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.

becleartoday | @becleartoday | Jan 21 6:13pm
In reply to @reneemc "Is it still considered airway clearance when you nebulize and use the flutter valve and huff..." + (show)
@reneemc

Is it still considered airway clearance when you nebulize and use the flutter valve and huff cough but don’t cough up anything?

Jump to this post

Absolutely!!! Is flossing your teeth still flossing if you don’t remove anything from between your teeth?:)

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1 reply
bbeers | @bbeers | Jan 22 6:21am

Hi Sue, could you explain more about the air way clearance ( what you use) and the use of the saline. It sounds like they are two separate things and I was under the impression that using the nebulizer with the saline was the airway clearance. I haven't started anything yet, no meds and no airway clearance. I see a new Pulmonologist this week and want to be sure I know what I'm talking about with him. Thank you!

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cwal | @cwal | Jan 22 6:46am
In reply to @becleartoday "Absolutely!!! Is flossing your teeth still flossing if you don’t remove anything from between your teeth?:)" + (show)
@becleartoday

Absolutely!!! Is flossing your teeth still flossing if you don’t remove anything from between your teeth?:)

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Good point!

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sisterpulse | @sisterpulse | Jan 22 12:17pm
In reply to @sueinmn "My doc told me if you try everything and nothing comes out, that usually means there..." + (show)
@sueinmn

My doc told me if you try everything and nothing comes out, that usually means there is not enough there to come out. The trick is to not give up - at times, there may be a small amount.

For several days this week, I had no mucus come out, typically when healthy I see maybe a half teaspoon to teaspoon. Suddenly this morning, after my inhaler but before any clearance efforts, I started coughing, and brought up a lot (for me when healthy - more than an ounce of very thick, clear mucus.) It reminded me that with my house disrupted by remodeling, I was lax on my 7% saline nebs. I felt all cleared out after the coughing, and had no urge to cough after 90 minutes of dancing this afternoon, so I'll restart 7% saline tomorrow.
Sue

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Hi Sue
Some good news to share - my December CT thorax results showed a reduction in size of the left upper lobe nodule, from 10mm to 6 mm, so the respiratory consultant will postpone the big 3, unless there is a change in symptoms! Whoopee!
I’m continuing daily ACT using an Acapella, homeopathic remedies, organic raw honey, good diet, and fluids.
Thanks to Mayo connect et al 🤗
The European Lung Foundation Zoom conference on Bronchiectasis will be Sat 23 March 2024.

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2 replies
sweethighland | @sweethighland | Jan 22 4:24pm
In reply to @sisterpulse "Hi Sue Some good news to share - my December CT thorax results showed a reduction..." + (show)
@sisterpulse

Hi Sue
Some good news to share - my December CT thorax results showed a reduction in size of the left upper lobe nodule, from 10mm to 6 mm, so the respiratory consultant will postpone the big 3, unless there is a change in symptoms! Whoopee!
I’m continuing daily ACT using an Acapella, homeopathic remedies, organic raw honey, good diet, and fluids.
Thanks to Mayo connect et al 🤗
The European Lung Foundation Zoom conference on Bronchiectasis will be Sat 23 March 2024.

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How did your Pseudomonas resolve? By itself with ACT or with antibiotics? Thank you for sharing good news! So happy for you. I use Manuka honey too.

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1 reply
judi55 | @judi55 | Jan 22 6:40pm
In reply to @sueinmn "My doc told me if you try everything and nothing comes out, that usually means there..." + (show)
@sueinmn

My doc told me if you try everything and nothing comes out, that usually means there is not enough there to come out. The trick is to not give up - at times, there may be a small amount.

For several days this week, I had no mucus come out, typically when healthy I see maybe a half teaspoon to teaspoon. Suddenly this morning, after my inhaler but before any clearance efforts, I started coughing, and brought up a lot (for me when healthy - more than an ounce of very thick, clear mucus.) It reminded me that with my house disrupted by remodeling, I was lax on my 7% saline nebs. I felt all cleared out after the coughing, and had no urge to cough after 90 minutes of dancing this afternoon, so I'll restart 7% saline tomorrow.
Sue

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I cough rarely thanks to learning here of airway clearance but have never been prescribed a nebulizer. Is this something that I should do with 7% saline just as a precaution?

REPLY
sisterpulse | @sisterpulse | Jan 23 3:07am
In reply to @sweethighland "How did your Pseudomonas resolve? By itself with ACT or with antibiotics? Thank you for sharing..." + (show)
@sweethighland

How did your Pseudomonas resolve? By itself with ACT or with antibiotics? Thank you for sharing good news! So happy for you. I use Manuka honey too.

Jump to this post

Hi
The pseudomonas was treated with colymycin 10,000 units via a pari nebuliser with 2% saline twice day for 10 weeks.
In March, I will have a test dose of 7% saline and a spirometry test with an NHS (UK ) respiratory physiotherapist, as it can cause bronchoconstriction.
I have ‘moderate’ Bronchiectasis and ( allergic Asthma ) so will be having regular monitoring with CT scans and sputum bacteriology for NTM.
ACT will be ongoing to help remove the the mucous and reduce the risk of severe infection, hopefully.

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hwdavis | @hwdavis | Jan 23 8:44am
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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I'm new here and newly diagnosed so I'm not familiar with many of these treatments. What is the saline treatment and NAC.

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1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jan 23 10:39am
In reply to @hwdavis "I'm new here and newly diagnosed so I'm not familiar with many of these treatments. What..." + (show)
@hwdavis

I'm new here and newly diagnosed so I'm not familiar with many of these treatments. What is the saline treatment and NAC.

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Welcome - I decided the best way to Connect you with some resources is to refer you to this discussion:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/resources-for-the-abcs-on-bronchiectasis-and-mac-ntm

You will find a great deal of helpful information which will probably lead to a lot more questions - feel free to ask anyone here!

Have you been diagnosed with any infection in conjunction with Bronchiectasis? Are you seeing a pulmonologist?
Sue

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hwdavis | @hwdavis | Jan 23 10:59am

I've been diagnosed with MAC but because of age and no significant lung issues we've chosen not to treat at this time. I'm having follow-up CT scans every few months. Should things change I'm sure we'll have to address it then. They're treating me for uncontrolled asthma with Dupixent but I've just started it so I'm not sure if it's helping or not.

Thank you for the link to other information.

I am seeing a pulmonologist. I was sent to an immunologist because my numbers were low. Thankfully I saw this site because he advised me to do water walking at an indoor pool. Obviously that wouldn't be good for my lungs, maybe for my weight. We have to be our own advocate.

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