nebuliser recommendations?

[PW_R]

I’m hoping to give nebulised saline a go and was wondering is there much difference in types of nebulisers? It would be for the low % saline as this hasn’t been prescribed by my consultant. Thought it may help to clear some much (chronic bronchitis) as I seem to be tied all the time lately- chest feel tighter, wheezier etc

Do people find nubulised saline effective at all?

[Chip_y2kuk]

Just a word of warning I was told it can trigger an asthma attack and the consultant made me have my first one under test conditions in the hospital ..... and they did spirometry throughout looking for a decline in my fev1

But yes I found saline useful and nebulise 6% twice a day .... but I'm on other stuff to thin down and help break up mucus

[PW_R in reply to Chip_y2kuk]

thanks for you comment and noted re caution. Might have a word with my pharmacist tomorrow when I speak to her re my inhaler.

As a matter of interest what do you use to thin down mucus? And what’s the most effective thing?

[garshe in reply to PW_R]

Carbosisteine thins mucus . xxSheila

[Chip_y2kuk in reply to PW_R]

I'm on spiriva... which is a LAMA (Long Acting Mucinagenic Agonist).... helps break down mucus and open airways as well as

The two that made the most difference are carbocistine and the saline.... carbocistine isn't normally given to asthmatics but its only purpose in life is to break down and thin out mucus

The saline is really really salty and apparently that helps to "draw out moisture from everywhere in your airways" (making it thinner and easier to move) and make the mucus less sticky

When I started the saline I quite literally coughed up a lung .... it was all the mucus clearing and now if I'm coming down with something (virus/pollen) I end up the same way... but do recover faster (and need antibiotics ans steroids less often to recover)

[Chip_y2kuk in reply to PW_R]

As for the types of nebuliser depending on the salt content the tiny fine hole can be blocked quickly so I was recommended the "pari" brand as the mouth piece and medicine cup thing can quite literally be boiled... stopping the salt from building up at all

[PW_R in reply to Chip_y2kuk]

Thanks for your response Chip - very informative.

This blasted disease has worn be down no end. Funnily enough my consultant had recommended Spiriva Respimat but I have started it yet. Is that a fine mist rather than a powder? Does bad asthma produce that quantity of mucus also? I think I have an asthma over lap elements but predominantly chronic bronchitis. My mannitol challenge suggest one a small astham element..and my exhaled nitric oxide has been hoovering around the late 30’s.

How often do you neb? If there’s more mucus than normal do you have lower energy levels?

[Chip_y2kuk in reply to PW_R]

So I've been in a bit of a whirlwind with my asthma diagnosis the last 7 years I've had "varying opinions" shall we say (everything from its in my head to heart failure) ... however I'm now under the severe asthma clinic and they have confirmed large airway collapse and suspect (from the last letter they wrote to me and my gp) "a mucus asthma phenotype " (whatever one of those is)

But yes when my breathing goes down hill it's definitely tiring and my heart rate jumps into the 100+ bpm

As for spiriva respimat yes it's a fine mist rather than a powder

As for the saline, twice a day I also have respiratory physio to help clear the mucus from my airways, again this is twice a day and an aerobika for when it's being really stubborn or I'm unwell/ I feel it wil be beneficial

[Cloudancer]

I would run it by your respiratory team.I have severe asthma and a saline nebulizer given in hospital triggered an attack.

Do let us know how you get on and I wish you well.

[Shonkie]

Another word of warning. I used nebusal for some time but it badly affected my throat. I became hoarse, coughed a lot sore throat etc. Not understanding the problem I kept using it and ended up having an endoscope as my GP thought I had cancer. In fairness I am decrepit but I wish I had been warned, be sure to read the leaflet.

[PW_R in reply to Shonkie]

I do find this when I sea swim, which is the best method I have found for bringing up all the gunk. If I bring up alot I have a sore throat from huffing it out & also sometimes hoarse. I feel it’s better out than in but there are also down sides - think can feel a bit raw also in my middle chest area.