Lung Mucus Clearance .. Reducing The Breeding Ground For Mycobacterium

Posted by Katherine, Alumni Mentor @katemn, Jul 6, 2017

FROM MY TRUSTY FILE CABINET:

LUNG MUCUS CLEARANCE .. REDUCING THE BREEDING GROUND FOR MYCOBACTERIUM AND BACTERIA

LUNG/AIRWAY CLEARANCE DEVICES .. DEVICES TO CLEAR SPUTUM
Expand-A-Lung Breathing Fitness Exerciser

To purchase on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2tVjLzd

Read the reviews and how to use at
Aerobika Device Shows Promise in Treating Bronchiectasis, COPD Exacerbations http://bit.ly/2tyV75e

Member notes on AIRWAY CLEARANCE DEVICES : AEROBIKA .. ABSOLUTE BEST CLEARANCE DEVICE!

AEROBIKA PURCHASE:

From members @decosmo and @maryjo2sell who have given great info about the Aerobika in the past.

Aerobika. I highly recommend it. I love mine. I have two. They vibrate well to loosen the stuff and they are so much easier than an Acapella to clean. (I use a bit of dish soap. Suds it up .. agitate .. hold the parts and shake them very thoroughly through the sudsy water. 2. Let the parts soak for 10 to 15 minutes. Then several times fill the measuring cup with very warm rinse water .. again agitate the parts thoroughly to make sure they are thoroughly clean of the antibacterial dish soap. ) I have had mine for at least 2 years.

Aerobika-Medical Supply ordered 2/25/17 $90.00

*Acapella device did not help me. . SEVERAL MEMBERS stated this

AEROBIKA-MY PERSONAL ROUTINE-INHALERS/LUNG CLEARANCE HYGIENE/AEROBIKA

Below is my particular routine in using my Aerobika

Use my 2 inhalers PRIOR to brushing my teeth
Use a "huff" cough at least 3 times .. like you were cleaning your glasses and fog them with your breath .. only MORE forcefully. Then use the Aerobika device per the instructions. Do the huff cough along with the Aerobika until you feel you have gotten up as much sputum as you possibly can. Personally I judge when to "quit" by the quantity and color of the sputum. I have found using the Aerobika you are able to " pull" mucous out of those lower lung airways in a way you cannot without the device. Personally I do this twice a day.
Inhale 7% Sodium Solution using my Pari Compressor and nebulizer
After my Saline Inhalation I again use my Aerobika. Then use the Aerobika device per the instructions. A "huff" cough at least 3 times .. like you were cleaning your glasses and fog them with your breath .. only MORE forcefully. Do the huff cough along with the Aerobika until you feel you have gotten up as much sputum as you possibly can.
Using peroxide to dampen my toothbrush and toothpaste to brush (purchased a squirt dispenser for the peroxide)
Rinse my toothbrush .. then using peroxide for toothbrush storage for sterilizing
I think this routine will help oral thrush by keeping my Sonicare toothbrush sanitized daily. http://www.good-gums.com/sanitizing-your-toothbrush.cfm

AEROBIKA AND NEBULIZER -CLEANING
*6/17 From Member @lindam272, Linda, Aerobika sites the Electronic Steam Sterilizer (baby bottle sterilizer) as the recommended method. It says, “The four disassembled parts may be disinfected using an electronic steam sterilizer for baby bottles, following the manufacturer’s instructions for use (e.g. AVENT Electronic Sterilizer). The disinfection cycle should last approximately 15 minutes. Allow the parts to cool and air dry thoroughly before reassembly.” I’m only microwaving for 6 mins but maybe need to up that. It seems like the other components for the nebulizer should be okay. They are all plastic. One of the alternative methods described is the microwave steam bags but says to use distilled water. “For HIGH LEVEL DISINFECTION: If clinically necessary for the patients’ disease state, the device may be cleaned after each use and disinfected once each treatment day. STERILE distilled water must be used for rinsing. To sterilize distilled water, boil it for 5 minutes.”

@katemn NOTE: because I purchased a large supply of nebs I use the same cleaning method as below for the Aerobika and nebulizers per my File Cabinet.
I can ONLY speak for myself .. I follow the cleaning method on the Aerobika website: https://www.monaghanmed.com/patients-education .. the same one that came with the Aerobika.
I use very warm water .. I use a 4 cup plastic measuring cup to wash the various parts .. I like the cup handle as I agitate the parts I am cleaning! Norpro 4-Cup Plastic Measuring Cup
I USE THE: The First Years Power of Steam Electric Steam Sterilizer (I remove ONE shelf & make the bottom shelf TALLER to accommodate the tall nebulizer with two other more narrow shelves)
I use a bit of antibacterial dish soap. Suds it up .. agitate .. hold the parts and shake them very thoroughly through the sudsy water.
Let the parts soak for 10 to 15 minutes. Then several times fill the measuring cup with very warm rinse water .. again agitate the parts thoroughly to make sure they are thoroughly clean of the antibacterial dish soap.
I then toss them into the large round center baby sterilizer with the drainage holes at the bottom for storage (that I have removed from the unit) until I am ready to sterilize them all at one time. (This may sound dumb but I store all this equipment in my unused bathtub since I only use my shower!)
When I sterilize.. I make SURE I place the AEROBICA on THE TOP SHELF!! After I do sterilize them .. I let the sterilizer cool down. Re assemble and I am good to go! I use distilled water .. I feel it is a good cautionary detail to keep the unit in good condition. If you are unsure you could confirm by calling 800) 833-9653 .. or better yet .. ask your Pulmonologist or respiratory therapist.

I called Monaghan Medical (800) 833-9653 Aerobika Customer Service directly and told them my cleaning method .. their only concern was that I rinse well the antibacterial dish soap after soaking. BUT they are NOT experts on MAC or Bronchiectasis. They finally admitted their ONLY cleaning research was based on boiling SO cannot comment on any cleaning method other than boiling .. baby bottle sterilizing? LIABILITY!! (See 6/17 post from Member @lindam272, the new instructions from Aerobika NOW approve baby bottle sterilizing!)
IF you are using inhaled saline (Sodium Chloride Inhalation Solution) with your Aerobika .. I found a good price at: Just Nebulizers .. I purchased the 5 package. I use the same cleaning method.

From Member @jenblalock, Every few days I sterilize by putting in Dr. Browns steam bags (can get at Amazon) with a few ounces of distilled water and microwaving on high for 2 minutes. ($5.99 About the product: Sterilized eliminating 99.9% of most household bacteria and germs Five sterilizer bags come to a pack and each bag is reusable up to 20 times. This offers 100 uses per retail pack)

AEROBIKA AND NEBULIZERS .. CLEANING OF

From Member Linda @lindam272 We benefit from sharing information with each other. *PROBLEM I learned from my Respiratory Therapist: I WAS NOT sterilizing my equipment DAILY! I sterilize the three main pieces of the Aerobika plus my nebulizers! * my Respiratory Therapist suggested using a baby bottle sterilizer for DAILY USE FOR BOTH MY Aerobika and Nebulizers
*@katemn Here’s my routine: 2 inhalers, Aerobika, saline treatment (IF that is part of your routine) , Aerobika, nebulizer treatment, Aerobika. I then agitate all parts in hot soapy water, allow part to sit for 10 to 15 minutes .. and then rinse REALLY well. I don’t use distilled water. Just tap water. Put all parts in the TOP shelf of a bottle sterilizer.. I use the baby bottle sterilizer daily. 7/5/17 The First Years Power of Steam Electric Steam Sterilizer http://thefirstyears.com/contact https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B002WN2B6O/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
(Per Vendor: Our sterilizer cycle time is 13 minutes. The unit must cool down for 10 minutes before running another cycle. NOTE: IN MY OPINION .. AS IT COOLS DOWN THE HEAT WOULD CERTAINLY LAST AN ADDITIONAL 2 MINUTES TO EQUAL 15 MINUTES STERILIZATION TIME! Please check with your physician to see if 13-15 minutes is long enough or if you need to look for a different type of sterilizer that will cycle for 15 minutes. Consumer Service Karen, TOMY) After sterilizing I usually let it cool for a bit. Remove parts. I lay out the parts on a clean paper towel to dry. Allow sterilizer to dry. Not saying this is the “right” way but it works for me.

* I have a paper from my Respiratory Therapist that outlines how to clean and disinfect respiratory equipment and it says to disinfect at least daily and gives 4 different options for doing that – one is to microwave in a microwavable bowl filled with water for 5 mins or Electric Baby Steam Sterilizer (bottle sterilizer) for 15 mins. I’ve been sterilizing for 4 mins according to the instructions with the sterilizer. Now that I’m reading this sheet again, I’ll up it to 6 mins and hope I don’t melt anything. It sure is confusing and some instructions contradict others. I just do the best I can and pray that it’s good enough.

AEROBIKA-WHEN TO STOP/USAGE
I "stop" by judging the sputum .. how much I am getting up .. ie quantity and color. If I am still getting up quite a bit with "color" .. I know it is worth the effort because that means I am getting up "bad stuff" that CERTAINLY is a breeding ground for mycobacterium that I do NOT want down there! I mentioned previously a "private" issue that is kinda yucky but works for me . personally I do my Aerobika over the sink which is white .. that way I can "see" exactly the quantity and color of what is coming up. I also carefully use a Clorox cleaning spray for the sink. I am being honest in telling you my method because though it may be "yucky" it gives you a very clear idea of just what is going on in your lungs. Katherine

Different Devices
RC Coronet
Acapella

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the MAC & Bronchiectasis Support Group.

fdixon63 | @fdixon63 | Dec 8, 2023

In reply to @irenea8 "and no extra issues while on Cipro with the colitis or stricture?" + (show)

irenea8 - No difference noted with gut issues or urinary stricture that I can recall. There is always some loose stools after the first couple of days. I made sure I started on acidophillis and probiotics.

blm1007blm1007 | @blm1007blm1007 | Jan 15 4:25pm

In reply to @sueinmn "Hi Cynthia - Not Katherine (she is no longer with our group) but I'll try to..." + (show)

Sue- Thanks again for sharing your experiences, knowlege and time.
I am so beside myself in terms of what I am producing and that it is constant.
Throughout the day I will have a feeling of a "lump" in my throat and am constantly clearing it out by sucking it up and out and sometimes cough it out.
What I bring up and out ususally has three layers as seen by using a medical clear specimen cup.'
The "sputum", substance that I bring up and out, the three layers, are
Top Layer: Foamy White and bubbly,
Middle Layer: Clear in color and
Bottom Layer: Light grayish in color and can have or not have tiny white specs or tiny yellow specs of what I believe to be some of what one would think of as parts of mucus plugs.
I tried chewing a 1/4 piece of gum and found that it helps, usually, to stop the feeling of a "lump" in my throat and the need to clear it out. For some reason it does help me from feeling I have to clear my throat and get out what I believe to be sputum out.
It is hard for me to huff cough and expect to get anything up and out other than what is clear, bubbly and gel like in substance.
I was lucky that with the help of a respiratory therapist last week when I huff coughed three good mucus plugs. I can't seem to do it on my own.
Question: Do you know, have any idea about the three layers I described AND what others mean when they talk of constantly bringing up a substance etc. through out the day????

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jan 15 7:49pm

In reply to @blm1007blm1007 "Sue- Thanks again for sharing your experiences, knowlege and time. I am so beside myself in..." + (show)

We'll have to throw this open to the group. My mucus is clear and viscous - if I get an infection, it turns yellow or green and viscous. No experience with either foam or mucus plugs.
Sue

pled | @pled | Jan 16 9:25am

In reply to @blm1007blm1007 "Sue- Thanks again for sharing your experiences, knowlege and time. I am so beside myself in..." + (show)

It is a rare occasion that I cough up anything when I am in a vertical position. Every now and then my coughing will produce a blob of mucous. But I lay down daily and do postural drainage and I spit into a small glass. What comes up at that time looks pretty much as you described. The first cough or two will bring up more of the grayish stuff, and after that it is more clear and bubbly. I just keep going until the amount coming out becomes so small that it doesn't seem worth the effort.

blm1007blm1007 | @blm1007blm1007 | Jan 16 10:22am

Thank you both for your replies.
After all this time I finally thought to Google in a way that it talked about snoring and breathing through ones mouth, mouth breathing. I have been telling the doctors for several years about my snoring and sleeping with my mouth open. I have also, in the past, woke up with dry mouth in the mornings. I talked to the Doctors out of concern and what it might be doing/causing. No doctor had an answer or showed concern. WELL, when I googled last night the "right wording/ statement" it indicated snoring and mouth breathing can cause exactly what is happening and coming up to my throat etc. with my wanting/needing to clear it out. This goes on all day long...so time consuming. So, back to the doctor(s) with this information I read and see what they say and hopefully a way of correcting it.

leslie51 | @leslie51 | Jan 16 6:23pm

This was covered in an early post I think by another member, but in terms of clearing sputum/mucus, I've found that postural drainage, (left side, right side, on my back) and then doing my version of breathing exercises ( easy inhale for 3, hold for 4, exhale through pursed lips for 7, switching to open mouthed exhale when I tire of pursed lipped exhale) , occasional rests, then huff coughing, then up to huff cough, cough and clear. Fortunately, postural drainage ties in nicely with napping! 🙂 I follow this by another 2 10 - 15 min bouts of either using the aerobika or breathing techniques lying down and then sitting/ standing, mixed with huff coughing. Sometimes I'll run in place, do chest percussions, etc if I'm still trying to get something up.

I've found I can't be reassured/fooled by the second round being clear because I often bring up colored stuff on the third bout, which ultimately becomes clear.

I nebulize with 7%saline every other day but am trying to up that to most days.

kgggg | @kgggg | Jan 16 6:38pm

Nebulizing w 7% sodium works real well. All that coughing is NG for your system.

98n | @98n | Jan 16 8:21pm

Anyone knows how to interpret the result of abnormal sputum test saying “a few inflammatory cells found with no bacteria present”? Test was recommended by pulmonologist in time of me being sick . I was also diagnosed with bronchiactisis and GGN in 2020.
Thank you.

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jan 16 10:20pm

In reply to @98n "Anyone knows how to interpret the result of abnormal sputum test saying “a few inflammatory cells..." + (show)

Welcome to Mayo Connect. The best person to interpret the test results is the doc who ordered them, who looks at them in the context of your most recent physical examination and imaging, whether x-ray or CT. Have you had a recent x-ray for comparison with the 2020 images?
At least the absence of obvious bacteria is good news. Any idea whether the sample was sent for a full culture (takes 7-8 weeks for results)?
Sue

98n | @98n | Jan 17 12:01am

In reply to @sueinmn "Welcome to Mayo Connect. The best person to interpret the test results is the doc who..." + (show)

Thank you very much. I am followed for two problems, bronchiectasis and lung nodules. Therefore I am doing CTscans regularly. The next is Jan.22 ordered by lung surgeon. Bronchiectasis is looked by regular pulmonologist that I changed ( couldn’t find proper communication and never got questions answered). New pulmonologist also reported through patient site that I have a few inflammatory cells and gave me Azithromysin to treat infection. Her suggestion is to wait until I get better. If not- she will prescribe anti inflammatory inhaler. I am already using ipratropium/Albuterol twice a day+acapella device. Laboratory wanted me to do additional, spit test but doctor didn’t follow. That is my reason for a question about inflammatory cells. They scare me after I googled them. What if it is a bad illness..