1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

What is considered successful Airway clearance?

Posted by ClaireW @katlan, Feb 13, 2022

I was diagnosed with severe bronchiectasis last May; and subsequently MAC in October. I’ve had no PT for airway clearance; but purchased an areobica on my own, after researching the importance of this when googling the disease. I did have a pulmonary specialist; but he referred me to an Infectious Disease doctor who is still to start me on the big 3..I have appointment 25th as they are awaiting sensitivity tests. So; I’ve been doing airway clearance once a day. I did try a couple of times a day; but with nothing productive when I’d try it a second time later in the day. I apologize ahead of time if the question I’m about to ask is a bit gross. How much stuff that I’m able to hock/huff/cough up is sufficient in a session? I can usually get between 2 to 4 tablespoons. With both clear, and thick yellow stuff. Is it okay that I’m only doing it once a day? Should I keep trying sessions at different times throughout the day to try to get more out?? I had watched a video from I don’t recall the source; but it said that with bronchiectsis you bring up cups and cups of fluid from the lungs when you have bronchiectasis.

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hauoli | @hauoli | Feb 18, 2022
In reply to @sueinmn "When you mention airway clearance, are you using saline or another neb first? Also, some people..." + (show)
@sueinmn

When you mention airway clearance, are you using saline or another neb first?
Also, some people have found exercise before clearance helps them bring up the mucus. Have you considered trying it?
Sue

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Thanks Sue, I do get most of airway clearance with exercise. I walk for an hr and then do yoga for and hr. And the gunk, the heavy dense stuff comes out. Then I nebulize with 7% saline and budesonide .3%. The nebulizing seems more like a clean up clearance. First with a bit of gunk, then towards the end, white bubbles. I do have a question. Do you think that MAC can be cleared with just the use of nebulizing or does one have to get on the big three. So far, it just mucus clearing for me and I dont seem to increase the bacteria count in sputum samples. And in a recent CT scan, no increase. Hal

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1 reply
raney | @raney | Feb 18, 2022
In reply to @marianm44 "I only have the acapella (one that opens for cleaning). Will see bronc/mac specialist in April..." + (show)
@marianm44

I only have the acapella (one that opens for cleaning). Will see bronc/mac specialist in April and will probably get a nebulizer then. Meanwhile, I’m trying to be proactive. Had not thought of connecting exercise with acapella and breathing program. I’ll try that later today. Had tried to space things out for energy, but exercise, then clearance makes sense. Thanks for your input. BTW, I always appreciate your comments on here.

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I would encourage getting a nebulizer before April. I use mine twice a day and it takes hours out of my day with nasal rinses, gargles, neb brocodilator (Levalbuterol, followed by 7% saline attached to Aerobika, and Smart Vest.
Never get it all out! But if I try to skip and not do it at least 2 times a day, I get in trouble. Harder to breath, and a lot of throat clearing. I also have chronic rhinitis.

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Feb 18, 2022
In reply to @hauoli "Thanks Sue, I do get most of airway clearance with exercise. I walk for an hr..." + (show)
@hauoli

Thanks Sue, I do get most of airway clearance with exercise. I walk for an hr and then do yoga for and hr. And the gunk, the heavy dense stuff comes out. Then I nebulize with 7% saline and budesonide .3%. The nebulizing seems more like a clean up clearance. First with a bit of gunk, then towards the end, white bubbles. I do have a question. Do you think that MAC can be cleared with just the use of nebulizing or does one have to get on the big three. So far, it just mucus clearing for me and I dont seem to increase the bacteria count in sputum samples. And in a recent CT scan, no increase. Hal

Jump to this post

There is some evidence that 7% saline plus airway clearance can, at very least, prevent further growth of MAC.
It would be interesting to see if you could find any recent research studies. Are you up for some detective work?
Sue

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2 replies
sharcros | @sharcros | Feb 19, 2022
In reply to @pop55 "I actually bring up a lot more than a tablespoon or two, its more like 1/3..." + (show)
@pop55

I actually bring up a lot more than a tablespoon or two, its more like 1/3 to 1/2 cup a day depending. I use the Aeroika when I nebulize 2x daily and then sometimes again mid day. When I get down deep the color can be green...but its been that color for 30 + years. I always heard that the color green can mean infection but that has not been true for me. I have never had any fungal growth but did have Staphylococcus aureus until I started really doing airway clearance and then it went away without having to take medication.

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This is so helpful. I have never been given any suggestions for clearing so I’m coughing all throughout the day. When you clear out in the morning are most people not coughing up stuff for the remainder of the day?

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1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Feb 19, 2022
In reply to @sharcros "This is so helpful. I have never been given any suggestions for clearing so I’m coughing..." + (show)
@sharcros

This is so helpful. I have never been given any suggestions for clearing so I’m coughing all throughout the day. When you clear out in the morning are most people not coughing up stuff for the remainder of the day?

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Um, no, I still cough, but not nearly as much, or as often. But skip clearance for a few days, oh, yes, I sound like I'm coughing up a lung.
Sue

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hauoli | @hauoli | Feb 19, 2022
In reply to @sueinmn "There is some evidence that 7% saline plus airway clearance can, at very least, prevent further..." + (show)
@sueinmn

There is some evidence that 7% saline plus airway clearance can, at very least, prevent further growth of MAC.
It would be interesting to see if you could find any recent research studies. Are you up for some detective work?
Sue

Jump to this post

Thank you Sue. Yes you are right that 7% saline and airway clearance can at least prevent it from further growth. So far this seems to work for me. I do try to find better ways to get rid of MAC. So far, nebulizing, exercising and a good diet. And trying best to prevent bacteria from getting in, boiling water, masking from dust and dirt particles. Breath in and out positive thoughts.

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sharcros | @sharcros | Feb 20, 2022
In reply to @sueinmn "There is some evidence that 7% saline plus airway clearance can, at very least, prevent further..." + (show)
@sueinmn

There is some evidence that 7% saline plus airway clearance can, at very least, prevent further growth of MAC.
It would be interesting to see if you could find any recent research studies. Are you up for some detective work?
Sue

Jump to this post

I was diagnosed 5 years ago with Bonchiectisis/MAC and opted to hold off on the 3 medications. It’s been a journey of ups and downs with alternative options but my health has improved. I have not had positive sputum tests for MAC in the last few years. Sometimes I wonder if the first test was a mistake but looking back I’m glad I continued to ask for sputum tests to see what was happening.

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1 reply
BlueSplashGirl/ Carolyn | @bluesplashgirl | Dec 4, 2022

After all these years struggling with MAC and never knowing about chest clearance I found this helpful video.
https://youtu.be/vz2ruFd7d8s
I also use a dry salt inhaler throughout the day, NealMed with sterile water to keep away from nasal drip, and I elevated the head of my bed 4" since I have GERDS. The last two sputum test are finally clear (off the meds). Fingers crossed.
Best to stay clear in any way that helps you to do so.
Good luck!

REPLY
2 replies
rosalynclifton | @rosalynclifton | Dec 4, 2022
In reply to @sueinmn "When you mention airway clearance, are you using saline or another neb first? Also, some people..." + (show)
@sueinmn

When you mention airway clearance, are you using saline or another neb first?
Also, some people have found exercise before clearance helps them bring up the mucus. Have you considered trying it?
Sue

Jump to this post

The exercise does help me. I do my yoga routine after I nebulize saline and cough a lot. It seems to clear me for the day, but does make for a less than pleasant yoga experience.

REPLY
sweethighland | @sweethighland | Dec 4, 2022
In reply to @bluesplashgirl "After all these years struggling with MAC and never knowing about chest clearance I found this..." + (show)
@bluesplashgirl

After all these years struggling with MAC and never knowing about chest clearance I found this helpful video.
https://youtu.be/vz2ruFd7d8s
I also use a dry salt inhaler throughout the day, NealMed with sterile water to keep away from nasal drip, and I elevated the head of my bed 4" since I have GERDS. The last two sputum test are finally clear (off the meds). Fingers crossed.
Best to stay clear in any way that helps you to do so.
Good luck!

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May I know more about dry salt inhaler

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