (show)
@isabellad

I’m starting the 7% solution tomorrow. Are there any side effects with the higher % ( from the 3% solution? )

Jump to this post

Hi Isabella, I can only speak for myself. I had no problem going from 3% to 7%. Just know, however, that the 7% may cause you to cough, which it does me. I look at that as positive because what I am coughing up is mucus and that is the whole point of airway clearance. Besides that benefit, the 7% creates a very uncomfortable environment for that nasty MAC bacteria. Good luck and keep us posted on how it goes for you.

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1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jan 14 11:18am
In reply to @wangling "of course and take care. ling" + (show)
@wangling

of course and take care.

ling

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Good morning, Ling -
Here is my daily routine:
Inhaler first thing in AM with my morning meds and a small bite of breakfast. Meds include 600mg of long-acting guaifenesin (Mucinex) and 600 mg NAC.
30-45 minutes of gentle yoga, or stretching & a brisk 15 minute walk - depending on weather and day of the week.
Deep breathing 3-4 minutes then airway clearance with Aerobika for 10 cycles or until nothing more comes. 1-2 times a week 7% saline before this, or if I am feeling tight or congested. (I used to use every day, but find I don't need that often now unless I have a respiratory bug or an asthma attack.)
Later in the day, another short brisk walk or 15-20 minutes of vigorous house or yard work, then maybe Aerobika again. (Sometime just the exertion is enough and I can cough stuff up.) I usually do this session leaning over from the waist and more junk comes out. My friends are used to me interrupting outings to cough for 5-6 minutes.
Bedtime - my inhaler again and evening meds, again including guaifenesin and Mucinex. Then 3-4 minutes of deep relaxation breathing when I lie down in bed. This will bring on coughing of there is more mucus to get up, so I sit on side of bed and huff cough until it clears. This helps me sleep through the night.

So, you can see each of my sessions is short but targeted, and I have figure out how to fit into my day with minimum disruption.
Sue

REPLY
2 replies
@ling | @wangling | Jan 14 12:23pm
In reply to @sueinmn "Good morning, Ling - Here is my daily routine: Inhaler first thing in AM with my..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Good morning, Ling -
Here is my daily routine:
Inhaler first thing in AM with my morning meds and a small bite of breakfast. Meds include 600mg of long-acting guaifenesin (Mucinex) and 600 mg NAC.
30-45 minutes of gentle yoga, or stretching & a brisk 15 minute walk - depending on weather and day of the week.
Deep breathing 3-4 minutes then airway clearance with Aerobika for 10 cycles or until nothing more comes. 1-2 times a week 7% saline before this, or if I am feeling tight or congested. (I used to use every day, but find I don't need that often now unless I have a respiratory bug or an asthma attack.)
Later in the day, another short brisk walk or 15-20 minutes of vigorous house or yard work, then maybe Aerobika again. (Sometime just the exertion is enough and I can cough stuff up.) I usually do this session leaning over from the waist and more junk comes out. My friends are used to me interrupting outings to cough for 5-6 minutes.
Bedtime - my inhaler again and evening meds, again including guaifenesin and Mucinex. Then 3-4 minutes of deep relaxation breathing when I lie down in bed. This will bring on coughing of there is more mucus to get up, so I sit on side of bed and huff cough until it clears. This helps me sleep through the night.

So, you can see each of my sessions is short but targeted, and I have figure out how to fit into my day with minimum disruption.
Sue

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Hi Sue,
Thanks a million for such a detailed note about your daily routine. I learned so much from you and some others in this community. As you can see, I don't want to miss anything from your experiences as I navigate my condition. I am going to Hawaii for a vacation tomorrow and want to make sure I am doing a good job for airway clearance. Last year we cancelled our annual trip to Hawaii because based on the research, mycrobaterium is more prevalent there. As I learn more about this disease, I am gaining confidence in managing it. The information I learned from this community gives me the power of living a normal life. Last year we took 5 road trips and 2 fly trips. Going to Hawaii will mark the resumption of my normal life. I am very grateful to all the experiences you shared.
Take care!
Ling

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jan 14 4:58pm
In reply to @isabellad "Can you please explain what NAC is and what it does for your body?" + (show)
@isabellad

Can you please explain what NAC is and what it does for your body?

Jump to this post

Hello Isabella, and thank you for your patience in waiting for my response.
NAC (N Acetyl Cysteine) is an amino acid, which the body converts to glutathione. Glutathione is an antioxidant, which is thought to have a beneficial effect in the lungs, relieving inflammation (which frequently accompanies infections.) It also functions as a mucolytic, helping to thin mucus, which people with bronchiectasis usually have problems expelling. Thinning and expelling the mucus is crucial as it provides an ideal growth medium for bacteria in the dark, warm and moist environment in our lungs.
A trial is underway studying the effects of glutathione to try to quantify the benefits more exactly. I believe results are due in 2025 sometime.

What do I find? That using the combination of inhaler, NAC, glutathione, 7% saline, exercise and airway clearance (described above in my response to ling) I have managed to stay quite healthy for the past 4 years. I have had to resort to nebulized levalbuterol, oral & nebulized steroids and short-term antibiotics just a few times. My Bronchiectasis is described as moderate, complicated by moderate asthma, and I was on antibiotics for 1 1/2 years in 2018-2019 without ever getting a clean sputum culture, but my lung condition did improve.

Everyone is different, so you must work with your doctors to find a plan that keeps you as healthy as possible. What is your current routine?
Sue

REPLY
1 reply
isabellad | @isabellad | Jan 15 7:42pm
In reply to @sueinmn "Hello Isabella, and thank you for your patience in waiting for my response. NAC (N Acetyl..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Hello Isabella, and thank you for your patience in waiting for my response.
NAC (N Acetyl Cysteine) is an amino acid, which the body converts to glutathione. Glutathione is an antioxidant, which is thought to have a beneficial effect in the lungs, relieving inflammation (which frequently accompanies infections.) It also functions as a mucolytic, helping to thin mucus, which people with bronchiectasis usually have problems expelling. Thinning and expelling the mucus is crucial as it provides an ideal growth medium for bacteria in the dark, warm and moist environment in our lungs.
A trial is underway studying the effects of glutathione to try to quantify the benefits more exactly. I believe results are due in 2025 sometime.

What do I find? That using the combination of inhaler, NAC, glutathione, 7% saline, exercise and airway clearance (described above in my response to ling) I have managed to stay quite healthy for the past 4 years. I have had to resort to nebulized levalbuterol, oral & nebulized steroids and short-term antibiotics just a few times. My Bronchiectasis is described as moderate, complicated by moderate asthma, and I was on antibiotics for 1 1/2 years in 2018-2019 without ever getting a clean sputum culture, but my lung condition did improve.

Everyone is different, so you must work with your doctors to find a plan that keeps you as healthy as possible. What is your current routine?
Sue

Jump to this post

Sue,
Thank you so much for your detailed explanation.
As for me, I nebulize with abuteral and 7% saline twice daily. (I just started with the 7% ) I finish off with the Aerobica. I take Mucinex once daily in addition to a few more meds.
I exercise at least 5 x weekly and eat healthy.
Although I have had bronchiectasis for at least 8 years, I have just been diagnosed with MAC. I have not had any symptoms in the past and I feel well and energetic.
Dr. wants me on the 3 antibiotics but I have been resistant and fearful of the side effects.
We’re waiting another month until I get a CT scan.

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