Newly diagnosed

Thank you Barbara and what a blessing that you are feeling well. I'm delighted there is funding for research on this disease. The NIH article is very interesting. I plan to address the Rifampin issue with ID.
I'm still waiting for a
response from her re:
coughing more blood and now I have a sore throat and headache. I want to know if a throat culture is
needed.

There is so much I don't know. But I am willing and able to be my own advocate.
I am registered for the NJM conference by the way.
Thx.
Christine

Are all nebulizers created equal? I've only just window shopped on line.
To me that does sound like an obvious place to start. I'd really like to loosen the crap in my chest. I can get some up once a day or so. But not on command.

The short answer i "No..." Very smart to be studying this. I wish I could link you to some discussions, but I'm working on my phone today.

Let's start with the convenient looking, inexpensive nebulizers on Amazon and other non-medical sites. These are not meant for long-term daily use and most cannot be sterilized- only sanitized or self-cleaned with distilled water.

Next, there are 3 main kinds of nebulizers. Currently I am unaware of any durable, sterilization fully handheld vibrating mesh nebulizer since Philips stopped making the InnospireGo.

The compressor nebulizer. The base provides the power to move air through tubing to the nebulizer, a cup and mouthpiece that dispense the medication.The old-reliable is the tabletop, plug in nebulizer. It is typically the one Medicare and Insurance plans pay for, costs around $60 and is widely available. We have used these in my family for over 40 years. They tend to be durable, somewhat noisy, and take around 15-20 minutes to dispensed 4-5 ml of liquid.
Another type is called compact or "travel". It is a much smaller compressor with either regular or rechargeable batteries, and may run on AC as well.
These are quieter and power varies from brand to brand, so nebulizing can take from 12-30 minutes.
With these, there are a wide variety of nebulizers, which are cleaned after each use, sterilized regularly, and replaced according to your doctor's instructions.

Lately there have been a lot of discussions about the newest type of nebulizer, called the Pari eFlow Rapid. It was developed to dispense aerosol meds that didn't work well in traditional nebulizers. It is a small motorized base attached by wire to a specialized handset. A mesh plate vibrates to break up the solution into minute particles for inhalation. It is FAST. 3-10 minutes to dispense the solution. It is also PRICY and QUIET.
Unless prescribed one of the meds that require using it, it is not covered by insurance or Medicare. But if you have an HSA account, you can use that to pay for it.

If you get a prescription from the doctor for a nebulizer, then call one of the health companies like Nebology or Just Nebulizers and talk to their very helpful staff for guidance.
Have you used a nebulizer before?

Some of us who

No. Never. I wasn't even quite sure what they were when you all were discussing them.
I will check out all of your recommendations. AND talk to my doctor about a prescription. I hadn't thought of that. I don't have her on board yet but I see her next week.

I had to go up to your original post to be sure you were diagnosed with BE or a MAC infection.
I will tell you my experience.
Local pulmonologist told me "you just have large lungs". That was after he read an XRay of my lungs and let it go at that.
I continued to have this need to clear my throat for months and was carrying a "spit cup" around all the time...and all my doctors saw what I had...a "spit cup".
Finally about 16 months later it was my Primary Care Doctor that said "we need to do a C Scan you have lost too much weight." I was running to him often during the two years previous to getting the CScan because I knew something was wrong and no one was giving me answers, CScan result: Bronchiectasis.
Back to the local pulmonologist I went and all he told me to do was to use an Acapella PEP device and learn how to use it via a hand out he gave me. After a couple of visits with him and reading some information on line I knew I needed to go to National Jewish Hospital/Clinic in Denver or Mayo. I went to NJH and so very glad I did. They do a battery of tests to understand if there are other health problems that might need to be understood and addressed and more than likely related to the lungs/BE. It is about a weeks visit.
NJH immediately prescribed nebulizing.
When you have Bronchiectasis and confirmation of having BE, it has been confirmed, nebulizing ASAP helps clear the mucus that BE, Bronchiectasis, causes and needs to be cleared out.
You did say you have had some bleeding, I have not had that as yet. True coughing, especially long periods of continuous coughing, and often, can irritate the lungs. That is why it is so important to learn to do the huff "coughing" method with doing airway clearance.
Have you found information on the internet for you to understand Air Way Clearance Methods?
With your having had blood there may be a need to be gentle and more careful when you start all. I don't know much about how to handle all that with your having bleed. Maybe someone on this site might be able to help you with their experience with your starting out with it all, nebulizing etc., etc., considering you have had a bleed.
Barbara
P.S. When I told the pulmonologist, primary care doctor and my dermatologist that I had made an appointment at NJH....they all were in agreement that that was a good decision.

Talking to one of the nebulizer companies I'd a good idea. I went to Mayo for a diagnosis and plan and they gave me an order for a nebulizer compressor. I naively thought I'd go into a local medical supply store with a variety and pick one out. They didn't carry them and I got an Omron NE-801 at a pharmacy that carried a few supplies. It's cheap, ok for short term, one med, etc and is small, but it's SLOW for daily use if using a med and saline. Someone here liked the Proneb Max and I ordered it. It's a bit heavier and noisy, 66 decibels per phone app), but cut the time in about half. The companies might know of newer options.

I use the Ombra tabletop compressor with the Airoeclips xl nebulizer cup. Love it because I can use it with my Aerobika. Also there is an App called Autogenic Drainage that teaches breathing techniques to clear mucus. It is one of the most helpful Apps and really works! I also have the PARI Trek S portable small nebulizer that is great for travel and/or quick sessions. I use them both with my sodium chloride 3% and budesonide meds. Always use my albuterol inhaler first.

I, as @ tree1964, also have the Ombra nebulizer that I went home with after my first visit to NJH that the lead doctor ordered for me to purchase at the NJH pharmacy there within the NJH complex before I left Denver.
I like it with the Aeroeclipse XL because it has two settings. One for breath mode only and the other for continuous flow.
Barbara

Walgreens and other pharmacies sell nebulizers, if that would be more convenient than online ordering. My only caution is that the green Pari Vios might have longevity issues. My machine lasted about nine months before the vapor stream weakened, and then I had four warranty replacements, all of which lasted about six months. I haven't tried Pari's other models. Good luck to you.