Unable to produce sputum

I don't produce it either. I don't think it is something everyone has. Many have no symptoms, so it can't be unusual. Are they trying to get a sample for a culture? If so, talk to your doctor and let them know you can't get one. The bronchoscope is no big deal at all. You go into twilight and wake up. I had nothing that would let me know if they did the procedure at all. I am not a doctor or expert, but I like that they were able to see my bronchial tubes and inside my lungs with their own eyes. It is much better than radio waves or other imaging they do and is safer. That is my non-expert opinion, based only on life experience.

@km6 There is a subset of bronchiectasis known as dry bronchiectasis, where little to no sputum I produced.

You need to have a conversation with your pulmonologist on how to proceed with airway clearance-when I had that issue for a while, I tried so hard, I ended up with a very sore larynx and esophagus.

Over time I have learned to use the inhaler then neb and get some exercise before trying airway clearance - some days I can cough up a little mucus, other days not so much, some days noe at all. But my pulmonologist and her respiratory therapist told me the goal is to keep whatever may be there moving. So far, I have been MAC free for 5 years after stopping the antibiotics.

Do you have MAC?

@km6 Have you tried 7% saline? Until I used 7% I was not productive. Have you tried taking long acting mucinex 1200 mg? That helps to thin and loosens mucus. Lastly, technique. Focus on BELLY BREATHING and not from your shoulders. Actually rest your hand on your belly to feel it move in and out. Here are some videos which might be helpful. It is gentle ins and outs. The larger breath is the huff cough at the end of the breathing. Hope this is helpful.

Thank you. I believe my cough caused my hiatal hernia.
I've had one sputum test that showed Mac aspergillus a few years ago and one that showed abcessus about a year ago. I've been fairly symptom free until recently. On pred for 8 weeks due to SOB and cough. Now off and tight and short of breath. Cx ct showed possible pneumonia which I believe was viral
I have a history of cdiff so I stay away from antibiotics. I'm considering bronchoscopy and Lavage. I guess I don't want to believe I have Mac.
Waiting on results of cx ray from this morning.

I'm confused. MAC and aspergillus are two v very different infections. A single finding in a sputum culture of MAC or M Abscessus is not definitive, nor is an x-ray.

I too would want to avoid antibiotics- have you adopter the recommended "watch and wait" strategy that includes daily airway clearance and nebulizing 7% saline?

I am definitely in a watch and wait pattern. A month ago a ct showed pneumonia. I had no temp and didn't really feel sick just very tight Todays cx shows pneumonia as well. I am torn about going on antibiotics. Maybe a bronchoscopy/lavage is in order.

I have had difficulty producing sputum as well. Acapella and Aerobika don't work, the vest minimally effective. What works best for my is lying down with waist high and head low, even hanging over the bed with head near the floor.

Wow. I will have to try a version of that, I don't know if I would be able to get up from that position lol. Thank you.

In my case, this is after nebulizing with levalbuterol and then 3% saline. 7% iritates my throat.

That's what I do as well. 🤞