clearing mucus-devices

[johngk]

recently diagnosed with bronchiectasis, i am waiting for a physio appointment for exercises to clear mucus

i have been looking on internet and doing ACT exercises while waiting for physio appointment

very little mucus coming up .also been active and taking long walks and again hardly anything coming up . i am infection free at the moment but i believe there could still be mucus lurking and hiding away

so are there any devices anyone could recommend that may help up until my appointment?

[Hidden]

After a lifetime of clearance tecniques, all kinds of flutter devices some free, some very expensive, I was given an aerobika device during my recent 12 week hospital stay. It is by far the best that I have used and it is free to us on the NHS.

[johngk in reply to Hidden]

thanks littlepom

[Nula2]

Hi John and welcome to this very friendly and supportive forum 🙋‍♀️. I agree with Littlepom. The NHS Aerobika device works best for me too. It seems to be effective but much more gentle to use than other devices you can buy. I also find a mug of tea and 100% dark chocolate help (but that might just be me!) Can't exercise really anymore but also find moving around as much as possible beneficial 😊.

[Chip_y2kuk]

Don't know what your doing for mucus clearance but for mucus clearance I use:

Hypertonic saline in a nebuliser

Aerobika (flutter device)

Carbocistine (tablets)

And I have physio techniques to help clear mucus

[johngk in reply to Chip_y2kuk]

Hi Chip

I have carbocistine tablets. i am waiting for physio appointment to advise on techniques and also what else i should use.

[Chip_y2kuk in reply to johngk]

I got my aerobika from the physio ... so may be worth asking about one

[Patk1]

I use an aerobika x

[Egpa]

I also use an AerobiKA, whick the hospital gave me. But I have given up all caffeine, when I am bunged up I have an ordinary cup off tea and it brings up the muck and I feel a lot better. I have to do this about once or twice a month. Good luck . Take care and stay safe.

[johngk in reply to Egpa]

thanks egpa. will ask about aerobika when i see physio

[LissacFrance]

Hi, walking and exercise are the best devices. My wife is just about to finish with her physio session, she is lucky that the physio comes to our house, caravan actually. The bed is higher and harder. this is 3x per week along with Azithromycin 3x per week. Ask you doctor about Azithro. It is an antibiotic, but also works as an antiinflammatory. Godd luck, must take cup of tea to wife. Chris.

[johngk in reply to LissacFrance]

will contact about azithromycin..thanks

[LissacFrance in reply to johngk]

Wihe has had Azithro for last 4 years and it does make a difference. Can`t say for sure that it was because of Azithro, but when we both had Covid, I was ill and she was not. Perhaps some general protection against a virus. Tea now delivered and i`m back to work. Have a good day, Chris.

[organiclady]

I have a morning routine of inhalers, carbocistine and hot cup of tea at about 6.30 - 7.00. Then ten minutes of Bee Gees dancing (on You tube) followed by gardening by bending from the waist downwards, up and down, up and down, doing weeding pruning, a bit of soil loosening, cleaning out the chickens, etc. for about 20 minutes (the time seems to fly by after the Bee Gees) This action moves my mucus, that has been loosened by the carbocistine and hot tea, up to my throat and I can get rid of it easily. I really miss it if it is raining and I can't do gardening so I improvise by clearing out cupboards low down (ugh) but always bending from the waist. The dancing puts me in gear for action and fun and gives me the motivation to do the rest. I also have 2 cups of Mullein tea during the day to keep it loose. Occasionally I use Aerobika but I find I don't need it so much after doing the above. Keeping moving seems to be the best for me, hope this helps.

[johngk in reply to organiclady]

hi organic lady..thanks for tips..your comments about dancingto bee gees made me smile!!i take carbocistine and hot cup of tea first thing so just get to add in gardening and bee gees!!

i am quite active with walking swimming sports coaching but will add in bending down

[LissacFrance in reply to organiclady]

Wow! I`m impressed with all this activity. I`ll pass this on to my wife. Walking dogs, playing table tennis and riding exercise bike is obviously not enough. Have a good day, hope the sun is shining, Chris.

[gingermusic]

I use a saline solution in a nebuliser and find this helps me cough up any mucus when I am unwell.

[B0xermad]

Hi definitely an acapella device or a flutter

[Numptybrain]

I too bring very little mucus up some don’t with bronchiastasis. I take antibiotics and carbo also nebulise 4 x daily, my exercise is limited at the moment due to pleural effusion bilateral so my breathing is severely affected. You’ll get there, it’s early day and new learning

Good luck

Wendy x

[johngk in reply to Numptybrain]

thanks wendy..yes you are right and at start of this challenge so a bit to learn

[Alberta56]

I have an AeroBika and was prescribed Azithromycin and Carbocisteine, which between them seem to deal with my mucus.

[PAP48]

I, too, strongly favour the Aerobika device. I had a flutter device previously but the Aerobika is far better and more gentle. I have Bronchiectasis too, my regime is saline nebuliser, athromycin 3 times a week, Montelukast as I have asthma as well, inhalers and carbocisteine. If you have a pulmonary rehab class near you, I would definitely recommend asking for a referral, The classes are run by respiratory physiotherapists who are so knowledgeable. Good luck, it is a bit of trial and error what suits you best.

[Topsy-Turvey]

I haven bronchiectatsis and was recomended an air physio, you can use it alongside the active breathing.

[johngk in reply to Topsy-Turvey]

Thanks topsy-turvy Turvey