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Saline Nebulizer question

Posted by katmckay @katmckay, Mar 11 10:13am

I was diagnosed with B last fall and MAC in January. I have been using the 7% saline neb twice a day which has been effective in releasing a lot of mucus. Recently, I have been having some chest pain and burping during and after use. I have a long history of GERD but have it under control most of the time. I wonder whether the 7% is too strong or if I should shorten the sessions and would appreciate any input. Most medications tend to have a strong effect on my body. I have been on the big 3 for about a month with bearable side effects thus far. Taking high doses of prednisone and other steroids recently resulted in osteonecrosis in my hip and the need for a hip replacement. So far, B/NTM has been a real adventure.

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scoop | @scoop | Mar 11 8:12pm

@katmckay Great that you've established a good airway clearance routine and that it's productive for you. 7% hyper saline really helps me get the phlegm out. Prior to 7% I tried 3% which did little more than .09%. For now I am sticking with 7%. Some people do well going to 3%, so you might give it a try.

Do you wait at least 2 hours after eating/drinking to do your clearance? That's really essential to avoid reflux/ GERD. I have not heard of 7% saline giving people heartburn etc.

One last question - are you taking high doses of prednisone and other steroids for bronchiectasis? While steroids are miracle drugs and can be useful to "turn off" the body's immune response, they are not recommended to treat bronchiectasis.

REPLY
katmckay | @katmckay | Mar 12 10:48am

Thanks, Scoop. I have ordered some of the 3% and will give it a try. I do my clearance early in the morning before I eat anything and again before dinner. I am experimenting with my vest. The Hill-Rom clinician said to adjust the numbers and time as needed. I'm 5"2" and 110 lbs, so a little goes a long way. Some of my chest discomfort may be from coughing. I'm new to this and trying to feel my way, learning as I go. Mayo Connect has been very helpful so far.
My first pulmonary doc kept putting me on Prednisone for recurrent pneumonia, doubled my Advair scrip, and also advised me to use Flonase. She has been very accessible and attentive but she doesn't have a great deal of experience with bronchiectasis. My ID doc is part of a B/NTM team at Vanderbilt and recommended I transition to their pulmonary doc. It makes sense because my PCP and other docs are all in that system and it is easy for all to share/access records. I have asked the V team to re-evaluate my B meds. Thanks again.

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1 reply
scoop | @scoop | Mar 12 3:52pm
In reply to @katmckay "Thanks, Scoop. I have ordered some of the 3% and will give it a try. I..." + (show)
@katmckay

Thanks, Scoop. I have ordered some of the 3% and will give it a try. I do my clearance early in the morning before I eat anything and again before dinner. I am experimenting with my vest. The Hill-Rom clinician said to adjust the numbers and time as needed. I'm 5"2" and 110 lbs, so a little goes a long way. Some of my chest discomfort may be from coughing. I'm new to this and trying to feel my way, learning as I go. Mayo Connect has been very helpful so far.
My first pulmonary doc kept putting me on Prednisone for recurrent pneumonia, doubled my Advair scrip, and also advised me to use Flonase. She has been very accessible and attentive but she doesn't have a great deal of experience with bronchiectasis. My ID doc is part of a B/NTM team at Vanderbilt and recommended I transition to their pulmonary doc. It makes sense because my PCP and other docs are all in that system and it is easy for all to share/access records. I have asked the V team to re-evaluate my B meds. Thanks again.

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@katmckay If you have not already it might be useful to review the information posted in the following thread:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/resources-for-the-abcs-on-bronchiectasis-and-mac-ntm/
Good luck with the new and improved health care team, sounds like a good move!

REPLY
1 reply
katmckay | @katmckay | Mar 13 9:59am
In reply to @scoop "@katmckay If you have not already it might be useful to review the information posted in..." + (show)
@scoop

@katmckay If you have not already it might be useful to review the information posted in the following thread:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/resources-for-the-abcs-on-bronchiectasis-and-mac-ntm/
Good luck with the new and improved health care team, sounds like a good move!

Jump to this post

Thanks again. The information in the link was extremely helpful!

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