Bronchiectasis: Is nebulizing helpful?

It's that old answer again, it depends.

I can only share what I have learned over time, from my pulmonologist and I'D doc, my family, on Mayo Connect and from studying the many videos and reports from National Jewish Health.

I was diagnosed with Bronchiectasis while I had severe pneumonia, a combination of Pseudomonas and MAC. The treatment consisted of multiple, serial courses of antibiotics, inhalers, and duoneb nebs to open my lungs and an airway clearance device. At one point I also used nebulized tobramycin.

Gradually I transitioned to nebulized albuterol as needed with instead of duoneb. I never had a problem getting up copious sputum until my infection lessened, then I started using .9% saline.

Here on Connect I learned about 7% saline and my docs agreed to try it. Then, still positive for MAC I needed to stop the antibiotics. We continued the saline neb, with inhalers and airway clearance to keep my lungs clear. I still use it and it got me through an exacerbation without pneumonia or antibiotics.

My daughter and husband, on the other hand, have milder cases of Bronchiectasis, have never had MAC, and only neb if they have a cold or bronchitis, or if they need their asthma neb. They don't even do airway clearance every day.

I hope we hear of other people's experiences. What is your Bronchiectasis story?

Sue

I have had bronchiectasis for 40 years. I only began nebulizing in the last few months. I have and still use multiple inhalers and antibiotics when I get infection. I got so I couldn’t clear my lungs and my coughing was out of control. It is helping.

It's that old answer again, it depends.

I can only share what I have learned over time, from my pulmonologist and I'D doc, my family, on Mayo Connect and from studying the many videos and reports from National Jewish Health.

I was diagnosed with Bronchiectasis while I had severe pneumonia, a combination of Pseudomonas and MAC. The treatment consisted of multiple, serial courses of antibiotics, inhalers, and duoneb nebs to open my lungs and an airway clearance device. At one point I also used nebulized tobramycin.

Gradually I transitioned to nebulized albuterol as needed with instead of duoneb. I never had a problem getting up copious sputum until my infection lessened, then I started using .9% saline.

Here on Connect I learned about 7% saline and my docs agreed to try it. Then, still positive for MAC I needed to stop the antibiotics. We continued the saline neb, with inhalers and airway clearance to keep my lungs clear. I still use it and it got me through an exacerbation without pneumonia or antibiotics.

My daughter and husband, on the other hand, have milder cases of Bronchiectasis, have never had MAC, and only neb if they have a cold or bronchitis, or if they need their asthma neb. They don't even do airway clearance every day.

I hope we hear of other people's experiences. What is your Bronchiectasis story?

Sue

Thanks for sharing that. What do you use in your nebulizer?
Sue

I developed a persistent cough in 2018 that would not go away. It was to the point that I could hardly carry on a conversation without coughing. After my medical doctor ordered a CT scan of my chest I ended up seeing a pulmonologist. He felt sure from viewing my CT that I had MAC. I had a bronchoscopy and he performed cultures/washings and it did not show MAC positive. He began me on the nebulizer with 3% saline and I had little production. He then ordered the percussion vest which does help immensely. From this wonderful forum I learned about 7% saline and have been using it for about 9 months now. I use 7% in the morning and 3% in the afternoon. I have to buy the 7% myself as the doc will not prescribe it saying it may cause bronchospasm. I have printed out information from this site to take to him on my next visit about the 7% saline results. Using the 7% saline helps me feel that at least I am keeping the MAC at bay by creating a hostile environment. I just wondered if my chest xray appearance of the bronchiectasis presents differently from my friend since she does not nebulize. I guess I just assumed that nebulizing and bronchiectasis goes hand in hand.

Gej, Seems to me you have a good understanding of your situation and the ability to articulate your thoughts clearly. You might lead along the lines of “Let me tell you how I’m thinking about this.” Don

I was diagnosed with mild Bronchiectasis and wasn’t told to nebulize at first. From this forum, I learned about the 7% saline ( and many other things!). I nebulize daily in hopes of keeping my lungs as healthy as can be. I can bring up sputum that I couldn’t bring up before nebulizing.

I agree. I am so happy to have found this forum, don't remember how, but it has taught me how serious and complicated MAC can be and how much difficulty others are going through. I nebulize too in hopes of keeping my lungs as healthy as can be. Also began wearing a mask if mulching outside or planting. I don't normally work outside anymore but recently had to when my husband had surgery. I check all the mail when nebulizing. It passes time and educates me!