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Bronchiectasis, airway clearance & cataract surgery

Posted by raney @raney, Feb 26, 2023

I am concerned about cataract surgery and airway clearance 2 or more times a day, I have copious amounts of thick mucus every day and can't have my lungs lower than stomach due to hernia. I lean over the bathroom sink or coughing and drainage.
I would like to know others experience with cataract surgery and airway clearance? Docs say no problem, but the do no have the disease! I not want to dislodge the lens or cause bleeding in the eyes

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cjsummer13 | @cjsummer13 | May 10 1:05pm
In reply to @crepass "I had cataract surgery x2 in the fall (6 weeks apart) . I skipped airway clearance..." + (show)
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I had cataract surgery x2 in the fall (6 weeks apart) . I skipped airway clearance on surgery days. I ate lightly after surgery and avoided cold water. I just coughed if i had too , but only enough to clear . It seemed to work ok.

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@crepass
I was wondering when you started back with your normal routine. I’m six days in after the surgery and haven’t used the aerobika yet. I cough a little in the morning as the mucus seems to be right there. Sometimes it’s hard to hold back a good cough. I usually use the aerobika twice a day. Any information would help.
Thank you.

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Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | May 10 7:55pm
In reply to @cjsummer13 "@crepass I was wondering when you started back with your normal routine. I’m six days in..." + (show)
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@crepass
I was wondering when you started back with your normal routine. I’m six days in after the surgery and haven’t used the aerobika yet. I cough a little in the morning as the mucus seems to be right there. Sometimes it’s hard to hold back a good cough. I usually use the aerobika twice a day. Any information would help.
Thank you.

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@cjsummer13 I too have had cataract surgery since my bronchiectasis was diagnosed. My pulmonologist said a 3 day break should be long enough unless there were complications from the surgery.
If you are using the Aerobika correctly, there should be no impact on your recent surgery. The correct method is shown by the manufacturer in this video:


Your exhalation should be slow and steady, not forceful. It is not like the spiromemter where you blow out fast and hard.

Then huff cough afterwards - again, this is not a forceful action. Here is a demo I like to offer:


Did you ask either of your doctors how long you should pause your routine?

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crepass | @crepass | May 11 7:24am
In reply to @cjsummer13 "@crepass I was wondering when you started back with your normal routine. I’m six days in..." + (show)
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@crepass
I was wondering when you started back with your normal routine. I’m six days in after the surgery and haven’t used the aerobika yet. I cough a little in the morning as the mucus seems to be right there. Sometimes it’s hard to hold back a good cough. I usually use the aerobika twice a day. Any information would help.
Thank you.

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@cjsummer13 . I don’t remember, but I’m sure it was only a day or 2. Sue’s information is so helpful. airway clearance is still a mainstay even after being on brinsupri for nine months.

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11565lady | @11565lady | May 11 8:37am
In reply to @crepass "@cjsummer13 . I don’t remember, but I’m sure it was only a day or 2. Sue’s..." + (show)
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@cjsummer13 . I don’t remember, but I’m sure it was only a day or 2. Sue’s information is so helpful. airway clearance is still a mainstay even after being on brinsupri for nine months.

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@crepass I had cataract surgery a couple of months ago and I continued to do airway clearance but did not use the Vest until I was given the OK to resume exercise. I did continue to nebulize saline and use the AerobiKA. My surgery was successful and I am soon scheduled to do the other eye.

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crepass | @crepass | May 11 10:18am
In reply to @11565lady "@crepass I had cataract surgery a couple of months ago and I continued to do airway..." + (show)
Profile picture for 11565lady @11565lady

@crepass I had cataract surgery a couple of months ago and I continued to do airway clearance but did not use the Vest until I was given the OK to resume exercise. I did continue to nebulize saline and use the AerobiKA. My surgery was successful and I am soon scheduled to do the other eye.

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@11565lady - good to know. I am curious about the vest. My doc has convinced me that a vest may be what I need to “clear” mucus from deeper lung spaces that show up on my ct scans. Have you had improved “ct scans” with use of the vest?
or less exacerbations?

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11565lady | @11565lady | May 11 11:05am

I have had a vest for a very long time. Probably close to 15-20 years. My scans wax and wane and I have had NTM infections, COVID, etc so I am not convinced it is better than the AerobIKA. So I use it in the Am and the AerobiKa in the pm. Both with Saline. Since starting Brinsupri I have less sputum but that varies according to pollen and dust allergies . If your insurance covers it, it is worth a try since it is very expensive otherwise.

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Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | May 11 9:45pm
In reply to @crepass "@11565lady - good to know. I am curious about the vest. My doc has convinced me..." + (show)
Profile picture for crepass @crepass

@11565lady - good to know. I am curious about the vest. My doc has convinced me that a vest may be what I need to “clear” mucus from deeper lung spaces that show up on my ct scans. Have you had improved “ct scans” with use of the vest?
or less exacerbations?

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@crepass Would you mind posting this as a new discussion? I believe you will get a lot of valuable feedback, for yourself and others.

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crepass | @crepass | May 12 6:41pm

Will do. “thumper” was such a helpful and uplifting part of this blog when I first started on this bronchiectasis journey…and he always talked about his “thumper vest”. 😂

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