Can anyone please help me please? I have very severe brochiectasis - mostly in my left lung. Despite all my preparatory drugs, inhalers, etc., I am still doing my lung function drainage for 3 hours a day, that is 1 hour in the morning, 1 hour in the afternoon and one hour in the evening. I have to spend all this time to drain them.
It is putting a great strain on me. How can it be shortened?
Medication. Carbocisteine capsules. Nebuliser. Nasal Sea Pray. Mometasone nasal spray. Not sure when to use the Atrovent inhaler.......before lung clearance, or after, or when needed. Cliff.
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skipwork
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I suggest that you get in touch with your brochiectasis consultant. The fact that you are producing so much mucus seems to indicate that you need a good dose of the right antibiotic to reduce it and then maybe permanent nebulised antibiotic to keep it down. Some of us just do produce a lot of mucus but manage to clear it on one or two sessions per day of about 20 mins. The amount that you are describing needs expert attention.
The consultant has given me a preventative anti-biotic, but it is early days. I have only been taking it for about a week (it is for 3 days a week). Should work soon so I can reduce my postural lung clearance. Thanks for your help. Cliff.
I have just read your previous posts and see that you say that you also have asthma and sarcoidosis. These two conditions add extra complications into the management of your lungs. What you describe may not solely be caused by the bronchiectasis. You really do need the care of a good respiratory consultant.
I saw my consultant two weeks ago. He put me on a permanent course of antibiotics to prevent infections. I take them 3 times a week, as stated They may prevent infections, but they haven't helped with my lung clearance. I am still doing 3 x 1 hour sessions a day. Doesn't improve. I don't know of anything more I can do when I take carbocisteine tablets, a nebuliser, a sea salt nasal spray and a Mometanone nasal spay. It is so tiring, time consuming and discouraging. My left lung is in a very bad condition. So many say they do 2x20 minute sessions a day. If only! Also use an inhaler as needed.
I ask bcos carbocysteine at high dose can sometimes cause an excess of mucous.albeit thinned down.i take 2 carbocysteine 375 mg twice a day but increase to 3x if mucous is too thick. i use ventolin nebuliser followed by 7% hypertronic saline followed by another ventolin.i find it much easier,this way + I feel better for the 2 ventolin ,as 1 just doesnt seem to help me.im v aware of mucous and tend to wake 2 hourlyish ea night so do a quick clearance ea time + same during day,in addition to dedicated sessions.I do still have periodic times where produce much more and its v tiring+ draining of energy.i hope ths may help xxx
I take carbocisteine, but my bronchiectasis is nothing as bad as you seem to be. The carbocisteine is supposed to help if the mucus is thick and difficult to expel. I am unsure if it is very effective for me, but continue to take it. Azithromycin is the main medication I am on. My presenting symptoms are a persistent cough, bit different from yours.
I am not medical trained but I use Carbocisteine three times a day to clear my lungs, I have IPF, but Im sure some Antibiotics would help, seek medial advice.
I used to use my Atrovent inhaler 2 puffs every morning and 2 puffs every night I was doing this for a few years, Then I changed to Atrovent nebules to use in my nebuliser I found this so much better because you get all of the Atrovent into your lungs
I would phone your consultants secretary (hospital switchboard will put you through) and ask her to get him to phone you back as soon as possible, you can phone your chemist and talk to the pharmacist also, they have helped me lots in the past
Hi Skipwork, I had to take up to 6 a day ,but my consultant has changed me to another medication, which I only have to take once a day instead, which appears to be working just as effectively. I'm happier with that.
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