Hi all, I have recently joined your community. I have emphysema and last year was diagnosed with bronchiectasis. I am mostly okay, bar the constant throat clearing, but when I get a chest infection it takes a while to clear - had three doses of antibiotics in December and with the last one also had oral steroids. I stopped smoking 25 years ago but think my lungs are deteriorating anyway.
I wondered if anyone had heard of or tried the Aerosure Medic respiratory device which is supposed to help with mucus relief. I bought it in November on a whim but then did not want to use it with the chest infection.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
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Fionafish
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I can't help with your query about Aerosure but others will be able to, and if you look under Related Posts on the right you'll see some previous posts about it.
If you now have bronchiectasis as well as COPD make sure you take a sputum specimen in to your surgery to make sure your infection responds to the antibiotic you're given.
Hi Fiona, Sue's point about the sputum test is vital. Im another who developed bronchiectasis well after my copd dx. My respiratory nurse and my consultant both say people with bronch should always have ABs for two weeks initially, not one.
I use a flutter device and find this useful - I think the Aerosure may be similar but others will correct me if necessary. Why are you concerned about taking it while you have a chest infection? Id have thought you would use everything you could to get the mucus up.
There is also a recommended breathing routine called Active Cycle of Breathing (ACB) and there are lots of youtubes about how to do this. From reading others' posts, Ive noticed that some people who develop bronch after copd dx, as opposed to those who have had it often from childhood, don't have so much mucus in between infections. But it's still important to get up whatever you can especially when you have an infection.
Can you tell me what are the differences between a flutter device and an aerosure? I find the flutter excellent for shifting mucus which is higher up but not so good for the stuff further down, though that lower down mucus doesnt seem to bother me and I only know its there as the consultant showed it to me on the screen following a CT scan.
I have been using Aerosure for 7 months and I am honestly telling you that it has worked wonders for me. I've gone from having regular flare ups to practically nothing. I had not been out in the garden in the summer for 5 years. I would go out and sit under the umbrella for not more than 40 minutes and I would then need to go back indoors because of being breathless. But this summer in these high temperatures I can sit there all day and do a bit of pottering around. Fantastic!!!. I do plaster myself the children's sun 50 factor lotion , but have still caught a bit of a tan. There was no way that I could have done that before I started using the Aerosure.I can honestly recommend it Fionafish.No more pneumonia and weeks in hospital for me. I have COPD and Lupus. But you do have to buy it yourself as the NHS don't supply them. Best of luck
Very informative post Suzannejames. On the basis of your experience I have decided to buy the Aerosure.....I've been pondering for ages so thanks for posting . 😀😀
Hi Anastasia. I'm just checking to find out if you did buy the Aerosure Mach to help clear your chest. I must still insist that I'm still confident about it and still haven't called in my copd nurse since. I must say I had an infection a few months ago and had 2wks antibiotics and steroids and was ok after that. But I got them from the Dr over a telephone consultation. So please get in touch Anastasia if you can let me know how your getting on with the Aerosure,or anyone else out there that has purchased one. Thanks for all your timeout there. Love Suzanne xx
Thanks for your reply and the information on the ABs is very useful - my surgery is lovely but I don't think they understand much about lung disease so will stock up on sputum bottles and talk with the doctor. I have not seen anyone else as I was told that I needed three infections in a year before referral and that has not happened yet (though has been close). I was told not to exercise with chest infections too so just figured maybe I should not use the Aerosure as I had not tried it when well. Also thanks for the information on ACB.
You don't need three exacerbations to be referred. That is tosh invented by the GP.
You cannot get a positive diagnosis of bronchiectasis without a ct scan ( although I suspect that you do have it). As you said yourself, GPs (your practice) don't know much about lung diseases. They have a set programme for COPD but know absolutely nothing about bronchiectasis. This is why you need to look for a consultant in your area who specialises in bronchiectasis, preferably at a big teaching hospital. They tell your GP how to treat you and you should be able to ring their secretary if you are in trouble.
Take the name to your GP and insist on a referral. Don't take no for an answer and if they prove obstructive begin the complaints procedure. Your ongoing health is more important than their ignorance or laziness. You need the proper drugs sooner than later to prevent more damage.
Some GPs are very very good at treating patients with COPD and bronchiectasis, and work together with the consultant for the good of the patient. My own GP has been brilliant even though I am now under care of respiratory nurses who he copies in on my notes. I went to the surgery last year for an app and he had a respiratory nurse from the hospital sitting in with him during his surgery. If there is something he isn't quite sure of he will e mail to consultant . My Consultant told me that once I drop to two or less infections in a year she will discharge me back to GP and respiratory nurses. Who in the future can refer me back to her if needed. I was diagnosed with copd years ago Emphasemia five years ago and Bronchi via a ct scan two years ago.
How encouraging to hear of a good GP like yours. My own is very good at cooperating with my consultant and even suggested a cooperation between my consultant in Bham and the local hoital to give me IVs at home. This did follow nearly losing me because they let me walk around for six weeks with pneumonia and an empyema and nearly lost me by the time I managed to get myself into the Bham QE and under the care of my consultant. Unfortunately it is not the same for everyone.
Hello! Welcome to the forum. As MrsMummy points out there are several historic posts with replies about the device.
Some folks also use a flutter device to help to clear mucus. There's also the 'huffing technique' see a clip on YouTube for a demonstration. I find this helpful on occasion.
Time to rebuild your immune system now with the help of some probiotic capsules and anything you can afford to boost it. All these infections, winter plus antibiotics will leave you pretty depleted. I prescribe TLC until you're back to strength.
Hi. I have taken probiotics for about 5 years. I stopped taking them 2 years ago for some reason that I cant remember and within 3 weeks the terrible pains in my ribs came back with a vengeance. I also had pneumonia. Went back on them as soon as I came home . I certainly won't sop them again,EVER. Lol I purchased a Aerosure and with the combination of both I have changed my whole way of life. Suzanne jxxxx
Wow, amazing. I'm a bit evangelical about probiotics, always banging on about them, so I'm pleased to read your story. It's gradually coming out in the media about how vital our gut health is to our very existence. xx
This is really useful to know - I didn't end up taking any probiotics after the last lot of antibiotics which was about a month ago so will get some tomorrow. A friend swears by Keffir (goat's yoghurt drink or something) which is probiotic - thanks x
Richard's cost £54.00 not that he got much use out of it. He was adamant that it helped.
I am not an expert on bronchiectasis as I suffer from copd. But from what I have heard from other sufferers you need to be nebulising every day to help clear the gunk from your lungs. Perhaps Hidden or O2Trees will come in as they know a lot more about it. x
Although I have a nebulising machine supplied by respiratory team and nebulisers on standbye I have been told to only use them when I have infection. The reason given was if you take them daily you have nowhere to go when an infection hits. I have Emphasemia bronchiectasis and pseudomonas I hardly ever bring up gunk.
Fair enough clematis, like I said I know very little about bronchiectasis.
I only know from what others have said on here that nebulising is essential for them to clear the deep down gunk from their lungs to try and stop infections from occurring. x
coughalot2 my reply wasn't meant as a criticism I do realise others use it daily, have been tempted to plug in when I have been extra breathless but have always held back just in case. I do like using it and it really has helped, maybe I would just get to used to it if I used it more. I feel really lucky that it was supplied to me after having them on loan three times.
I know you weren't clematis and no way did I take it as such, so no worries there. After all I don't live with your illness and would never to presume to advise those who do. Take care sweetheart. x
Same with me clematis - I've only nebbed during infections and for very short time after. The same reason was given to me about having nothing left otherwise for when i get an infection. Ive no idea what proportion of people with bronch use them every day all the time. Maybe only those who are severe?
The only rule of thumb I've ever heard is to do your physiotherapy - ACB, flutter, etc - every day. But I also only bring up mucus from my lungs when Im ill.
Thank you I have a 31% lung capacity am classed as severe by consultant. Some days I can do lots of things others just feel the need to rest. I am happy with my treatment. Love the respiratory nursing team I can phone them at any time.
Hi Fionafish, I've only just joined this chat room and asked about Aerosure Medic and been directed to your posts 7 months ago. If you have been using it for 7 months can you tell me what you think of it please.
Hi JoM49, have only used it now and again so hard to say. It vibrates the air in your chest so it feels strange but not convinced it shifted much more then some active breathing. Also needs good wash and sterilisation after every use. Sorry can't help much. I am cutting work hours in September as can't work full time anymore with this condition so intend to give it another go - will let you know, best wishes
I've been there; had to reduce hours working for 4 yrs and am now fully retired but... age 68 so am right age. I'm really hesitant about the aerosure because I don't seem to have much mucus but hoping more that the exercise of lungs will help,
It's a strange feeling (vibrating lungs). I'm 60 now and I am finding the long hours tricky as it's hard to make time to do the active breathing which I think is more effective for me - lots of mucus produced here! I also do 45 minutes a day on a cross trainer but would like to fit in a walk or maybe a bike ride. Hope retirement is suiting you well, good luck
Hi JoM 49.I can't recommend Aerosure enough. As I stated in one of my posts that I have been out in the garden most of the day. Something I haven't been able to do for over 5 years. As soon as I get up in the mornings I do the21 puffs and do the 5 minute one about 20 mins laterAlways do it deep and slow. Don't try to hurry it.. I bo this loyalty 3 times a day. I found the results in about an hour. I was amazed. If mine got damaged I would replace it immediately. We wentaway for a few days break my husband had put my wheelchair in the boot. I didn't use it once. We took our time walking around and also sat down occasionally. It was wonderful. Truly from the bottom of my heart all Ive written is the honest truth.Luv u Suzannej
Recommend a Flutter device, to reliably shift mucus, from your dispensary. Aero sure was useless,for me, anyway. Fortunately bought via Amazon so no problem returning it.
Hello Fiona fish and a happy new year to you all. I did an item on Aerosure a few months ago. Please read it and I hope it will help to reassure you. I use it every day without fail. I have had two infections in the last 18 months which is a blessing, as,before I purchased my aerosure it was every couple of months, but I did use it regardless. I did need antibiotics and steroids but other than that I can't tell you more.It is a godsend. Please read my article.Suzanne xx
Hi Fionafish. I use my aerosure three times a day when I have a chest infection. Like yourself I've had three lots of antibiotics .All fourteen days on each course as 7 days is not enough to kick in. All in about 3 months, but, the aerosure clears the mucus and helps me breath much better. It makes your lungs work,so, exercising your lungs makes them stronger. It can confuse me sometimes as I have connective tissue disorder, so, sometimes I don't know if I need to call the copd nurse or it's just a connective 'tissue flare up. I know it's there constantly,but,if it flares up everything else jumps on the bandwagon, bear with it and give your aerosure a try. But you must use it exactly as the directions stated. Try it for once a day to start off. If you get breathless when using it just switch off for a few minutes and carry on. After all were breathless because our lungs are bad. And after all that's why we need to use it. Best wishes Fionnafish and I'll be thinking of you.x Suzanne.
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I payed around £40 for mine if i remember right.
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