Saline Concentration
I’m pretty sure I remember mention here about the practice of combining different concentrations of saline solution for nebulizing, e.g., 3% & 7%. I’m eager to know how that worked. Don
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Who can say? I only do it if my throat is irritated by something like allergies...
So far, so good, except I managed to get into something almost 3 weeks ago that led to a flare. Managed to calm it without antibiotics, but still waiting to see the pulmo for an eval.
Not bad - over 18 months with saline and no antibiotics!
Sue
@sueinmn, would love to know how you calmed flare without antibiotics? Thanks. Glenda
NEBS! I usually use levalbuterol and 7% saline. The doc (a sub) prescribed duoneb (irpatropium bromide plus albuterol) and budosenide (a steroid neb) 3X per day each for 3 days plus lay off the saline for those days. Then to each once a day and levalbuterol in between if needed. She offered antibiotics, but everything that works also makes me sick.
As of today, I am on duoneb & saline once a day, levalbuterol if needed.
I would say this has worked 90% - in spite of our hot humid weather. Today I had only one coughing session, aside from after my saline. The pain in my lungs is almost gone & my energy is slowly coming back. Oh, and caught it before pneumonia actually set in...
By the way, this has been my first flare since I stopped the Big-3 in December 2019 (still MAC-positive) and switched to 7% saline plus levalbuterol. I also use 600mg NAC (oral) and 1200mg Ultra-Omega each day. This is probably the first time I have ever felt & said that a supplement is having a positive effect on my lungs.
We'll see what the pulmonologist has to say in a few weeks (waiting for an appointment.) I'm pretty sure there will be some sputum cultures in my near future.
Sue
GROSS ALERT! People often wonder how deeply nebs penetrate our lungs read my new discussion "How well do nebs work?" https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/just-how-well-do-nebs-work-anyway/
Sue
I would like to read that discussion on nebs.
Montsy, here's the link to @sueinmn's new discussion:
- MAC: Just how well do nebs work, anyway? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/just-how-well-do-nebs-work-anyway/
Very helpful…thanks for sending!