Clearing lungs in Brochiectasis

[Waterfall1950]

Please can people tell me about their regime and methods for best clearing their lungs daily. I don’t seem to get much result from this. I am seeing a physio and have an acupella (not sure of spelling). But it doesn’t seem to help. But then the mucus comes flooding unbidden at other points in the day. What am I doing wrong? Thanks for any suggestions.

[garibaldon]

Hi, Waterfall1950. My morning regime is to take one deep inhale of Ventolin, wait 5 Minutes take two puffs off Symbercort, then I excercise by walking, using the stairs a few time, I keep moving and Drink plenty of water

All of this helps me widen my airways and bring up the sputum of a night’s rest . I also use the gym twice a week and find 1/2 hour on the Row machine beneficial. This is my personal regime , your meds and circumstances may be entirely different. Good luck to you and take care

[rossie1942 in reply to garibaldon]

Hello garibalon may I ask please what dose of symbicort are you on . 100 or 250.thanks very much

[garibaldon in reply to rossie1942]

Hi, Rossie , I’m on 250 dose at the minute. I’m also, I forgot to mention, Incruse Elipa , designed to help clear the mucas. I only starred this a few days ago though I’m don’t seem to find any extra benifit

[rossie1942 in reply to garibaldon]

thanks very much. I am on 1 puffs of 100 and I am wondering if I would be better on 250. most grateful.

[Hidden]

Hi Waterfall. We are all so different and need to discover when is the best time of day to spend time getting the bulk of the mucus out. From six years old I was bullied into doing my breathing exercises and being put over a medieval wooden rack whilst my back was pummelled first thing in the morning because those in charge of me insisted that this was the time to get rid of all of the mucus. They believed then that it all collected over night. What happened. Very little came up and at about lunchtime I would be in agonies in the classroom because I just had to get to the loo before it brought itself up.

Well yes, as is garibaldon’s experience, some of it may come up first thing. However, as I grew up and got to decide for myself I knew that most of it is not ready to be coughed up in the morning but is far more cooperative at lunchtime or early afternoon. I make sure that I am active in the morning. This starts to move it. I don’t need ventolin to move it but I do nebulise saline sometimes, especially when the heat makes it more sticky. I have an aerosure medic device which I use if it is really sticky. Everybody with bronch is so different that it is trial and error to find out what helps you best.

By lunchtime I am able to spend 20-30 mins just getting it out. Most of the time it is runny so it is easy. At other times I do the cycle of breathing which I presume the physio has taught you. If it is not cooperating I sometimes lie on my side over the side of the bed, patting my ribs, I do upside down pilate or yoga movements.Anything to relieve the lifetime tedium.

Of course, if I am out for the day I have to know where the loo is. I listen to my body and no matter where I am I go and do it. Yes, even on a comfort stop in the Jordanian desert on my recent trip to Petra.

I hope that helps a bit. Listen to your body and remember you are in charge.

[Waterfall1950 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much. That’s such a Relief to hear. My physiology told me I need to be learning my lungs three times a day. That’s just not happening. I can’t seem to move anything in the morning and I’m so busy during the day renovating our houseboat that I forget to set aside some time. I think you’re right I need to listen to my body and when I feel it loosening take the opportunity to fully clear it. I can’t tolerate Carbocistine but I have tried an alternative Erdosteine. Do you know anything about this?

[Hidden in reply to Waterfall1950]

I can’t tolerate carbocysteine either. I find that movement, breathing, maybe some kind of flutter device and b minded persistence work best. And sorry, you do have to set aside a time to do this from now on because if you don’t the bugs will have a party in the fluid left down there. They will get out of hand and you will have an exacerbation and feel far too poorly and worn out to work on that boat. The exercise doing that is brilliant for loosening it!

[Waterfall1950 in reply to Hidden]

Yes I’m beginning to see that. I think it’s less that I’m too busy rather that I’m ill disciplined. I have adhd and I find getting routines in place very difficult. I think that’s my main problem. This forum has helped me to see the importance of doing this stuff. X

[Hidden in reply to Waterfall1950]

You’ll get there in your own way.

[Hidden in reply to Waterfall1950]

Sorry waterfall I am talking to somebody else about the same subject and Itapped on the wrong one. I do’t think that you are working on a boat!

[Waterfall1950 in reply to Hidden]

Yes I am. I live on a houseboat which we’re renovating

[Hidden in reply to Waterfall1950]

Oh dear. I think I had better go and lie down. I am losing the plot!

[Bella395]

OH chucks a bit of this, that and the other in to clear his lungs. He’s always clogged up in the morning so he goes on the Smart Vest and has his nebulizer whilst on it. At the moment it’s Colomycin mixed with Salbutamol and saline. Uses Flutter valve afterwards and has a good cough plus huff.

Often that has loosened things up so he goes back on the Vest about an hour later and that clears him for most of the day although he will sometimes use it in the afternoon if he feels he needs it. He always goes back on the Vest about 8pm. He sometimes uses hypertonic saline too. Also has Aerosure PEP device and uses carbocysteine three times a day. With all this the mucous doesn’t stand a chance!

As has been said, it really is vital to clear the lungs if you want to avoid infection. Try to get into a routine. Is your sputum too thick to cough up in the morning? Have you tried nebulizing saline? Also, might be worth trying a Flutter valve. Autogenic drainage might help but is tricky to learn so ask your physiotherapist about it.

[Waterfall1950]

Is a flutter valve different/better than an acupella?

[Bella395]

I haven’t seen the Acapella so cannot say anything about it. The Flutter valve is here: amazon.co.uk/Clement-Clarke...

OH has had his for many, many years and it has been more than worth its weight in gold. However, needs to be used properly.

[janice01]

I use a postural drainage physio bed. Its home made of wood and plywood and put a slim camp bed mattress or sponge (2insdeep). Looks like a paste board (for wall papering) with a raised ledges.

It has folding legs. 1 end say 10in the other end leg 4in. 4inch end has bed/board touching floor.

(It folds in half like a paste board as well)

You lay with head on the lower end, draining the lung before give chest sides a cupped hand banging of 3 cycles with 3-5 breathes between each cycle.

A strong huff (HWWA) hoik before changing sides usually does the job for me. I do this twice daily. More often if needed.

If l have chest infection l have been know to sleep on it overnight. Get head rush but clears lungs.

Hospital recommended doing this x2 daily for life!

If lm well l let it slip to 1 daily.

Like kiddies with cystic fibrosis.

Hope this helps. It should cost about £50 - £70 to home make.

Ive had my one for 13yrs.

Good luck...