Aerobika

I had been using my nebulizer followed by the vest. Never been able to loosen mucous up in my chest. About a month ago I bought the Aerobika and use it with my nebulizer to deliver the medication. Afterwards I use the vest. I can now see a difference.

@l1954 Can you describe what your current airway clearance routine is, beyond using the nebulizer?

I use nebulizer and Aerobika together and then follow with 20 min with my vest. The nebulizer+Aerobika really helps with bringing up mucus. I don't get much mucus up with the vest but I still use it thinking it is helping on some level. I use 7% hypertonic saline.

Sure, xyzal, Albuterol, Breztri, saline nasal irrigation, Flonase Propionate. That is what I do before the nebulizer. It doesn't help to get the mucus up.

do u use the albuterol for cough and if so does it work for you?

I think so. The Aerobika splints open our airways and the vibration sheers the mucus off the walls. I find it’s important to take my time and not cough or exhale too strongly. That can cause airways to collapse and make it more difficult to expel secretions. Easy does it!
Linda Esposito

@sueinmn A good tip that I heard while watching one of the videos Sue posted is the importance of the breath hold before huff cough.

The respirologist was explaining the different airway techniques and emphasized the importance of holding your breath between the inhale and huff cough.

I had thought that holding one’s breath for 4 or 5 seconds is standard, but he suggested that if we can hold our breath to a count of 10 or so, it can help produce more sputum when we huff cough afterwards. I’ve noticed the difference. I use postural drainage and a few breathing exercises and the longer breath hold does work over a session. I vary it up.

I wonder if people who have trouble with expelling sputum might just benefit from the longer breath hold too? The video was well worth the time to view it.

Is there a link to the video?

Here it is - long but very worthwhile.
In addition to the breath-holding, Dr McShane has several other valuable suggestions, like how exercise can stimulate the lungs and help airway clearance.

The next step - after nebulizing - is to do active airway clearance. There are many ways to do it, and the reasons are explained very clearly in this video: