Hydro Bubble

[Jeaniseuge]

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...

[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.

[Hidden in reply to Swizzy]

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

[Jeaniseuge in reply to Swizzy]

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 in reply to Jeaniseuge]

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 in reply to Jeaniseuge]

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]

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]

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

[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 in reply to Nickcv]

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

[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 in reply to LissacFrance]

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 in reply to Jeaniseuge]

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 in reply to LissacFrance]

Very interesting - about the arm movement.

[LissacFrance in reply to Xlizixx]

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]

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]

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]

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 in reply to Swizzy]

👏👏

[Jeaniseuge in reply to Swizzy]

Please do.

[Germantara]

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