Bronchiectasis and sputum clearance help

[Phill1]

Hi all

Just wondering if others wake in the night needing to clear their lungs.. spent an hour last night doing AcBT .. not happened before but it’s so tiring.. just frothy stuff .. Had already done ACBT early evening🙄

but wondering when the point comes to ask for /if a flutter device would be helpful/ better….?

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

Hi Phil I would certainly ask about a flutter device mine certainly helps. I'm not sure what AcBT is so forgive me for being a little ignorant. Have a lovely day and take care 😊 Bernadette and Jack 🐕 xxxxxx

[Phill1 in reply to Damon1864]

HiIt’s the Active Cycle Breathing technique

[Phill1 in reply to Damon1864]

A cycle of deep breathing moves that can help being up mucus.. Taught by my Respiratory physio

[Damon1864 Volunteer in reply to Phill1]

Thank you 😊 Bernadette and Jack 🐕 xxxxxx

[Morrison10]

Hi I wake coughing about twice week, hang over side of bed, thumping lungs, usually helps, if not try Aerobika. Don’t know what Acbt is. Good luck

[JetJet]

Hi, my Mum has the same problem. She does her breathing techniques but at night and early hours feels that sputum is stuck in her throat and feels shirt of breath. She says she has to stand up several times in night to clear it. We did get a bed wedge to put under her mattress to help her sleep a little raised so it stays down until morning!!! Only been a few days so not sure how effective or wise it is. I wonder if central heating nit helping although it is off overnight. Hope you find a solution.

[Phill1 in reply to JetJet]

Thanks.. I’ve got one of those V- shaped pillows.. think I’ll try that.. does your mum use a flutter device?

[JetJet in reply to Phill1]

No she doesn't but she has only just seen a consultant last week who wants to refer her to see if any aids may be helpful. Maybe I should try one out..to be honest I don't really know how they work..maybe time to look in depth. St 93 it needs to be easy, gentle but effective! Good luck and would be interested to know what results you have if you try anything new.

[Oshgosh]

I would ask about a flutter. It helps me

[Phill1 in reply to Oshgosh]

Thanks.. which one do you use?

[Oshgosh in reply to Phill1]

I use an Acapella.it’s green.Try to get 1 free from the respiratory team before you think of buying one.

If I’m struggling I use my nebuliser,then use the acapella.this gives me a chance of a few hours sleep

[Patk1 in reply to Phill1]

I use aerobika flutter device

[Lyd12]

Most nights as soon as I lie down I start coughing up mucous, so read a book in between coughing until it’s cleared, usually about three or four large tissues needed.

[Phill1 in reply to Lyd12]

Do you use a flutter device?.. thinking of buying one from Amazon 😬

[Morrison10]

I have to Nebulise twice every day, then sterilise equipment inc Aerobika. Then do postural drainage afterwards. Also pay Physio for twice weekly respiratory physio, helps lot. NHS service plan for my condition PCD says NHS should provide it, I’m 86, was born with PCD have never had NHS respiratory physio! It’s up to us to do what we need, keep going! Best wishes.

[B0xermad]

Definitely a device will help tremendously as it takes all the stress away from coughing it up yourself and hurting your lungs more

[Firefly25]

Hello Phill, I was given an Acapella by the respiratory nurse but didn’t get on very well with it and it became very temperamental (possibly because we have very hard water here which may have clogged it up when cleaning!) I then bought myself an Aerobika from an online pharmacy which I find much more effective- I use it at least once a day as part of my Acbt (and have started using distilled water for sterilisation). You should be able to get either of them on prescription from the respiratory team though. Hope you find something that works for you - good luck 😊

[Phill1 in reply to Firefly25]

Thanks ..awaiting reply from Resp Team 🤞

[Patk1]

Hiya.ive bronchiectasis too.yes I wake approx 2hrly + red to clear whats there.Ru on carbocysteine to thin mucous 2 help get it up easier? Do request the aerobika flutter device too.

[Phill1 in reply to Patk1]

Tried Carbo but didn’t do anything for me.. have queried having a device.. waiting for answer 👍

[Egpa]

I use ventolin then saline through my nebuliser then my AerobiKA during the day and ventolin when I wake coughing in the night, spent 2 night this week in a chair as every time I layer down I coughed. Sleep please.

[Phill1 in reply to Egpa]

Awful isn’t it… Know the feeling ..and I don’t feel I’m that bad with it 🙄

[Patk1 in reply to Egpa]

Ru propped up x

[Egpa in reply to Patk1]

Yes thanks, Sat up in a recliner with just the legs and feet up. So much better that lying down and coughing all night, I think the weathers started it, usual does. X

[Lutontown]

Is that AcBT what I call huffing? We have a vibrator gun, which I get my Mrs. to play on my back. This helps to rattle the mucus in the tubes loose so that you can cough it up. Never tried a flutter device.

[Lutontown]

I also sit upright to sleep, as I find laying flat, mucus tends to accumulate in my tubes. I have an adjustable bed now, but started by sleeping in an armchair at night. Watch out for pressure sores though, with hours and hours sitting on your bum.

[Alberta56]

You do need some sort of device to help you. You should be able to get one on prescription , either an Acapella or an AeroBika. I found my AeroBika really effective when I was very bunged up.

[Phill1 in reply to Alberta56]

Thanks waiting to hear

[asafoetida2020]

Hi Phil, I find having an inhalation of asafoetida oil vapours in the evening reduces my night time coughing and sputum production. I sleep prone (face down) on my bed with a very thin pillow. You could try using a Shaker deluxe device from Powerbreathe.com which loosens mucus as does an iSmart massager.

My bronchiectasis book contains a lot of tips for self care methods.

Good luck for the future.