Discussions
Discussions
Airway clearance & sputum
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?
Replies
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.
Comments
Hi ReRe,
You can put your Aerobika inline with your nebulizer and do two things at once if you want to.

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!
Comments
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