Migizii it seems to me you're doin' it right and getting results. When I first started using the device I just kinda went at it like, as I'm prone to say, "a Boy Scout," meaning dutifully complying with the prescribed schedule. I guess that has paid off. The single time I decided to not take it with me on 4-day trip I promptly had a bronchitis flare-up. Made a believer of me. Don't know if it was simply coincidence, but I'm loath to risk it by experimenting with another "vacation." Let me ask you, when you mention it clearing mucus does that happen during or soon after the treatment session In my case I do bring up mucus but it is entirely unrelated in time with the treatment session. I've always just assumed that the periodic coughing and spitting episodes wouldn't be as productive absent the use of the vest. The goofy thing is though, that I had coughing and spitting episodes before ever getting the vest. Go figure. Lots of puzzling questions crop up with this ailment.

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@thumperguy Hi there! Welcome to our group. I have read your posts and am wondering if your dr ever did a sputem test to see what exactly is growing in your lungs. Reason I ask is; I went for yrs going on and off Z-packs (azithromycin) and all that did was put off my real diagnosis of bronchiectasis with mac infection.

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Hi thumperguy, thanks for the compliment on my compliance but I too take random, very short breaks when I can’t muster motivation😔. I could not bring up any mucus prior to using the vest but had a pretty consistent dry cough. The combination of nebulizing and the vest tend to bring up the mucus for me and then sometimes for a little while afterwards. Periodically, during the day I still have my dry cough and rarely some spitting. That’s how it goes for me anyway. Wishing a Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

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I don’t have a percussion vest but do use a nebulizer with 3% saline, followed by an aerobics and my husband pats various parts of by rib cage over my lungs after laying in various positions where I’m slightly inverted. Each step is followed by huff coughs and controlled coughing. It takes about an hour every morning (empty stomach). I understand how you can want a break every once in awhile.
I find that I cough up bits of mucus throughout the day now but definitely not only in the morning. Is that other prople’s experience? It means I’m coughing more all day,which is great for clearing my lungs when I’m at home but not so great when I’m out in public.

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Well Kathy, you and your husband sure figured out a way to beat the steep cost of percussion vests. Congratulations. My mucous clearing episodes, unlike yours, almost always occur in unannounced "obligatory" episodes of several minutes when I'm essentially out-of-commission for any other activity. Fortunately they seem to occur predominately at bed time. Also fortunately my wife's a night owl so is minimally bothered by the clamor I make.

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Migzii your experience compared to mine really drives home a point; that being the wide variation there is among persons regarding how this malady presents. I consider myself lucky when I learn of others’ experience; like I must have a relatively mild case.
Jumping topics, and I hope this isn’t too intrusive, but I’m curious about what in the world is the derivation of “Migzii? 😁

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Migizii is the Ojibwe word for eagle

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THank you for your reply. Am thinking could try the nebulizer with just saline then and see if that helps. The doctor will ask me if my chest feels full but it does not. Just can't produce anything with my cough.

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@gj53 I tried the HillRom vest and being so thin (as I imagine most of us are), it was uncomfortable. I would end up very sore from the vibrations. Only used for one month and sent it back.

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I use the nebulizer with the 7 percent saline. I did need a prescription and it is fairly inexpensive compared to everything else I need. I also get new mouthpieces and tubes for my nebulizer every 6 months. I follow it up with an aerobika. I also couldn't cough up anything. Now, it's unusual if I don't cough up something.

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@tinaesims, Hi. I have to share this story because it stresses the importance of nebulizing saline. Here goes. I did my saline treatment this morning and coughed up the usual goo. But this time, I saw a small bit of bright red. So, I thought it was from a small lung bleed. Upon closer inspection, I saw that it was in fact, a small tiny bit of my bright red winter scarf that I had unpacked yesterday. I had even contemplated on getting rid of it because it sheds a lot of yarn onto my grey wool coat. Now, I am sure it has to go bye-bye. Now, what if I hadn't have coughed that up? Can you imagine the mucous plugs that can form when you do not clean your lungs out? My apologies if I grossed anyone out. But, you know how it is.

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