Discussions

Mucolytics are medications that thin or break up the sputum in your lungs, making it easier to cough up and out. These medications assist one to clear out the mucus as much as possible. Below is a link to the different medications. Please let us know if you have any specific questions. Medicines for Airway Clearance | Bronchiectasis and NTM Association

Have looked through the questions/answers on NAC. Saw this about 3 months ago. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12603500/

I have asthma/Bronchiectasis. People taking this were in threads a while ago. I don't want to take more supplements than I have to, and get sick with colds/exacerbations from Oct. -March, but healthy April-Oct. Do those of you who take 1200 of NAC daily, a) still do that and b) any recommendations on just taking it for me between Oct-March?

The Key Difference between the two:

Together, they give a complete picture of function and acid exposure, which is especially important when managing conditions such as BNTM.

If symptoms aren’t improving with standard reflux treatment, pH testing can provide the clarity needed to adjust the plan confidently.

Hi. My diagnosis is mild bronchiectasis. Typically I have to clear airways every 4 to 5 days. But it takes me up to 3 hours to clear airways start to finish. From what I read on this blog, I am slow! Currently steaming for 15 minutes, nebulizing with saline for 15 minutes, postural drainage on one side in 2 positions each about 15-30 minutes with huff coughing which clears that side of my lungs Then back to a little steam, 10-15 more minutes of nebulizing, and then the other side with 2 postures and huff coughs for another 15-30 minutes. There has to be a better way. I've had a lot of recent flares so I am doing this every day to every other day lately. Please advise.

KB

If anyone is on Brinsupri, I would love to hear your expeience

Currently undergoing allergy shots. Lately any exposure to outside air flares the bronchiectasis. Are these flares likely to increase the frequency of the need to clear lungs or will the frequency return to what it has been? When at maintenance with allergy shots, will the difficulty with outside air improve significantly or be gone?.

Nasal washes are solutions used to rinse out your nasal passages and sinuses using a saline(saltwater) mix. I find using these washes beneficial, especially throughout the winter months when we are dealing with dry heat in our homes. These washes moisturize our nasal passages, improving sinus and breathing comfort.

Always use safe water, such as boiled water for 10 minutes, and then cool the water before using.

There are many different brands, with Neil Med being the most advertised brand. Navage Saline Irrigation Starter Kit, Equate Comfort Flow Bottle Nasal Wash System, and Nasalfresh MD Dual Powered Nasal Irrigation System are a few other brands. You can order these on Amazon or purchase them at a local pharmacy.

Do you have any suggestions on nasal washes for our community?

I've been through all processing for the Airtivity clinical trial, and all good so far. Now the stumbling block for me is to produce a good sputum sample. Apparently I won't get on the trial if I cannot produce two good samples. I am not allowed to use hypertonic saline to induce one either. I'm not a good sputum producer, I even tried the Madison & Dale sputum collection method this morning. I'm drinking plenty as well. I can only get lots of little "good" bits, but I don't think collecting throughout the day into one pot is acceptable.

Any other suggestions please. What works for you?

I have had colonized Pseudomonas for 2 years. Recently I took a strong dose of Levaquin (after having no antibiotics for the past 2 years) for pneumonia and the last sputum culture indicated no presence of Pseudomonas.

I fear a reoccurrence and am asking others to comment on this smart and persistent bacteria.

As the cold weather begins to roll in, we must face the fact that flu season is around the corner.
Doing airway clearance regularly may assist you in lessening the chances of respiratory infections.

Hopefully, you were able to get the flu shot- whether it is the basic flu shot or the Fluzone

The link below reviews the different devices and medications for airway clearance.
https://www.bronchiectasisandntminitiative.org/Learn-More/I-am-a-Patient-or-Caregiver/Coping-with-Airway-Mucus

Please let us know if you have any questions.

Cooler weather is around the corner. Tis the season for annual vaccinations and to closely follow your Bronchiectasis action plan. The plan is in the link below:,https://www.bronchiectasisandntminitiative.org/Portals/0/DownloadsLibrary/Files/ActionPlanEnglish.pdf

I would suggest that you print it , so you can review it on a regular basis.

Let us know if you have any specific questions.

If you have answered yes, please read the article below on the potential impact of wood burning stoves on your lung function: https://respiratory-therapy.com/public-health/healthcare-policy/environmental-news/indoor-wood-burning-linked-to-lung-function-decline/?utm_term=RT%20Five%20Oct%202025&utm_campaign_type=newsletter&utm_hsid=346581813&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-85hgtJ6I440gEgnDZGLOjgGLtTye-tO0pFFlIt7LxyZ1kbNByhjdT_QAZDsTGUwW9sa2Fs6hl8gvPi8cxwEL05lYRuXQ&_hsmi=383913554&utm_source=newsletter

It is important to understand the basics of drug formularies, offered by different insurance companies. The formulary lists the drugs by tiers or levels, with tier 1 being the least expensive and the higher tiers being more expensive. Often, your health care provider will start at level 1. Your health care provider will have to have a reason to get a specific drug at an higher tier authorized.it is wise to have an approximate annamount that you will be paying for drugs if you take many drugs. Medicare has a cap of $2000 this year,$2100 for next year. The link below reviews the basics : https://www.goodrx.com/insurance/health-insurance/medication-formulary

Hi Cjack. Dr Sandhaus attended one of the monthly Coffee Breaks and spoke specifically about the overlap of Alpha 1 and bronchiectasis. Check out the recording linked below.

Interested in hearing the experience of others with sleep apnea and their treatment for it

The you tube video below , featuring Jonnie Korinko, COPD Foundation and Emily Whicheloe, Director of Education, Medicare Rights Center presents a comprehensive overview of enrollment in a Medicare plan.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1zBMrG5ieoE

This video was filmed last year but the basic content remains the same. Please lus know if you have any specific questions.

Health care providers use these term frequently. The article below , from the Cleveland Clinic defines the terms, hypoxia, hypoxemia, their causes , symptoms and treatment options: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17727-hypoxemia

Below is an article from Harvard Health on the advantages and disadvantages of telehealth: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/telehealth-the-advantages-and-disadvantages

We would love to hear your comments on both the pros and cons of telehealth from your experiences.

My pulmonologist has recommended that I try Brensocatib which has just been released as a treatment for nonCF bronchiectasis.

Late fall is the best time to get the RSV vaccine. Below is information from the CDC on this vaccine. https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/hcp/vaccine-clinical-guida...

Fluzone is the stronger flu vaccine recommended for people over the age of 65, those on long term immunosuppressants and transplant patients. I usually get my vaccination in mid October; it can take a few weeks to reach a higher level of effectiveness in your body. Below is detailed information on the Fluzone vaccine : https://www.cdc.gov/flu/vaccine-types/flu-zone.html#cdc_generic_section_2-people-who-can-receive-fluzone-high-dose-vaccine

A few vaccinations just have initials , not a completely spelt out name. The link below, from the CDC reviews vaccination recommendations throughout our lifeand the diseases that they protect us against. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz-schedules/downloads/adults-schedule-easy-read.pdf

I found out that I have bronchiectasis and probable NTM last December, and my pulmonologist recommended just watching it for a while. I had a follow-up CT in June and then a bronchoscopy in July because I have never produced any sputum. One of the cultures identified acid fast bacilli but they are still trying to identify the specific one. I feel like I should probably start airway clearance at the very least, and I'm wondering how much time is typically required to do that because I am still working full time and only have 2 -3 free hours per day. I was thinking about cutting back to part time as I transition towards retirement. I'm 65 so that is a possibility, but I do like my current health insurance and worry about the stability of Medicare (I'm currently only on Part D). I'm scheduled to see my doctor on 9/12 so I'm trying to think about how I want to proceed. Thanks for your input!

Poor air quality can really take a toll on respiratory patients, leading to increased inflammation, wheezing, shortness of breath in some individuals. The link below provides a guide for you to better understand the different air quality flags: https://document.airnow.gov/air-quality-guide-for-particle-pollution.pdf

Below is an excellent webinar, designed for respiratory therapists. You can listen and learn a lot from this video if you are not a respiratory therapist. Elevating Awareness of Bronchiectasis
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0RBqnIu-tw&t=1s
Get the latest information on diagnosis, treatments, and ongoing care strategies for bronchiectasis.
Let us know if you have any specific questions,