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Hello everyone!
Our next BronchandNTM360social Coffee Break is Wednesday, August 12, 2026 @ 2:30pm EDT.
Joining us this month is Dr. Shannon Kasperbauer, MD who will discuss "Watchful Waiting"—a proactive monitoring strategy for Nontuberculous Mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease. Standard NTM treatment involves intense, multi-antibiotic regimens lasting a year or longer, often carrying a high risk of side effects. For many patients, immediate medication may not be the best first choice. Learn how active surveillance offers a safe, highly effective alternative to protect lung health without the immediate burden of heavy medication.
We will open the call fifteen minutes early, so please join us if you wish to speak casually with us or other community members. Any health-related discussion will be held until the start of the meeting.
The meeting registration link is here:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZclcuusrDMpG9PrF3BDUA2nw2csTkQsg7EG#/registration
Looking forward to seeing you soon!
Pam,
Great question! I get my flu vaccination in late October. Peak flu season is usually late November to March. We are advised to get the flu vaccination a few weeks before the flu season begins since full immunity takes 10-14 days to kick in.
You can read more about the flu vaccination in the link below:
https://biologyinsights.com/how-long-does-it-take-for-a-flu-shot-to-work/
Dr. Mannino's presentation was very informative. My question concerns the flu vaccine, if you, Katie, or anyone can clarify. I have been told to get the vaccine toward the latter part of the fall, in October or even November. Is this correct? Is getting the flu vaccine in September not advisable; is September too early for the vaccine?
I had the privilege of seeing this device in person at a conference, and it is pretty neat. Are you currently using any airway clearance device? If so, do you feel you are getting adequate airway clearance with it?
I ask because when a new machine comes out, it is natural to think the newest one must be the best or will automatically give better results. But everyone’s airway clearance routine is different, and people respond differently to each method or device.
Your routine is likely working well if, over time, you notice:
• Less chest congestion
• Mucus is easier to bring up
• Better energy and sleep
• Less shortness of breath and chest discomfort
• Fewer flare-ups
Hello! Are you up to watching a short video on immunizations? Immunizations are usually administered in early autumn; it is a good time to review the basics of vaccinations. Dr.David Mannino, pulmonologist and co- founder of the COPD Foundation reviews the different vaccinations for the BNTM community: https://social.bronchandntm.org/resources/detail/4 Please let us know if you have any questions.
Bronchiectasis and NTM Association announces collaboration with Insmed on first-in-disease observational study evaluating real-world effectiveness of brensocatib in non-CF bronchiectasis
Welcome Maggie
Welcome to BronchandNTM360social!
Hello! I have just joined and am looking forward to joining community discussions. I'm interested in this presentation on watch and wait, and am wondering if it will be available for replay after the event? I'm in Australia and won't be able to join - due to time differences. Thanks for any info you can share.
Maggie
I also use mucinex and I use flutter devices
Hi Diane78. I nebulize 7% saline. it helps get the mucus out. Sometimes it's a bit difficult and sometimes it's fairly easy. Good luck. Keep us posted
Tim,
Thank you for your update. I am so glad to read that you have not had a flare up since February. I know that average of a few months to work but it involves an individual’s bone marrow- there could be some outliers that require more time for the medication to be truly effective? Insmed , the manufacturer of Brinsupri will continue to post updates on the drug over time.I am glad you are not experiencing any real side effects. Again, thank you for sharing your experience with the community.
Diane,
Hello! You are most welcome! Guaffenisin , over the counter liquid is another medication option that helps loosen mucus. Check drug interactions with your current medications-Guaffenesin may bother acid reflux in some individuals. I took Mucinex for quite sometime in the past. Below is information on airway clearance: https://social.bronchandntm.org/resources/detail/11
Below is information on medications that can assist to loosen mucus: https://www.bronchandntm.org/For-Patients/Learn-More/Managing-Symptoms-and-Daily-Living/Airway-Mucus-and-Symptom-Support/Medicines-for-Airway-Clearance
Katie
Paul A,
Hello! I have read some very positive results on this device as well. This company was founded during the pandemic to assist people who could not get to the hospital/ pulmonary rehab for airway clearance. The very positive results led the founders to expand their local company. Below is the link on the company: https://libairty.health
i have sent an inquiry to find out more on insurance coverage and I will post as soon as I hear back from them. It is so uplifting to see how so many companies are now interested in creating devices for people with Bronchiectasis/ NTM. :)
Saw this has some very positive results. Not sure if covered by Medicare or VA but interested if anyone has used and feedback.
Thank you for the welcome and advice. I am using a nebulizer and two medications. I just don't create much mucus, but will work on doing mucus clearance. I'll ask my doctor about Mucinex.
Met with my pulmonologist in late July and told her I have not noticed any real discernible change in my mucus production. My chronic cough now is a little bit less but that could also be environmental. No side effects as yet. She explained that BRINSUPRI is designed to work on my bone marrow which in time will alter the over production of mucus. She advised me to continue on the medication since I have had no flare ups since February. So, that’s what I’m doing.
Diane,
Hello! Welcome to the community. I am so glad you found us. Many of us deal with similar symptoms. Fatigue is a common symptom- regular airway clearance helps a lot to get mucus up and out. Have you tried normal saline nebulizers or a mucolytic medication such as Mucinex to assist to bring up the sputum? We are @ here” for you.
Hello. I'm new to the group and have bronchiectasis which was found in an x-ray and I have the Alpha-1 deficiency. I've been using a nebulizer with medication once a day and the Aerobika once a day. I also walk and cycle a few days a week. I have a hard time getting up any mucus and I don't produce much at all because I have a drier form of a cough. I also have esophageal reflux and take a med for that. I worry whether my condition is worse even though I feel fine. I do feel more tired, and I wonder if that's my condition or because I exercise a lot as my pulmonologist has told me it's very important. I see a pulmonologist every six months for breathing tests and sometimes a CT scan. Just wondering if anyone else has a similar situation like mine when it pertains to lack of mucus clearing. Is there anything else I should be doing?
Vinny M,
Thank you for your response regarding editing. I now understand that automatic editing is not available due to security and safety concerns.
SHINGLES VACCINE: ANOTHER LAYER OF PROTECTION FOR THE BNTM COMMUNITY 💙
If you’re living with Bronchiectasis and/or NTM lung disease, protecting your overall health is an important part of managing your respiratory health.
One vaccine worth talking to your healthcare provider about is the shingles (zoster) vaccine.
🦠 Why does shingles matter?
Shingles is caused by reactivation of the chickenpox virus that remains dormant in the body. It can cause a painful rash, nerve pain, and sometimes serious complications.
Why should the BNTM community care?People living with chronic lung disease may already have a lot on their plate. Preventing an additional illness—and the complications that can come with it—is one way to help protect your health and avoid unnecessary setbacks.
💉 Shingrix is the recommended shingles vaccine for adults 50 and older, and it may also be recommended for certain adults 19 and older who are immunocompromised. It is given as a 2-dose series.
Please speak with your doctor to find out if the shingles vaccine is appropriate for you, especially if you take medications that affect your immune system or have other health conditions.
Remember: Vaccines are not about treating BNTM—they’re about preventing additional illnesses that can make living with a chronic lung condition more challenging.
💙 Protect your lungs. Protect your health. Stay up to date on recommended vaccines. Please let us know if you have any specific questions.
Hi Esgred - For new members, editing messages becomes available once a few contributions are made into the community. It's for safety and security.
🫁💙 August is National Immunization Month — a great reminder for people living with Bronchiectasis and NTM lung disease to talk with their healthcare team about staying up to date on recommended vaccines.
Why does this matter?
People with chronic lung conditions may be more vulnerable to respiratory infections, and infections can sometimes lead to increased coughing, mucus production, breathing difficulties, or a worsening of underlying lung disease. Protecting your lungs starts with prevention.
Vaccines may help protect against certain infections, including:
💉 Influenza (flu) — seasonal vaccination can help reduce the risk of flu and its complications.
💉 COVID-19 — COVID-19 vaccination can help reduce the risk of severe illness.
💉 Pneumococcal disease — vaccination can help protect against infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, including pneumonia.
💉 RSV — certain adults, including some older adults and people with specific risk factors, may be eligible for RSV vaccination.
Vaccine recommendations can vary based on your age, health conditions, previous vaccinations, and other individual factors. Your healthcare provider can help determine which vaccines are appropriate for you.
Vaccinations are only one part of protecting your lungs. Airway clearance, good infection-prevention practices, regular medical care, and following your individualized Bronchiectasis/NTM treatment plan all play important roles too.
🫁 Knowledge + prevention + proactive care = stronger lung health.💙
It is a personal decision. Individuals with bronchiectasis should consider limiting outdoor exposure when PM2.5 is elevated, because PM2.5 particles are small enough to travel deep into the lungs and can aggravate respiratory symptoms. Sensitive people , such as Bronchiectasis , asthma and other respiratory illnesses should pay attention to their symptoms. Some people are okay with AQI that is not very high, (less than 100) others are not.
We cannot edit our messages? What I mean is that the forecast for tomorrow is ozone AQI: 90, and PM2.5 AQI: 55. Google AI seems to think that I should stay indoors, and not go outside for 5 hours in the evening.
How do I know when I should stay indoors as far as the Ozone AQI and the PM2.5 AQI (not wildfires, but other PM2.5 sources)?
Brandon,
Thank you for the beautifully written post. Sharing experiences, offering hope to others is a way we all can resemble a lighthouse. I compare my lung disorder to a roller coaster 🎢 at times since my condition fluctuates. I hold onto tightly to the seatbelt of hope on challenging days. Feeling supported makes the ride much easier than riding a rollercoaster alone. 😍😍
I am looking forward to listening to this presentation on “ Watchful Waiting “. It is of utmost importance to make sure that an individual truly needs the multiple antibiotics before starting the standard treatment regime. I hope you can join us for this Coffee ☕️ Break.
🌊💡 Happy National Lighthouse Day! 💡🌊
There’s something pretty special about a lighthouse.
It doesn’t calm the storm. It doesn’t make the waves disappear. It simply keeps shining—a beacon that says, “You’re not alone. There’s land ahead. Keep going.”
And honestly, that made me think about our community. 💙
Living with COPD, bronchiectasis, NTM, or caring for someone who does can sometimes feel like navigating some pretty rough waters. There are days when you know exactly where you’re headed…and others when you’re just looking for a little light to help point the way.
That’s where all of us come in.
Patients sharing what they’ve learned.
Caregivers reminding someone they’re not alone.
Healthcare professionals offering knowledge and guidance.
And community members simply saying, “I’ve been there. You can do this.”
Every time you share an experience, answer a question, welcome someone new, or offer a few encouraging words, you might be somebody’s lighthouse without even realizing it. 🫶
So on this Friday and National Lighthouse Day, here’s a fun question:
💡 How can we be a lighthouse for someone else?
Maybe it’s sharing something you wish you’d known earlier. Maybe it’s checking on someone. Maybe it’s simply shining a little hope into somebody’s day.
And if you’re the one looking for the light right now, keep looking this way. There are a whole lot of lighthouses here. 💙🌊
Happy Friday, everyone! ⚓️💡
World NTM Day, celebrated last Tuesday, 8/4/2026 certainly assisted to increase awareness of NTM worldwide. We can continue to take our part of increasing awareness of NTM by sharing educational resources with others. Below is a link on What is NTM, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Management of NTM and Preventative Measures. https://www.bronchandntm.org/For-Patients/Learn-More/NTM-Infections-and-Co-existing-Conditions/NTM-Lung-Infections
Please let us know if you have any questions. Thank you in advance for assisting us in increasing awareness; the greater the awareness, the greater chances of more research and new drug development. 😍
Das23,
Same here- house to car, simple things are done on high dew point days. I am okay at 60, I start feeling it when it hits mid sixties but the impact is the greatest at 70 and higher. I keep saying to myself,” This too shall pass…”, and I will be able to get out and about soon. 😍
When the dew pt goes over 60 I can feel it. Not so much breathing just overall a little lethargic. It was over 70 here today. Good day to stay in the AC. Not much outdoor activity for me when the dew pt is high. I go from the house-to the car-to the gym-to the car-to the store-to the car-back home. An All AC day😀👍
I thought that I had heard of almost every holiday celebrated but I have never heard of Fresh Breath Day, lol.
Flossing our teeth regularly is similar to doing airway clearance/ airway flossing for our lungs. We may experience GI upset due to the antibiotics and inhalers- good daily oral care and preventative care is of utmost importance. As the quote goes “ an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure “. Keep on flossing 😍.
🌿😁 Happy Fresh Breath Day! 😁🌿
It might sound like a fun holiday, but it's actually a great reminder that taking care of your mouth is another way to take care of your overall health.
When you're living with bronchiectasis, NTM lung disease, COPD, or another chronic lung condition, there's already so much to manage. Airway clearance, nebulizer treatments, medications, doctor visits, and everything else can make the days feel pretty full. It's easy for something as simple as oral care to slip down the priority list.
But your smile deserves a little attention, too! 💙
🪥 Brush twice a day and don't forget to floss.
💧 Stay hydrated when you can, especially if treatments or medications leave your mouth feeling dry.
🦷 Keep up with regular dental visits if you're able.
😊 Celebrate the little confidence boost that comes with a healthy smile and fresh breath!
The truth is, self-care isn't just about the big things. Sometimes it's the small, everyday habits that help us feel a little better, a little stronger, and a little more ready to take on the day.
So today, while we're celebrating Fresh Breath Day, let's also celebrate every step you take to care for yourself. Whether it's finishing your airway clearance, remembering your medications, taking a walk, or simply brushing your teeth before bed—you deserve credit for every one of those victories.
💙 What's one self-care habit that has become part of your daily routine? We'd love to hear what's working for you—you might inspire someone else along the way!
Welcome to our community - we're really glad you're here!
💧 Dew Point Matters More Than You Think! If you live with Bronchiectasis or NTM, you may have noticed that some humid days feel much harder than others. The reason may be the dew point.
The dew point is a measure of how much moisture is in the air. The higher the number, the more humid the air feels.
🌿 When the dew point reaches 70°F or higher, many people with chronic lung disease may experience:
💙 More shortness of breath
💙 Increased coughing
💙 Thicker mucus or more difficulty clearing airways
💙 Fatigue during everyday activities
While not everyone is affected the same way, many people in the Bronchiectasis and NTM community find that high humidity, “ heavy air” can make symptoms feel worse.
🌤️ On high dew point days:
✔️ Plan outdoor activities for the early morning or evening.
✔️ Stay hydrated.
✔️ Take breaks and don’t push yourself.
✔️ If possible, enjoy the comfort of air-conditioned spaces.
✔️ Follow your airway clearance routine as recommended by your healthcare team.
Let’s learn from each other! At what dew point do you begin to notice a difference in your breathing? Is it 60°, 65°, 70°, or even lower? I certainly feel the difference when the dew point is 70 or higher. The dew point is 74 in my area today. Please share your experience in the comments—it may help someone else better understand their own symptoms.
Remember: Weather affects everyone differently. Knowing your personal triggers is one more way to take charge of your lung health. 💙
Welcome K Stark
Kathy,
Hello! Welcome to the community. I fully understand since I have been walking in your shoes off and on for quite some time.Do you think the fluctuations in how you feel are impacted by weather changes or stomach challenges related to medications? Have you been diagnosed with NTM or Bronchiectasis or both? We are here to support you, assist you in creating the best quality of life possible despite the diagnosis. Below is a link for newly diagnosed patients: https://www.bronchandntm.org/For-Patients/Learn-More/Diagnoses-and-Evaluation/Newly-Diagnosed I look forward to hearing back from you. Katie
This is my 1st visit to this site. I am feeling glad to be here. I know so little about my disease & my always questioning myself “is this normal, why do I feel so poorly today but felt so good yesterday…?”
it is hard to make plans not being sure of how I’ll be tomorrow or the next day….
kathy
Laughter may:
🫁 Encourage deeper breathing and help expand the lungs.
💨 Promote better airflow and temporarily increase oxygen intake.
❤️ Reduce stress hormones and help you feel more relaxed.
😊 Boost your mood and strengthen emotional resilience.
🤝 Foster connection with family, friends, and your support community.
While laughter isn’t a substitute for medical treatment or airway clearance, it can be a wonderful complement to your overall wellness routine.
Today, watch a funny movie, call a friend who makes you smile, or enjoy a good laugh with someone you care about.
💙 Breathe. Laugh. Attempt to live life to the fullest, we are much more than our diagnosis. We are here for you! 😍
Pam,
Thank you so much for your positive comments. I wholeheartedly agree that laughter, vitamin L is the best medicine of all. Laughter increases our endorphins.
As they say, “a laugh a day may keep the doctor away”. We all have had days without much laughter on our BNTM journey. However, we must keep on looking for ways to get our minimal quota of laughs in per day. I think Steve Wilson, the Joyologist had recommended a minimal of 12 laughs a day. Unfortunately, we don’t always have the opportunity to meet our personal quotas.
Please feel free to share any thoughts that will assist the members of our community to enjoy a good laugh. 😍🤗😊🎉
If you remember Steve Wilson's presentation on Coffee Break, back a while ago, it was a great one. The subject was humor, and the presentation stuck in my mind that day, that week, and even now I remember how delightful it was. It brightened my day and was truly uplifting, and made me remember something I read in my mom's Reader's Digest (she always had a subscription).....Laughter is the best medicine.
It would be great to have another talk by him.
The NTM Management Tool—is a practical resource designed to help patients stay organized, informed, and actively involved in their care.
Whether you’re tracking symptoms, medications, airway clearance, sputum cultures, appointments, or questions for your healthcare team, this tool can help make managing your journey a little easier.
Every symptom tracked tells a story. Every question asked empowers better care. Take control of your health—one day, and one step at a time.
💙 Have you tried using a management tool to stay organized? We’d love to hear what has helped you most in your NTM journey.
Hello! It is so exciting to see all the scheduled events for the 4th Annual World NTM Day. Were you able to listen to the webinar today on Hemoptysis? I hope that you have registered for the Question-and-Answer session tomorrow afternoon.
Thanks Alyssa
A fun highlight from July was visiting with my childhood best friend. She moved to Australia about seven years ago, and while I’ve been able to see her in my home state of Wisconsin each year, this time she made a special trip to visit me in North Carolina. It was really meaningful to share my life and family with her for 48 hours.
I bet that was scary. I’m glad it subsided quickly. For anyone who hasn’t experienced this before, knowing what to do can ease anxiety and help you respond calmly. Great post Katie!
Today is World NTM Day! Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are microorganisms found naturally in water and soil. Most people breathe them in or swallow them without getting sick, but in some, they can settle in the lungs and thrive in mucus, causing chronic cough, changes in mucus, fatigue, shortness of breath, and fever or night sweats. Today we’re educating the public, raising awareness, and building community to drive research, funding, better treatments, and hope for a cure.
Join us:
- Listen to today’s podcast, Airway Clearance With Dr. Basavaraj https://www.podbean.com/ep/pb-bq9d4-1b2991f
- Watch and share our microlearning videos on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bronchandntm
- Talk about NTM with family and friends.
Comment below and let us know how you helped raise NTM awareness!
It is not our intention to serve as a substitute for medical advice and any content posted should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. We make every effort to support our members, our medical professionals cannot and will not provide a diagnosis or suggest a specific medication; those decisions should be left to your personal medical team. While we encourage individuals to share their personal experiences with COPD, please consult a physician before making changes to your own COPD management plan.
Community posts are monitored by the 360social Community Manager, as well as staff respiratory therapists, educators, and other medical professionals.