Acapella

A person with bronchiectasis has damaged bronchioles, so the action of the bronchiole and the cilia inside are impaired, and normal breathing and coughing are not enough to expel mucus from the lungs. Accumulated mucus is the ideal dark, warm moist, nutrient-rich environment for the growth of bacteria, leading to opportunistic infections like pseudomonas and the dreaded MAC.

Acapella, and its companion Aerobika are vibratory devices, with a flutter valve, that are used to loosen mucus in the lungs so coughing can expel them. A particular cough, known as the "huff cough" is most effective. The device is often used after a session with a nebulizer, typically containing albuterol or saline to open bronchioles and thin the mucus. Or sometimes after using an inhaler. People with more severe bronchiectasis, or who are unable to bring up mucus are sometimes prescribed a percussion vest instead.

When you were diagnosed, did anyone show you how to use the Acapella, or suggest use of an inhaler or nebulizer? If not, here is an excellent explanation and demonstration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAVQ6CFuNUM
Sue

@sueinmn Thanks so much for your detailed explanation - certainly far more than the doctor said! No suggestion was made re an inhaler or nebulizer. (Any further comment about that?) The doctor did ask the nurse to show me how to use the acapella and they had me use it with them, to make sure I was doing it correctly.

Barbb, your doc’s paltry instruction “session” leads me to think he took lessons from my doc. However, even after learning how to use Acapella I found it pretty anemic; not equal to the task.

So glad Sue chimed in. She, along with several other “moderators” on the forum really know their stuff and share it unstintingly. Don

HI - If you are able to bring up mucus without a nebulizer or inhaler, you are probably doing OK. If not, I would ask about an Rx for one or the other. I started with using the inhaler, but it wasn't much help, but the advice on this group led me to using my neb (which I already owned) and finally, asking for 7% saline to use after or in place of levalbuterol, depending on how my lungs are doing.
Sue

Hello Don! My dr has prescribed an aerobika for me. I still haven't gotten it though. Some say it works better than the acapella. I guess the push hasn't been too much for me to remember to order the darn thing because I have no trouble bringing stuff up. I hope you are having a good day today. Happy Friday!

Hi Terri - If you are OK with the Acapella, there is little reason to switch to Aerobika. My reason was to combine the saline neb with the flutter device, because you connect the cup to the Aerobika directly. Saves me a few minutes - more important when we are travelling and hubby is waiting for me than here at home.
Sue

After posting “ However, even after learning how to use Acapella I found it pretty anemic; not equal to the task,” I discovered that acapella’s aren’t limited to the simple sans nebulizer flutter device that I used before getting a percussion vest. So my remarks about it being “anemic” aren’t pertinent to “nebulizing” Acapellas. Sorry for any confusion I may have created.