Huff technique is very uncomfortable

Here are a couple short videos on huffing coughing that might help.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=74KjW9DzyIE
This one suggest using a little tube to keep mouth in "o" as you prepare to cough.
https://www.chkd.org/about-us/newsroom/videos/huff-coughing-instructional-video/
Lastly, and I like this one, is the Autogenic drainage app that coaches you thru the cycles of breathing then huff coughing. You can choose different lengths of time. Just search your App Store for Autogenic drainage.
Here's a link to a website demonstrating it, but I find the coaching app a lot more helpful.
https://www.google.com/search?q=autogenic+drainage&rlz=1CDGOYI_enUS967US967&hl=en-US&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:dbb6de8a,vid:Vizf195JPoE,st:0
I believe these will help it feel easier.

Hi here is another to add to what pacathy gave you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kC-H8fFzZes
Barbara

I saw my Pulmonologist Wednesday.
I assumed my primary and ID and Pulmonologist all on same page.
He didn't know I stopped antibiotics because of low blood count.
I take some of the blame for not checking in with him on my chart.
The way the NP explained to me I was under the impression that they would all work together.
I told Pulmonologist about having trouble with huff cough and he sends in a respiratory therapist.
She actually kept her mask on throughout the whole "lesson".
I'm the kind of person that thinks of these things after the fact.
Sometimes I get so sick of myself.

I've seen most of the websites shown here but I still feel very uncomfortable doing the Huff Coughs that starts with the deep breaths. It's probably just in my head but I view doing it like scraping fingernails on blackboard. I do the acapella instead and try and take deep breaths doing it.

I asked Gemini AI on google a question about using the acapella, the reply is below. I always felt guilty just doing the acapella but Gemini claims it is better than huff technique. Anyone disagree?

Question: "I do the acapella. Will that accomplish the same thing in the deep part of the lungs?"

Gemini: That's an excellent question, and it gets to the heart of how the Acapella device works.
Yes, using the Acapella device is designed to accomplish exactly what you're asking about: clearing mucus from the deep parts of your lungs. It's a much more effective and targeted approach than a regular huff or cough on its own, especially for mucus that is lodged in the smaller, more peripheral airways.

Here's a breakdown of the two main mechanisms by which the Acapella device works to clear your lungs, particularly the deeper parts:

I cant do huff, gives me acid reflux and stomach pain.
I inhale and give a good cough or try doing it gently.

I am with you. At one session I was so nauseous. I haven't used it since which is not good either.
Also, the albuterol I am suppose to be taking twice a day makes me shake so much I can't function. I plan to reduce that dose and see what happens.
Good luck!

There are alternatives to albuterol that cause less shaking. Just let your docs know and I'm sure they'd be happy to change it. It's a pretty common issue.

I'm surprised at the comments about huff coughing. How about trying out the Autogenic drainage app?. It coaches one thru the deep breathing then huff cough fairly gently, I think. It has choices of time with 2.5" being the shortest.

I did the ai search and Chatbot and Gemini searched the web and came up with the Acapella is actually better than the Huff technique. I feel that way too because I Huff and Puff and try to Blow The House Down but it causes me to irritate my throat and I end up coughing all night.

So interesting to read all these comments about huff coughing. It causes me a lot of stress. I have been taught how to do it at my physio sessions and they have checked that I do it correctly. I have a saline nebuliser now and it works well. So tricky fitting all this airway clearance in on my 3 working days as a teacher! I am still waiting for the results of my most recent CT scan done in early August. My NTM is back but we are still watching and waiting. My pulmonary rehab sessions have been excellent and it is great being with other people in a group who have similar concerns about breathlessness and coughing etc. Exercise is great and learning to pace yourself on a daily basis is key. As we are now in the flu season we need to take extra care of ourselves. Learn to say 'no' and put yourself first. Quality of life is so important.