Hydro Bubble: Hi. I suffer from... - Lung Conditions C...

Lung Conditions Community Forum

56,728 members67,351 posts

Hydro Bubble

Jeaniseuge profile image
20 Replies

Hi. I suffer from bronchiectasis and have incredible trouble shifting the sputum on my lungs. I take Carbocisteine, Montelukast, Fostair inhaler and nebulise with salbutamol and saline. My breathing exercises give little relief and I have tried a flutter device.

I have just read about the “HydroBubble” device developed at Coventry hospital primarily for the use of young CF patients to make the process of lung clearance more fun. The website states that it may also be useful for patients with other respiratory conditions such as bronchiectasis. Has anyone any experience of using this device?

Information can be found at hydrobubble.co.uk

or

swft.nhs.uk/about-us/news/i...

Written by
Jeaniseuge profile image
Jeaniseuge
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
20 Replies
Swizzy profile image
Swizzy

Have you tried an aerobika device. Over 72 yrs I have tried lots of things but this is the best. The physio can give it to you free of charge. The hydro bubble looks as though it has been developed to encourage children who find the whole thing so tedious. We all know that it can be. I don't see why we couldn't give it a go though.

Santinos profile image
Santinos in reply toSwizzy

I agree, the Aerobika is also adjustable and can be used in any position.

Jeaniseuge profile image
Jeaniseuge in reply toSwizzy

I have seen the Aerobika and considered buying one even though it looks like it works like the flutter device. Just wondered if anyone had tried this HydroBubble as it’s far cheaper to buy. As I am outside of the area where my consultant and respiratory physio are it was not easy to get the flutter device let alone anything else. Thanks for your reply though.

Swizzy profile image
Swizzy in reply toJeaniseuge

Your GP can prescribe the aerobika for you and it is free.It is different to flutter devices and can be used to put nebulised meds through. The hydro bubble is just another form of flutter device involving blowing through water to encourage cf children to do their clearance.

Patk1 profile image
Patk1 in reply toJeaniseuge

I've not seen that but I use aerobika in combination with various techniques - see aluk website for lung clearance techniques. I use salbutamol neb followed by hypertonic saline 7%.the aerobika is a flutter device and in uk is available on prescription x

Alberta56 profile image
Alberta56

Your doctor can prescribe an AeroBika. You don't have to buy one. I was amazed by the amount of sputum it helped me to bring up and would definitely recommend trying one.

Jeaniseuge profile image
Jeaniseuge

Thanks, well there’s no harm in trying!!

Nickcv profile image
Nickcv

I'm in hospital at the moment on account of a severe exacerbation and have a bottle of sterile water alongside me with a length of plastic tubing as bubble therapy is part of my lung clearance physiotherapy as well as using a nebuliser three times daily. It certainly helps clear the gunk in my lungs.

Jeaniseuge profile image
Jeaniseuge in reply toNickcv

That sounds like the HydroBubble. Glad to hear that it is giving you relief. Get well soon.

LissacFrance profile image
LissacFrance

Hi, you seem to take ll sorts of treatment but not Azithromycin. This is an antibiotic that also works as an antiinflammatory. Before you buy anything else have a cat to your consultant and ask about Azithro. My wife and many others on here take it 3x per week all year round. Little or no side effects but for my wife seems to help. We both had Covid last June and she recovered more quickly than me. Good luck, Chris.

Jeaniseuge profile image
Jeaniseuge in reply toLissacFrance

I have seen that a lot of people are on Azithromycin so I did investigate it but due to possible heart issues I am trying to avoid it. I believe that my real problem is getting the gunk up as it never looks that thick or colourful when it makes an appearance but boy do I feel relief!! Glad to hear that it is working well for your wife.

LissacFrance profile image
LissacFrance in reply toJeaniseuge

I forgot to mention exercise if you are able. My wife managed over 11,000 steps yesterday including time on the exercise bike and in addition we played table tennis for about 30 minutes. She finds the arm movement really does help to clear her lungs. Have a good day, Chris.

Xlizixx profile image
Xlizixx in reply toLissacFrance

Very interesting - about the arm movement.

LissacFrance profile image
LissacFrance in reply toXlizixx

Table tennis is not only good exercise but also good fun unless it is really cold. Our table is outdoors and last week when it was well under zero, 15 minutes was quite enough. Playing TT with gloves on and fleece not easy.

Lutontown profile image
Lutontown

When I find the muck difficult to shift, I get my wife to use our vibrating gun on my back, (I can do my front myself) and this helps to rattle the mucus looser to aid coughing it up.

Phill1 profile image
Phill1

I use the Aerobika which I get from my GP on prescription but quite fancy giving this a go

Would like to hear from anyone that has used the Hydrobubble meanwhile…

Swizzy profile image
Swizzy

I have ordered one as I like to try everything new and it may make the clearance more interesting. I will let everybody know what I thinks

Phill1 profile image
Phill1 in reply toSwizzy

👏👏

Jeaniseuge profile image
Jeaniseuge in reply toSwizzy

Please do.

Germantara profile image
Germantara

Sorry haven't heard of it but if it does work for peaple that would be great

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Aerobika Device

I've recently been diagnosed with Bronchiectasis. I have terrible uncontrollable coughing episodes...
Enable profile image

Acapella on the NHS?

I’m new here and know that my question was answered 7 years ago...just wondered if anything has...
Pennylap profile image

Possible bronchiectasis

So, four years ago I contracted whooping cough at the beginning of the year... and ended 2014 with...
Sooos profile image

“The battle for breath campaign”

Hello everybody. On August 9th I contacted my local MP, who also happens to be the Chancellor of...
LoncinLad profile image

Best place to buy a flutter device and does it work?

Hi again, friends, I am having difficulty getting hold of a flutter device through the nhs. Does...
swimmer profile image

Moderation team

See all
AsthmaandLung profile image
AsthmaandLungAdministrator
moderator_AandLUK profile image
moderator_AandLUKAdministrator
Claire_ALUK profile image
Claire_ALUKAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.