Airway clearance successful techniques

Good morning @sharonednaramsey,
First off, are you nebulizing with saline? That is a must.
Second, I think most folks here will say they have had to experiment because everyone's bronchiectasis and/or MAC is different. Different severity, different locations in the lungs.
I could only get up enough phlegm for testing after seeing a respiratory therapist (or as my doctors prefer "chest therapist").
My aerobika did nothing, postural therapy did nothing, but saline nebulizing + smartvest are successful. Mixed results with vests among folks here but more than a few have good results.

@sharonednaramsey, have you tried cardio? Exercising after saline nebbing is the most helpful for airway clearance.
Best wishes of great health for all of us!

No but will

@lvnl yes but wondering if my 3% is right. Everyone mentions 7% saline here

When I went from a all-purpose pulmonologist to a Bronchiectasis specialist they changed me from 3% to 7%. It might be more helpful in getting phlegm up. Some people find it harsh on the throat at first - I did. But you can get used to it. I alternate sips of hot tea and ice water while I'm nebulizing which calmed the initial irritation.

I was at 3% with a regular pulmo and have only seen the BE specialist twice so I will get him to change it. Thank you

@sharonednaramsey Just wanted to say that I noticed a very big difference switching from 3% saline to 7%. I couldn't cough up much with the 3% but the 7% seems to really work well for me.

@gigiv I completely agree! I have been a daily jogger most of my adulthood but had cut back a two years ago for about 9 months prior to my problems. I often wonder if the jogging kept my lungs clear because after I stopped I developed mucus plugs, then pneumonia and finally a diagnosis of bronchiectasis. After I recovered from pneumonia I got back into jogging daily. It feels like an additional nebulizing treatment for me. I also do airway clearance breathing and have not had any issues for close to two years. Exercise if you can!

Many of us are successful nebulizing with 7% hypertonic saline and have not been significantly bothered with irritation. It would be a great think to ask your doctor about.

@ejr
Because I have gastritis,, i only can use NS, cannot use 7% it burns my throat and stomach but its supposed to be best