OPEP therapy success bronchiectasis

[Stormfever]

17 months of sticky mucus and blocked airways have resulted in many courses of different antibiotics, a bronchoscopy, lung wash, scans, x-rays. I've had diagnoses of asthma, bronchiectasis, nasal polyps, though scans show no bronchiectasis. Tests do show the persistent presence of HIB, which my doctor has given up on as 'it's very common'.

I'm on a permanent low dose of azithromycin, with doxycycline prescribed for 'flare ups'. I also use carbocisteine and asthma inhalers.

Physiotherapy (mucus clearing breathing exercises) worked a little bit. I've taken expensive herbal remedies none of which has had any impact.

What has seemed to help me for the last week - suddenly - is a little plastic device you exhale into, that causes a percussive rhythm known as OPEP therapy. I think Americans call them 'flutter devices'. It's very peculiar.

Has anyone else used these little devices, with any continued improvement?

Should I press the NHS for nebulisers to increase this remedial effect?

[peege]

Hi, I cannot help on nebulisers however, there are a lot of members on the AsthmalungUK forum who use flutter devices to help with clearing their lungs from the excess mucus of bronchiectasis.

If you copy your above post there you'll also have access to previous posts and replies on your queries. Or, simply use the search bar above for flutter devices or nebuliser.

Good luck

Lung Conditions Community Forum = AsthmalungUK (this forum is the asthmauk community)...... Both open to anyone in the world

[runcyclexcski]

Interesting! Never heard of it, but apparently there were recent clinical trials for COPD:

thorax.bmj.com/content/78/2...

[Patk1]

I use an aerobika flutter device,available on prescription in uk.its very gd.carbocysteine is gd for thinning mucous followed by aerobika & acbt to get mucous up

[LoveSkiing]

Is it an aerobika? I was given one to help clear mucous if particularly stubborn. I found doing the active cycle of breathing lying on my side most effective.

I was the same as you, persistent Haemophilus Influenza in sputum samples despite 5 short courses of abx. Consultant initially treated me with carbocisteine, fexofenadine and a 6 week course of antibiotics (i can't remember which one now... i think it might have been clindamycin). I had the Hib men c vaccine too as my bloods showed very low antibody levels. Had bloods 6 months later and were still not high enough so they used a different type of hib men c vaccine. More repeat bloods and levels were normal. Not had a problem since. That was over 3 years ago.

Consultant said to me that if I get another cough like it was to not ignore it and ask GP to do long course of abx not a short one.

Good luck.

[Bella-Bestia]

There is a device available in the UK, it’s called an acapella device. It might be what you’re describing.

In conjunction with Physiotherapy it’s used for people to assist in chest clearance.

B-B

[Shawshank62]

I use an acapella, I saw a private respiratory physio out of my area and she recommended it. She said they give them to their patients on the NHS. I bought mine, I find it really useful and use it every day. I too have asthma and Bronchiectasis it really helps to move the mucus - plenty of videos on YouTube to help with correct use.

[AngDeb999]

hi I have had very similar experience but now on Nucala and off all tablets for bronchiecstas. Spelling is rubbish. I only on forstair now and I use aerobika daily. It’s great not having to cough all the time. Hope you get sorted soon good luck