Lung Clearance

[Pomchii]

I often find clearing my lungs leave me very tired in fact exhausted at times so when I had an appointment with the respiratory consultant I asked her if she could recommend a device I could use to help me clear my lungs more thoroughly at the times when I am feeling ill for example as I am worried that I woudn't be able to clear them properly. She said she could not recommend any device because no matter how weak or ill a person is they would always be able to cough. I am confused by this , my husband was there with me and he was puzzled as well. Any comments would be very helpful thankyou.

[V1burnuM]

I agree, it is exhausting and sometimes can actually hurt my muscles. I find keeping really well hydrated is very important and a warm drink can help loosen stuff up first thing in the morning. Also the lung exercise I was told to do at the hospital does help keep things moving. All my consultant keeps saying is that it’s good I can cough it up, I know that’s true but when you’re the one coughing it up daily it’s very hard. Hope you find something that helps.

[Hidden in reply to V1burnuM]

Please see the response from cofdrop-uk. I agree with everything that she says. Very good advice.

[Pomchii in reply to V1burnuM]

Hello, thanks for replying. I'm glad you mentioned the sore muscles, I am pretty weedy in the upper body and my muscles get sore easily! I was mainly surprised by what the consultant said when I asked her to recommend a device, and she replied that no matter how ill or exhausted a person is they can still cough up sputem! She obviously doesn't suffer this herself. Many thanks.

[V1burnuM in reply to Pomchii]

I agree Pomchii, that was a very thoughtless thing to say. On a par with my GP a few years ago when he told me I had two lung diseases and had to learn to manage them, I was very upset at the time and avoided the surgery as much as possible. This plus covid meant I hadn’t actually seen GP face to face since 2018 and when he saw me last week he was shocked how ill I was. I had a chest infection and asthma was very bad. I must say he was very concerned and at last sympathetic and helpful.

[Karenanne61]

My respiratory phsio prescribed a flutter device that helps clear the lungs. You can buy them for around £15 but I found I needed the physios input in using it correctly.

[cofdrop-UK in reply to Karenanne61]

You can get flutters and acapella choice PEPs prescribed by your gp, although they may not know that!Cx

[Shirleyj]

There's a good app I use called autogenic drainage, it just times you to breath and huff cough, check it out, it's free. I do this along side using my flutter device. I also have a Nebuliser which I use with saline, this made a big difference for me. 🌻

[Patk1]

Ru on carbocysteine to thin mucous,to make easier to get up?Also aerobika flutter device is helpful.

If u use salbutamol before clearance,it dilated airways so clearer passage for mucous to come up.

It is tiring.

[Patk1]

BtwWelcome to the forum

A few of us have bronchiectasis .I've got it but also have other multiple complex lung diseases,including respiratory failure type2.

Gp usually have a respiratory/asthma nurse who can be q gd re gadgets etc and prescribe or ask gp to,useful meds etc.

Do drink extra + during clearance as it helps.i find warm bath/ shower helpful too - seems to loosen it.i also do soft punches to chest and ribs

[Nula2 in reply to Patk1]

Hi Pat, As always everybody has given brilliant advice. Could you explain how to do sport punches please. (no problem if it's too complicated !) Thank you 😊xx

[Patk1 in reply to Nula2]

Soz phone changed soft to sport.

I just clench fists and punch/tap along chest and ribs.it causes vibration in lungs + I find it helps x

[cofdrop-UK in reply to Patk1]

Sorry but no, no, no. Please don’t punch. The idea is to use cupped floppy hands, to trap the air which in turn vibrates the chest and loosens any gunk.Cx

[Nula2 in reply to cofdrop-UK]

Ahh thank you also cofdrop, I will probably use cupped hands (mainly because I am all skin and bones so that is more comfortable for me) 😅.Thank you both xxx

[Nula2 in reply to Patk1]

Ahh thank you 😊xx

[Pipswhips]

I was put on carbisistiene by the respiratory reg they do get a bit up but sometimes i end having a coughing fit to get bit more up

[cofdrop-UK]

No wonder you are confused. I nite you state in your profile that you are not sure your consultant has a special interest in bronchiectasis. From her unhelpful and frankly ignorant comment re coughing and lack of effective action, I would guarantee she is not. What is she actually doing at your 6 monthly consultations. Consultants are not the e perts on lung clearance, respiratory physiotherapists are and any proactive bronch consultant would refer you to a resp physio.

I will put up a link for you which I hope you will find very informative. If you click on videos physiotherapists show you various techniques and gadgets to help you huff and cough to clear your lungs effectively. I do think however, that you really need to see a physio face to face as we all take to the method and gadget which suits us best.

Personally I would get in touch with con and request referral to resp physio. Better still I would find a consultant who definitely has a special interest in cf/pcd/bronchiectasis. Take a look online at a large hospital, preferably in your area and as they specialise in your condition would they accept a referral to them (don’t complain about the present one). Once they say yes get your gp to refer. It makes me cross when oeople are being short changed. Good luck.

europeanlunginfo.org/bronch...

Please let us know hiw you get on

Cx

[Pomchii in reply to cofdrop-UK]

thank you, I have only had a telephone consultation with physiotherapist and I think a face to face is needed so will get one sorted.

[Lutontown]

I assume your on Carbocistiene. We have a vibrating gun, which I get my wife to play on my back. This helps to loosen any muck I may have and help to cough it up.

[Pomchii in reply to Lutontown]

Hello, yes I get on ok with carbocisteine and most of the time manage to clear everything (I think) but I do often feel so tired afterwards, I do have arthritis and although I am fully mobile I still have stiff painful joints and maybe this is half the trouble. My husband read about tapping a sufferer's back , sounds a bit like your method so might try that. Thanks

[Hidden]

I can’t add anything to the fantastic information from Cofdrop -uk and say how sorry I am that you found yourself with such a useless and unhelpful ‘consultant’ who sounds as though she has no knowledge of bronch whatsoever.Daily emptying of the mucus using specialised physio tecniques is the key to staying well with bronch. This should NOT involve hard coughing and muscle straining because there are so many ways to loose, liquify and expel it gently.

Any proper bronch specialist will have their own physio who will help you with this and supply flutter devices should you need them.

PLEASE kick this idiot into touch, find a true bronch expert near you, probably at a large teaching hospital. Take the name to your GP and insist on a referral. Do not take no for an answer. Proper management, medical and personal can make all the difference between living a full and positive life and existing with an illness from one exacerbation to the other.

Good luck, we are here for you.

[Pomchii in reply to Hidden]

Hello, I'm afraid I do a lot of straining etc and I worry what will happen if I am bed ridden and cannot manage all this straining! The consultant seemed to suggest that it doesn't matter how weak or ill you are you can still cough therefore no problem clearing lungs - scary stuff I think. I'll get a proper appointment with a physio. Thankyou

[Hidden in reply to Pomchii]

That consultant doesn't know what they are talking about

[MoyB in reply to Hidden]

Here! Here! xx Moy

[Tykelady]

I also suffer from post nasal drip and the morning clearance is quite a revolting business. It usually leaves me with streaming eyes and the need to sit down. I won't be any more graphic than that but I'm sure many of you know what I mean. x

[Pomchii in reply to Tykelady]

Unfortunately I sure do. Having the sinus drip together with the bronchiectasis is a nightmare.

[Alberta56]

When I was very ill one of the pulmonary rehab team came out to me (at the height of the first covid wave) and prescribed Carbocisteine, Azithromycin and an AeroBika, which started bringing up an amazing amount of mucus. Without having to cough too hard. That device was obviously right for me- we are all different, so what suits one person may not suit another. I think the others are right- you need to see a proper bronch person, but you could try asking your GP for Carbocisteine or even an AeroBika before you get to see them. Good luck. xxx

[Gillian_ALUK Partner]

Hi Pomchii. If you'd like to give our Helpline Team a ring on 0300 222 5800 Monday - Friday 9:00am/5:00pm we can arrange for you to speak to our respiratory physiotherapist who might be able to offer some helpful advice and guidance. We're here to help. You're not on your own.

[Pomchii in reply to Gillian_ALUK]

That's very helpful, I will do that, thanks.