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Airway clearance & sputum

In: General Discussion
3 1462
J

I do airway clearance every day using 3% (just started using 7%) hypertonic saline….once in the morning and once late afternoon. I also use the Aerobika after I nebulize the saline. I also take the Big 3 antibiotics 3 days a week even though my last sputum culture was negative for MAC. I also use Albuterol when needed. Within the past week I have not been expelling a significant amount of sputum. Some days there is hardly any mucus. Should I be concerned or is the daily use of airway clearance having an impact?

Latest Activity: July 12, 2022
12
3 Replies

Replies

K

ReRe,

Hello! It seems as if you are doing the right things on a regular basis.
Do you have the energy to do any exercise, a short walk? This assists in addition to the airway clearance if you have the strength to do so.

Have you discussed mucinex or guafenesin with your doctor?

Please keep us posted.

Latest Activity: July 6, 2022
5

Comments

K

I go to pulmonary rehab 3 times a week because my lungs are so bad I use the life2000 non invasive vent to do the exercises which is 30 treadmill 20 nu step.  

Latest Activity: July 7, 2022
3
J

Hi ReRe,

You can put your Aerobika inline with your nebulizer and do two things at once if you want to.

Latest Activity: July 6, 2022
7
ChristinaH

Hi ReRe. Katie, John, and Kandy gave excellent advice. The other thing I would suggest is to continue to hydrate. Hydration can make a big difference in how "sticky" the mucus is. As Katie has mentioned on our site before, they do not recommend humidifiers, so hydration can play a key role in moving mucus as well.

The other thing I might add is that your sputum quantity can ebb and flow depending on the season, allergies, etc. However, I wouldn't lean on that entirely and make sure that the airway clearance routine is working for you. Keep us posted!

Latest Activity: July 7, 2022
11

Comments

J

Thank you all for your responses and suggestions.   I started using the 7% saline in the morning (at first I was having a hard time tolerating the 7% with my lungs) which is helping to thin the mucus.   I follow that with using the Aerobika and physical exercise.  I use 3% saline late afternoon again followed by the Aerobika.....this routine seems to be working.   I also use Albuterol prior to using the saline in a portable nebulizer.....which I love.   It is so easy to use.   In addition, I also take Mucinex once a day.   It is all so cumbersome but has to done.   
Because I tend to have low sodium I also take 1000 mg of sodium chloride orally (prescribed by a nephrologist) so I drink plenty of fluids each day to stay hydrated.  
I am scheduled to go to a family gathering next weekend but I am very concerned about the latest Covid Omnicron Variant of BA4 & BA5.   I amy fully vaccinated and boosted.   Has anyone gone to a family gathering within the past few weeks?
thank you

Latest Activity: July 8, 2022
4
K

Yes 7% is strong and can cause irritation in the airways.  Some mix it with albuterol to help the irritation.  I do mine straight. I finally got the 7% saline but boy did the cost go up.  Medicare doesn't pay for that.  

Latest Activity: July 9, 2022
3
d

I'm using 6% hypertonic saline in my nebuliser once a day in the evening.  Throughout the 20 minutes I use the Aerobika and huff cough.   In the morning, I do just the Aerobika and exercise.   I had NTM but it's gone now - nearly died - advanced etc.  misdiagnosed.   Oh ... and eventually ordered a sweat test from doctor #4.  When the head of the CF clinic fails to do even basic tests to find out the cause of the infection you know you're in trouble...     Hey, everyone here - get a sweat test!

Latest Activity: July 12, 2022
4

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