Night Sleeping Posture to reduce morning coughing for Bronchiectasis paitent

[enm1sg]

Hi

I am serious Bronchiectasis in both lungs and coughing or mucus is the problem especially when I get up in the morning.

So in order to drain or loosen mucus naturally from lungs in the morning what is the best position for sleeping

Really struggling so kindly advise

[gingermusic]

It is best if you can sleep propped up either with pillows or you could put something under the top end of the bed to raise it, I also read somewhere recently that for your body to be in the correct alignment sleep on your left side if you have lung problems, but no idea if this is correct.

[Stumpy55 in reply to gingermusic]

Hi gingermusic, I find the opposite when sleeping, only being able to sleep on my left side. I also have Emphaseama in both lungs. On occasion whilst sleeping, I have woken up in the middle of the night because through my sleep I've turned over onto left side. In saying all this, everyone is different. ✋️😊

[Stumpy55 in reply to Stumpy55]

I meant to say I sleep on my right side only. 😊

[enm1sg]

Hi many thanks for your kind reply

Problem is I have lots of mucus in my lungs so I was thinking if I use pillow under my head then it will not drain mucus from lungs while sleeping naturally under gravity

So if I did not use any pillow and use pillow under my chest and legs and sleep on my back then it will naturally drain mucus in lungs due to gravity toward my throat and then it will be easy to cough in morning

I am confused may be wrong

[Claudine in reply to enm1sg]

Do you still cough when sleeping on your side? I can't sleep on my back for that reason but alternate from one side to the other (after a visit to the loo!) through the night.

[janice01 in reply to enm1sg]

I raise the bottom of my bed about 6 inches and support the middle with 3 inches then lungs are draining all night....This is only ok for people who can lay flat though.

[enm1sg in reply to janice01]

That's good night if you had only bronchietasis it if you also have acid reflux then stomach acid also drain toward mouth and causing cough and asthma symptoms

[enm1sg in reply to enm1sg]

It's catch 22 situation for me

[sarcoid1234]

Please excuse me if you have read this before. I have copied the information to my computer and use the words each time someone needs advice.

I have a lung condition (sarcoidosis). I have also been diagnosed with bronchiectasis. I wonder if the following would help you.

To clear my lungs of phlegm every morning and before bed I do Active Cycle of Breathing technique (ACBT) - also known as huffing - which was taught to me by a physiotherapist to cough it up and then I don't cough during the day. If I don't do ACBT at nighttime my lungs "rattle" and can't lie down. There is lots on the internet, especially Youtube, teaching Active Cycle of Breathing Technique (ACBT). I was taught by a physiotherapist to do it lying down on each side but it can be done sitting up.

Also you could ask to see a hospital physiotherapist who could assess you to see if you would be suitable for a nebuliser. You have to be tested to see if you are suitable. They are not very expensive to buy. After seeing a physiotherapist, I am prescribed individual ampoules containing 7% salt solution which I put in the nebuliser and which produce ‘steam’ to loosen the mucus and make it easier to cough up. Or you could put your head over a bowl of very hot water with a towel over your head to loosen the mucus which I used to do before I had my nebuliser.

I also have a Flutter device which I bought which helps if the phlegm occasionally gets particularly stuck (Look on the internet to explain what this is). There is also a device called an acapella which is similar. There is also an Aerosure Medic electric device which is similar, but costs a lot of money.

I never go anywhere without a packet of Fisherman's Friend (includes menthol and eucalyptus), as if I do feel the urge to cough I suck one (a very strong taste so takes some getting used to) and the urge usually disappears.

One last thing. My phlegm is white, but I have been told that if it goes yellow or green that may mean I have an infection and I should ask my doctor's receptionist for a little pot, cough in to it (in private!), and the doctor will send it to the local hospital for analysis to know which is the best antibiotic to fight it.

[Stumpy55]

Hi enm1sg, I also suffer with severe Bronchiectusis, and I sleep in my recliner chair, propped up with pillows. I have to slightly lay on my right side, it helps me breath easier. Unable to sleep on left side at all. Have you tried Carbocisteine? It really works for me and clears my chest of mucus. ✋️😊

[Jilljoyce1962]

I too have bronciactasus which causes me a lot of stress. I nebulizer twice daily with colomysin antibiotic.

Just wanted to say that I have just spent four months in Tenerife to get away from the UK winter. I felt like my condition disappeared. It was amazing.

So to everyone suffering with bronciactasus the warm climate is the key to our disease. It's a shame we can't all live abroad.