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Trying Pulmozyme soon.
I’ve had Bronchiectasis with Pulmonary Fibrosis for about 2 1/2 years now since diagnosis. I currently nebulize twice a day with albuterol followed by 7% saline, and while doing that use the Areobika intermittently. I also take Guaifenison to help thin the mucus. My Pulmonologist has arranged for me to try Pulmozyme inhalation instead of the albuterol, which at times seems to be less effective than it used to be. Has anyone ever tried Pulmozyme? I realize it is a cystic fibrosis medication (only approved by FDA) but 3 Pulmologists I’ve seen at Mayo, and one at my northern home seem to think it’s definitely worth a try. Please enlighten me if anyone has tried Pulmozyme in the past. Thank-you
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I would be interested to know about more recent studies of this, but Anne O’Donnell in the 90s found that patients with non CF bronchiectasis did worse on this than placebo in terms of exacerbations and lung function. If your doctors have other information or experience, please share it with us and let us know how you do if you try it.
Is there a way to see the results of that study?
My Pulmo wanted me to try it but I never did. It is not usually covered by medicare unless you have CF and it is very expensive. Plus I read about someone on this forum who's new Pulmo took her off it right away. I guess she took her off it because she felt it is not for Non CF Bronchiectasis. When I mentioned that to my Pulmo he waved it off saying it was only one study and that they have found the Pulmozyme to be helpful. But I am not sure how many non CF Bronchiectasis he has prescribed it to if any.
Also the Albuterol is to open the airways and Pulmozyme is to thin the mucus. So they do not do the same thing but both help to get the mucus out in one way or another. Maybe other people with fibrosis get prescribed it and if so many Drs have thought it would be worth a try, you might consider it.
This is the abstract
Hope you can see it. I have limited computer access but you can google it to get more details