Connect
mucus and steroid inhaler
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
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the MAC & Bronchiectasis Support Group.
Connect
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!
Bronchiectasis phenotype AI inspired (Bronchiectasis-phenotype-AI-inspired.png.pdf)
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsThanks 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?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionMy 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.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reactionah, scoop, thank you so much. I will try to do that.
I don't really understand the phenotype information. I seem to fit into 5 of those types!
It’s common to have more than one phenotype with this disease.
I have asthma but can go years w/o it acting up. Recently, it started again and this time Symbicort 160 doesn't do much for the thick & sticky mucous. Advair use to help and get rid of mucous but I was hoarse all the time. I used
Mucinex for months because I worry about bone loss from steroids. My pulmonary specialist says there is a new inhaler similar thats a steroid but also gets rid of mucous. Has anyone heard of this?
@natale5
For removing mucus/phlegm in bronchiectasis, consistency with airway clearance helps a lot.
@natale5 Have you been told whether you have any other lung condition in addition to asthma? Often changes, like sticky mucus, are a signal that something else is going on, since that is not typical of most asthma. Your doctor can order an x-ray, and if there is suspicion of other things like infection, COPD or bronchiectasis, follow up with other testing. From there, the treatment will vary.