1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

mucus and steroid inhaler

Posted by @ling @wangling, 3 days ago

Hi everyone,
I don't have to use Symbicort these days, but occasionally I do use it because it seems that it always helps to get the mucus out of the airway thoroughly. I understand most people who have BE don't need to use it. Do you have the feeling that mucus sticky in the airways and steroid inhaler helps to clear it? If you don't use a steroid inhaler, what do you do? Your experience can help me to understand the situation.
Many thanks!
Ling

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scoop | @scoop | 3 days ago

I use Symbicort strictly for asthma—it’s not for sticky phlegm and isn’t prescribed for bronchiectasis, only asthma or COPD.

To manage thick mucus, I drink a glass of water with 1200 mg of brand-name Mucinex twice a day, then take 2 puffs of albuterol to open airways and reduce irritation before nebulizing 7% saline (usually after a 10-minute wait). Sometimes I use two vials of saline during airway clearance.

Autogenic drainage works best for me for clearing phlegm.

Sounds like you're in the frequent exacerbator phenotype group—hoping brensocatib brings relief. In the meantime, let's keep moving!

Diagram compliments of AI with some practical input from me. Not gospel!

Shared files

Bronchiectasis phenotype AI inspired (Bronchiectasis-phenotype-AI-inspired.png.pdf)

REPLY
2 replies
@ling | @wangling | 3 days ago
In reply to @scoop "I use Symbicort strictly for asthma—it’s not for sticky phlegm and isn’t prescribed for bronchiectasis, only..." + (show)
@scoop

I use Symbicort strictly for asthma—it’s not for sticky phlegm and isn’t prescribed for bronchiectasis, only asthma or COPD.

To manage thick mucus, I drink a glass of water with 1200 mg of brand-name Mucinex twice a day, then take 2 puffs of albuterol to open airways and reduce irritation before nebulizing 7% saline (usually after a 10-minute wait). Sometimes I use two vials of saline during airway clearance.

Autogenic drainage works best for me for clearing phlegm.

Sounds like you're in the frequent exacerbator phenotype group—hoping brensocatib brings relief. In the meantime, let's keep moving!

Diagram compliments of AI with some practical input from me. Not gospel!

Jump to this post

Thanks Scoop. I had 3 infections in 6 months. I thought I was doing a good job in airway clearance, since I work hard. I don't understand why. I am a very active person, no immunity issues. 3 infections were all from staph, my pulmonologist thinks I have staph colonization. Right now he and my Id doctor both agree that I am on preventive antibiotics. They are hopeful that brensocatib may help me. I certainly hope so.
I do take mucinex and NAC. Still feel the mucus is sticky.
I remember you mentioned before that you do the evening airway clearance before dinner, do you need to do it again before bed?

REPLY
1 reply
scoop | @scoop | 3 days ago
In reply to @wangling "Thanks Scoop. I had 3 infections in 6 months. I thought I was doing a good..." + (show)
@wangling

Thanks Scoop. I had 3 infections in 6 months. I thought I was doing a good job in airway clearance, since I work hard. I don't understand why. I am a very active person, no immunity issues. 3 infections were all from staph, my pulmonologist thinks I have staph colonization. Right now he and my Id doctor both agree that I am on preventive antibiotics. They are hopeful that brensocatib may help me. I certainly hope so.
I do take mucinex and NAC. Still feel the mucus is sticky.
I remember you mentioned before that you do the evening airway clearance before dinner, do you need to do it again before bed?

Jump to this post

My present habit is morning and an hour or so before bedtime.

When you take a deep breath hold it for 4 secs and then blow out ALL the air out of your lungs. You should hear rumbles crackling after that.

REPLY
1 reply
@ling | @wangling | 3 days ago
In reply to @scoop "My present habit is morning and an hour or so before bedtime. When you take a..." + (show)
@scoop

My present habit is morning and an hour or so before bedtime.

When you take a deep breath hold it for 4 secs and then blow out ALL the air out of your lungs. You should hear rumbles crackling after that.

Jump to this post

ah, scoop, thank you so much. I will try to do that.

REPLY
irenea8 | @irenea8 | 2 days ago
In reply to @scoop "I use Symbicort strictly for asthma—it’s not for sticky phlegm and isn’t prescribed for bronchiectasis, only..." + (show)
@scoop

I use Symbicort strictly for asthma—it’s not for sticky phlegm and isn’t prescribed for bronchiectasis, only asthma or COPD.

To manage thick mucus, I drink a glass of water with 1200 mg of brand-name Mucinex twice a day, then take 2 puffs of albuterol to open airways and reduce irritation before nebulizing 7% saline (usually after a 10-minute wait). Sometimes I use two vials of saline during airway clearance.

Autogenic drainage works best for me for clearing phlegm.

Sounds like you're in the frequent exacerbator phenotype group—hoping brensocatib brings relief. In the meantime, let's keep moving!

Diagram compliments of AI with some practical input from me. Not gospel!

Jump to this post

I don't really understand the phenotype information. I seem to fit into 5 of those types!

REPLY
1 reply
scoop | @scoop | 2 days ago
In reply to @irenea8 "I don't really understand the phenotype information. I seem to fit into 5 of those types!" + (show)
@irenea8

I don't really understand the phenotype information. I seem to fit into 5 of those types!

Jump to this post

It’s common to have more than one phenotype with this disease.

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