I have Bronchiectasis and asthma had have had little success with the breathing and huffing technique to help relieve the congestion in my lungs. My physio. and consultant decided to try me on Hypertonic Chloride solution in my nebuliser. The test went very well and for a short time I could take quite deep breaths and the physio. decided that it would be ok for me to have a month's trial at home. About 11pm yesterday I felt like I had been kicked in lower rib cage right hand side (round the back) by a very angry mule. I have read some of comments about flutter machines etc. and over doing it the first time and wondered is this could be the same kind of thing.
Sue
Written by
bayleyray-uk
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I have bronchiectasis and asthma and use 7% hypertonic, although sometimes I just use 0.9% saline. I am just wondering what strength you have been advised to take and how frequent. You would also need to nebulise a bronchodilator shortly before you use your hypertonic. The main problem with hypertonic in some folks seems to be bronchial spasm which is why you would have the assessment. Just wondering if you went at the physio a bit aggressively (my prob I must admit). If this pain carries on I would defo ring up the nurse who did your assessment or cons sec or visit you GP.
Have you tried isotonic saline i.e. the usual 0.9% and you can also get hypertonic in 3%.
My physiotherapist has written to my Dr that she recommends Sodium Chloride 7% Neb Solution (Hypertonic Saline) to be used once a day in the first instance with the option of another nebule to be used if I am very congested. Yes I do use Ventolin 2.5mg in my nebuliser, if my easy breathe inhaler is not powerful enough (which unfortunately happens more often these days), so I know to use those before I use the Saline Nebs.
Thank you for your advice, like you I think I may have been a bit over enthusiastic with the coughing bit.
I haven't tried the isotonic saline, I think these are possibly the early days for me in the quest to find the right medications and treatments.
I'm surprised Sue they didn't loan you a nebuliser. If at the end of your trial you are happy with the nebs you might want to explain your nebuliser is not powerful enough. The benefit of having a nebuliser from the hospital is they are maintained every year and you get replacement tubing, cups, masks or mouth pieces from the equipment pool. Certainly worth asking.
May be worth asking about 0.9% too, surprised again they didn't start you with that. Might be useful for when you are feeling well as the amount of saline is the same as the body's own.
Glad you take the ventolin - thought you would know that anyway but just checking - not meaning to be rude.
Did your physio talk about PEPs at all i.e. the acapella etc?
No offence taken, have been trying to abbreviate my Q&A's as I tend to write full length novels. but perhaps I've been a little bit to brief.
I have been loaned a respironics inspiration elite nebuliser by the hospital which seems to be fine but did not know about the replacement tubing, cups and mouth pieces or the maintenance. I've just ordered tubing etc. on line so I will know next time I visit my consultant to ask. Thanks for that.
I am finding that between my Doc. and the hospital there is no real communication, so I think I am going to have to get a bit tougher in my approach to them. After 3 months of toing and froing between them I eventually bought myself a peak flow meter!
PEP therapy has not been discussed yet as I have problems with the 'huf' side of things in the active breathing cycle, also they do seem to work very slowly.
I will mention to my physio about the 9% saline. Apparently I have very bacteria loving lungs which I always have some infection lurking.
Ah well, thanks for all your advice it is appreciated.
can only speak for myself, started to use saline about 2 years ago, found it to be best thing i have ever had, none of those tablets worked for me to shift the mucus which for me is very thick, it gets stuck in airways blocking my breathing and just would not shift, since the use of saline it is much more easy to cough up, you have to get use to it if you are on strong saline, mine is Mucoclear 6% some take 7% can burn your nose a bit but does not trouble me at all compared to being able to clear my lungs.
some people say they can't take it but perhaps it is a case of what you want in life, you have to push a bit to get a result, as i say for me it is best thing i ever did, i use 4ml mucoclear twice a day.
How bad am i? well extensive bronchiectasis with FEV1 of 32% hope this helps. racey.
PS just read above posts, 0,.9% is only normal body salt intake used for injections as it is normal to your body, to inhale you need much stronger saline mine is 6% the salt draws the mucus out of the airways, to me bit like putting salt on a slug, it draws the water out and makes it easy to move, don't think .9 would do a lot on thick mucus, it does need a consultant to prescribe it for you..
I did explain to baleyray sweet that 0.9% saline is the same as the body's own but can still be beneficial to some folks to nebulise. They usually give me 0.9 in hospital - usually take in my own Nebusal. I, like you, produce lots of thick gunk and in the main use 7%, but I do get a bit concerned about the high amount of salt content. I know if we do physio after then much of it will be removed in the gunk we get up, but it is still there at the back of my mind but getting the gunk up easier outweighs that in the main.
Do agree hun we have to push whatever meds we use.
Take care
love cx
Hi, I am considering 7% saline nebuliser in between twice daily Salbutamol and Gentamicin.
I am concerned that too much salt will be harmful as my ankles and just above are always swollen.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
saline solution
Bronchiectasis & Nebulised Course Of Hypertonic Saline 7%
Nebuliser to take 7% saline 
