Any advice for chest clearance after a lengthy operation out there please . Am home but Ear still bleeding a little
I’ve not missed a days chest clearance in nearly 3 years and finding it difficult / worrying to put pressure into my aerobika & doing autogenic drainage for fear it may cause my ear to bleed . Can’t seem to bring anything up cos I’m having to be gentler with it.. but have pseudomonas so need to !
Has anyone any post op advice? Is it ok to miss a few days? Does the mucus still all come up days later or will it start blocking my airways ??
Taking 1 x carbocysteine 3 times a day
Thanks in advance ..Pat
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Phill1
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I think you need to ask your ear consultant when the ear is likely to have healed. The only thing I can think of that's even remotely relevant is that, before I was diagnosed, the haemophilus bugs had a high old time in my lungs. When I was eventually told about airways clearance and put on Carbocisteine I was able to cough up the nasties. Are you on Carbocisteine and Azithromycin? They do help. You need to talk this over with your GP or a respiratory person.
Hi.. Thanks for reply..I am on Azith & carbocysteine…have taken a NAC as well today and just had a really productive session .. fingers crossed stays that way !
Hi there, as it's Sunday I doubt your respiratory team are available and the helpline - 0300 222 5800 - isn't open until 9am tomorrow. As you have pseudomonas I'm sure you know it's vital to expel lung mucus as completely as possible.
I hope other more knowledgeable bronchiectasis members will be along soon with some ideas.
If I were you I think I'd increase the Carbocysteine to 2 capsules three times daily to help loosen lung mucus more while the ear healing takes place but I'm not a doctor so perhaps drinking more fluids will help. The last thing you need is a build up fir bugs to quickly multiply hence more clearance &nose blowing, not good for the ear channel.
I used to scuba dive and would often have ear trouble, I recall relieving pressure on one side (when sneezing, blowing my nose or the pressure of flying) by pressing in one nostril and the same side ear, thumb on nostril, finger in ear.
I'd also take extra vitamins especially vitamin C to promote healing.
I'm must stress though that I'm not medically qualified just someone used to a gp practice who've been unhelpful.
This year I had a horrendous virus or pneumonia, I couldn't get through to GP for antibiotics then too delirious to think of 111 or A&E so I ordered some NAC online next day delivery (NAC = N-Acetyl Cysteine) to supplement the Carbocysteine because I'd have run out if I'd upped my prescribed dose of 2 capsules twice daily. My practice are strict about prescribing enough to cover 28 days so it was in desperation.
Call your practice tomorrow 1st thing for extra Carbo to see you through the healing process, explain that it's vital you keep your lungs clear to avoid build up hence liklihood of infection (most have little knowledge of bronchiectasis & receptionist think you mean bronchitis 🙄). Good luck
some really sound advice there thanks..I upped the dose of carbo and took a NAC later morning and have just had a very productive session..in fact couldn’t turn the tap off ! Expelled what seemed like a weeks worth..!.. Did you take the NAC & carbocysteine together for long??..
If I remember rightly I took the NAC for a couple of weeks alongside the Carbocysteine. I never like to suggest self medicating however, I was desperate at the time (last January) and couldn't get hold of gp even though trying several times a day for a week. I even took my winter Azithromycin every day instead of 3 days per week.
The NAC I got from the health food shop is Solgar brand which is a very reputable company.
The only advice I can offer is when I was in a similiar position after some oral work which stopped me using my Acapella. My Lung Pysio said do postural draining she had show me, plus up my breathing daily regime " The Huff " some walking and exercise in as as much as able to do. Also take max Carbosteine and I was on Azthromycin already. Plenty of fluids rest is still vital and good nutrition whilst in recovery. I had lots of chicken broth, liquids good soups. Plus vitamin supplements . Try not to worry today and seek advice if urgent but I would speak to your medical team tomorrow. It will give you advice to your specific needs and peace of mind. Take care and good luck.
Take your time with your soup and try a little bread if you can. Will line your stomach re medications. I find a Banana helpful for that also. Take care. x
I just read you can get oral thrush. Add yogurt and hold and swish around your mouth. My Gp prescribe a good oral gel if gets out of hand with me. It stronger than over the chemist dose.
Thanks for reminder …I would just HATE to go through that again x
Good advice from peege and the others. My bronch consultant (co chairman of BTS ) told me that NAC is better than carbocysteine but that for some reason it is not licensed for NHS. She said buy it on the internet. The whole thing with expelling mucus is that it can be done in a gentle way by draining the lungs and tapping the chest in addition to breathing tecniques. You don't need to be using the aerobika in a harsh way. Long before all of these things were invented (and bronchs physio became mixed up with copd patients who tend to have stickier secretions) we were simple tipped on our sides over the edge of the bed , took deep breaths and tapped our side. It then came up with no violent coughing. As the others said, because you have pseudomonas getting rid of the mucus is essential but be gentle about it. Experiment and be kind to yourself.
I grew up watching my Mother use the old way re postural draining. When I was also diagnosed I was amazed how much more they could teach us re pysio. My one distress was my much delayed diagnosis. Not for the want of trying on my part. Post code lottery even when have strong family history. We have to keep getting the message out there.
I did max on carbo this morning and had a NAC ( I stopped using it months ago.. think I was struggling getting stuff up at the time)
Just had what I’d call an over productive session🙄🙄 couldn’t stop the stuff .! . that was using the aerobika very gently and a bit of tapping as advised . Felt like I bought up a weeks worth.. this chest clearance can be so erratic ..
Have you used NAC and carbocysteine together for a short period? .. thinking I may do the same dosage tomorrow?…x
I don't use either. I can't tolerate carbo and really don't need NAC. Over the years I have used various flutter devices if I had a problem and do like the aerobeka. I think that carbo can make the mucus so runny that there is just so much of it and it is difficult to get rid of. As you say, just keeps coming and coming. If the mucus is allowed to be a bit thicker it is easier to get more of it out at one time.
The problem with bronch is that we are all different and it changes all the time. It's a matter of experimenting with what suits us best. Let us know how you get on.
I increase or decrease carbocysteine depending on how I am.it may help u at minute.u could try percussion,gentle taps on chest and round rib areas which does help when combined with breathing exercises like the huffing technique with acb. X
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