First time for using nebulizer breathing treatments for bronchiectasis

Posted by Stella Tucson @fraytv, Feb 16, 2023

I was hospitalized twice within 2 months for pneumonia. This was my first episode after being diagnosed with bronchiectasis in 2019. My dr prescribed nebulizer -sodium chloride 7% inhalation 2x daily am & pm, albuterol 2.5 mg/3ml (0.83) inhalation 2x daily am & pm, & Breo 100/25 inhaler 1x daily, which I have always used since it came out on the market, & continue to use flutter valve after each treatment. My question is which do you use first & do you space them apart, how many hours between breathing treatments or is it ok to use one right after the other? I am 71 years old, was a very active person who liked to hike & walk. I am now on oxygen & using a walker, I hope to get my active life back. Thank you for any responses & stay well!

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I am new on this forum so I don’t how to edit my post, I was diagnosed in 2009 instead of 2019 with bronchiestasis.

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I also do the same as you my routine goes like this nebulize with albuterol, followed by 7% saline, then flutter valve 20-30 times. The first time is between 7-8 am daily. Around 1-2pm I usually take 2-3 puffs of my rescue inhaler inhaler of albuterol if needed, which I usually do. Then around 6:00pm another nebulizer treatment the same as a.m. following that I take Annoro Elipta not Breo, to help me through the night while I sleep.

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Thank you for the reply. Do you space your nebulizer breathing treatments apart (hours) or do you do one immediately following the other?

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I use my nebulizer with saline and Aerobika at the same time. Inhale/exhale 10 times then 2 huff puffs and cough clear mucus. Repeat at least 10 minutes.

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@fraytv

I am new on this forum so I don’t how to edit my post, I was diagnosed in 2009 instead of 2019 with bronchiestasis.

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After you you comment you can edit at the bottom right, next to like, helpful, hug click on 3 dots and edit comment comes up. I think you can only comment recently after submitting.

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@fraytv

Thank you for the reply. Do you space your nebulizer breathing treatments apart (hours) or do you do one immediately following the other?

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Do your nebulizing treatments hours apart. Nebulizing with the (1) albuterol by itself, (2) then saline, (3) then use of the flutter device is one treatment. Repeat later in the day. My pulmonologist said 6 hours or longer between treatments.

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@fraytv

Thank you for the reply. Do you space your nebulizer breathing treatments apart (hours) or do you do one immediately following the other?

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Hi, I do my treatment like @spider109, except now I have learned that if my asthma is well-controlled I can just use a couple puffs on my inhaler instead of the albuterol neb. I wait about 5 minutes between the albuterol and the saline, giving it time to open my airways. Then the saline, then Aerobika (with my nebulizer I cannot do together.) I stop 2-3 times during neb & Aerobika to huff cough or whatever it takes to get mucus up. After that a brisk walk keeps it flowing - I'm sure my neighbors are appalled seeing me walk down the street huffing & coughing into a tissue, but my lungs are clear.
Sue

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@spider109

I also do the same as you my routine goes like this nebulize with albuterol, followed by 7% saline, then flutter valve 20-30 times. The first time is between 7-8 am daily. Around 1-2pm I usually take 2-3 puffs of my rescue inhaler inhaler of albuterol if needed, which I usually do. Then around 6:00pm another nebulizer treatment the same as a.m. following that I take Annoro Elipta not Breo, to help me through the night while I sleep.

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Thank you!

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I started the 3% about a week and a half ago and I get so much mucus up and also nose stuff that I couldn't possibly use the vest at the same time because I am coughing and blowing my nose almost constantly (it seems to open up the sinuses). (and just forget the arobika) I lose a lot of the 3% time due to this coughing and nose blowing but it seems to do the job. Afterwards I use the vest for 30 min and not much is left to come out though usually some does. I still cough and nose blow for an hour or so afterwards. Mornings are rough. Evenings not nearly as bad. I normally use albuterol inhaler when I get up which is maybe an hour or more before I do the 3% and vest.

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@liz440

I started the 3% about a week and a half ago and I get so much mucus up and also nose stuff that I couldn't possibly use the vest at the same time because I am coughing and blowing my nose almost constantly (it seems to open up the sinuses). (and just forget the arobika) I lose a lot of the 3% time due to this coughing and nose blowing but it seems to do the job. Afterwards I use the vest for 30 min and not much is left to come out though usually some does. I still cough and nose blow for an hour or so afterwards. Mornings are rough. Evenings not nearly as bad. I normally use albuterol inhaler when I get up which is maybe an hour or more before I do the 3% and vest.

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Thank you for the reply! I also have a vest but have not been able to use it due to a fast heartbeat. 2 pulmonologist said I must use it if I want to get well, 1 pulmonologist said not to use it until my heart slows down & I gain weight, he said I could break some ribs. They all 3 work in the same practice, using my own judgement & waiting for my heart to slow down.

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