25. Diagnosed with Traction bronchiectasis

[iamgg]

Hello everyone. Can I ask what is the best equipment to eliminate/ reduce mucus in the airways? I have bronchodilator medicine that I take twice a day but I am not so sure if it really effects. Thank you for those who will and answer and give me pieces of advice. Bless us all. x

[Chip_y2kuk]

I take carbocistine tablets and Hypertonic saline via a nebuliser for mucus clearance

[iamgg in reply to Chip_y2kuk]

Thank you foe the recommendations. Where can I buy those?

[Chip_y2kuk in reply to iamgg]

I don't know where you are however here (the Uk) carbocistine is prescription only

However saline is just basically salty water you can buy that on amazon ..with a suitable nebuliser

[iamgg in reply to Chip_y2kuk]

I am here in the Philippines

[Trentz]

I use an Aerobika and flutter devices.I steam, showers morning and night help. I also use a nebuliser with saline. I use airways clearance exercises as well. I hope this helps.

[iamgg in reply to Trentz]

Thank you. I know this will help me. I cannot really control my condition since my doctor is a general lung specialist. She doesnt really tell me about the best ways to maintain my normal condition. But because she is not an expert in bronchiectasis,that's why I think she can't tell me the best treatments and preventions for me.

[rosco59]

Hi, I have Bronchiectasis and I take Carbocisteine 4 times daily, increasing to 6 if I think I’m becoming unwell. I also use an Aerobika.

Since having too many chest infections last year, I’m on Azithromycin as a prophylactic 3 times weekly.

[iamgg in reply to rosco59]

Yeah, chest infections are really bad. sometimes, I caught infections in every 2, 3 or 4 months which is bad.

[iamgg in reply to iamgg]

Does the medicines work well? Does your doctor recommend it for you?

[rosco59 in reply to iamgg]

I’ve been a lot better since starting both the Carbocisteine and Azithromycin. However, taking Azithromycin on a long term basis (or any antibiotic come to that) is not something I would want to do unless my consultant had insisted, because of side effects and long term effects. As many on this forum will tell you, a specific specialist in Bronchiectasis really helps so it’s worth trying to get referred to one. Unfortunately I still haven’t managed that, but I did get a lot of help from the hospital lung physio after asking to be referred for a pulmonary rehab course. She talked me through chest clearance using an Aerobika and I’m sure this has really helped. Chest clearance is the most important tool we have to keep infections at bay.

I hope this helps and wish you all the best.

[iamgg in reply to rosco59]

Thank you. Can I buy Aerobika without prescription or should I still ask my doctor? By the way, my doctor is a lung specialist but not on bronchiectasis alone. Here in my place, it is hard to find a bronchiectasis expert. I haven't still find out if there is a pulmonary rehab here which I know I have to. By the way I'm from the Philippines.

[rosco59 in reply to iamgg]

I imagine you can buy some sort of breathing device but you need instruction on proper use from a lung physio or your doctor so I would certainly speak to your doctor. Using such devices without proper instruction would, I think, be a very bad idea as you wouldn’t want to exacerbate your lung condition or even just use up a lot of energy to no effect.

[LissacFrance]

My wife who has serious bronchiectasis has physio 3x per week as well as azithromycin 3x per week. In addition we have 2 small dogs that require walks 4x per day. As much exercise as you can manage to make your lungs work and shift the mucus. We also have cats, kittens and horses but that is another story. Take care, Chris.

[iamgg in reply to LissacFrance]

Thank you Chris. That's sounds awesome x

[B0xermad]

Acetylcysteine effervescent tablets once a day and an acapella device works well for me

[iamgg in reply to B0xermad]

Did it recommend to you by your doctor about the tablets you're taking?

[B0xermad in reply to iamgg]

My consultant but on prescription from gp

[iamgg in reply to B0xermad]

Okay, I see. Thank you. Which acapella device are yoh using if I may ask.

[ks1966]

hello. If your physique permits, find about a space. Go down on all four and have your forehead touch the floor. Take deep breaths and exhale till you empty your lungs of air. On the 3-4 go you’ll start hearing a crackling noise. This is the air moving behind the mucus. Exhale with a slight force and the mucus will come out. Do it twice a day if need be. Finally make sure you have a box of tissues right next to you. Good luck

[Superzob]

You could always try N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) if you can’t get carbocysteine on prescription, because NAC is available from health stores and online. I use it myself but not convinced of it’s effectiveness - that may vary between individuals.

[iamgg in reply to Superzob]

Thank you for your recommedation

[Izb1]

Have a look on youtube on how to clear your chest from mucus, some of these exercises are good and really help. If you cant get carbociseine then you can buy Nac effervescent tablets which are used by a few people on here x

[iamgg in reply to Izb1]

Thank. Can I buy Nac even without prescription?

[Izb1 in reply to iamgg]

Yes, plenty of places sell this, places like Amazon, have a look on the internet x

[sheshed01]

Have you ever heard of the smartvest? It uses percussion to rid of mucus and works very well for me. You need a prescription for it and here in US Medic are or other insurance pays for it. At least you could check on it. Mary Lou

[iamgg in reply to sheshed01]

Nice. I'm here in the Philippines. Still don't know if its available here.

[Timberman]

I take carbocisteine 375 mcg and currently use two twice a day (maximum is six per day). This seems to keep my mucus free flowing.

[iamgg in reply to Timberman]

Is carbocisteine an antibiotic?

[Timberman in reply to iamgg]

No; it works by loosening the mucus and making it easier to expel.

[iamgg in reply to Timberman]

Thank you. Can I take it even without prescription from my doctor?

[Timberman in reply to iamgg]

I would never recommend that. Two reasons: You should take qualified advice and you cannot trust medicine bought 'under the counter'; they may be useless or even harmful.

[B0xermad]

This what I get from my respiratory nurse

Acapella choice

[Timberman in reply to B0xermad]

Interesting; my bronch is not that bad I am glad to say. Hurr breathing and some expectoration seems to work well enough.

[iamgg]

Update: I took in NAC (exflem) this evening. It said that it musn't be administer with another drug but I also take in my maintenance which is my bronchodilator medicine. I'll see its effectiveness or what. Hope this gets me better asap.

[Kristicats]

I have emphysema and traction bronchiectasis . I take NAC capsules twice daily to eliminate build up for the bronchiectasis .

[iamgg in reply to Kristicats]

Wow nice. How old are you? Are you still using bronchodilator or not anymore?

[Kristicats in reply to iamgg]

I just have a Spiriva inhaler

[iamgg in reply to Kristicats]

Oh okay sounds good. Does it makes you feel well?

[Mooka]

You had a lot of advice when you posted on the lung conditions thread. Has none of this helped? It does seem that you are not getting a lot of support. Has your sputum been tested to ensure you are in the right antibiotics? It will take some work from you to control this but it will be worth it. The most important thing is to clear the mucus out of your lungs regularly. Perhaps something in this will help you:

asthmaandlung.org.uk/condit...

[iamgg in reply to Mooka]

Thank you so much. Is it just I am worried with mu condition. I don't have any one from here who are reaching for help. Somehow, this site helped me to understand more and to learn how we can manage our conditions. So thank you.