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I am Unable to clear the mucus properly.

Posted , 10 users are following.

pam81116
pam81116

I was given an acopella divice by hospital,and I purchased a Futter device,I have tried two puffs of my Ventollin, and one extra puff on my fostair. and end up after both of the devices and a bad headach, I still have not got a clear chest . has any one got any think they have found to work better please.

1 like, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • elizabeth49611
    elizabeth49611 pam81116

    Posted

    Pam,

    Do you use a spacer when using your ventollin inhaler? The spacer helps the puff from hitting the inside of your mouth and a lot more of the med is inhaled into your lungs.

    After you use the acopela or flutter, put your head lower than your lungs (knees and albows) cough and let gravity help bring up the mucus.

    If I get mucus 'caught' in my throat, sipping  ice cold water helps, some people prefer sipping a hot drink.  

    There are times that it just won't come up, if i get my mind off of it, my throat relaxes and I am able to cough it up.

    Hope these tricks help, Beth

    • pam81116
      pam81116 elizabeth49611

      Posted

      Hi Beth, thank you for a good point there, I remember seeing that for exspell you can put pillows under you and lay on the bed and that would  do exaclly what you are talking about. I will give it a try . thank you.

        Hugs Pam

  • charles97600
    charles97600 pam81116

    Posted

    Hello Pam,

    Every day I use a Nebulizer with 3ML of Sodium Cholride Solution,which for me helps break up the sputum,and I just cough it up.it use to be every 6 hrs. now I use it just morning and night,so that works for me and I also use Symbicort twice a day and I seem to have it under control.

    Best,

    Charlie

  • Russell27NOLA
    Russell27NOLA pam81116

    Posted

    Pam, were you recently diagnosesed? Did anyone, like  poulmonary personel show you how to express sputum?

    A general rule is that your body wiill tell you when you need to get sputum out of your airways, but everyone seems to have their own way of diong this.

    One thing I didnt hear you mention was the use of  Saline breathing treatments to help losen the sputum. When I hear more about your situation I may be able to supply some assitance.

    Keep at it and you will find a solution I bet.

    Russ  

    • pam81116
      pam81116 Russell27NOLA

      Posted

      Hi Russell1127NOLA, thank you for your reply,yes I was diagnosed in December last year, I was given one breathing technique to do before i left the hospital just prior to my diagnoses and got a speedy Phisyo apountment when I was given the Acopella devise and given an explanation what was happening. As I was still stugling I got the Flutter from the internet and I have found it more helpfull to me, but never has anything got rid of it all and I am coughing again with in the hour, and in a bit of a mess by about three hours latter and have to do it again.one puff on Fostair, two puffs on ventolin, 10 blows on Flutter try to expell, and rest  then use Flutter again or try 15 blows on Acapella, I am having to do this four times a day. 

       Thank you Pam.

    • mary_ann_0313
      mary_ann_0313 pam81116

      Posted

      I am not sure what the others who are more experienced  would say, but I find that after I have used the nebulizer and then Acapella and Huffing, and cough up as much as I can, then when I stop and rest or walk around (maybe 15 minutes or so later), I get the urge to cough one more time.  That  cough usually completes the mucus expulsion for that treatment.  I am usually clear then and I can feel the difference. You can probably get better info from the more experienced nebulizer users. I have only been doing it for about 6 months.  Be assured that if you can get the hang of the nebulizer treatments and acapella, you will be free of trips to the doctors for infection.  The mucus doesn't get a chance to sit in your lungs to the point of getting infected. Move it out and you will be so much better. Blessings to you as you learn the techniques.  Rest assured we are in the same situation and we depend on using what is necessary to move the mucus from our lungs to the outside of our body. Stay calm and know that it will work when you do it correctly.

      I have just gotten over a virus that has been lingering for about 3 weeks. I was using the nebulizer faithfully to get the mucus out. Today, I had a lung x-ray and there was no pneumonia and my blood test showed no infection.  A year ago, I was going from one infection to another with antibiotics being given more than 3 times a year. I am happy that it is in the past and I have control of it with God's help.

      Blessings,

      Mary Ann

  • mary_ann_0313
    mary_ann_0313 pam81116

    Posted

    As Russ mentioned, you need a nebulizer for the sodium chloride treatment.  That helps to move the mucus.  Also try the huff breathing....it makes you feel like a chicken standing in front of a mirror, but whatever, we do what we need to do to get the mucus to move up from the lungs in order to expel. 

    I know what you mean about the albuterol (Ventolin) medicine. It can give you a nasty headache, especially if you have inhaled it incorrectly. In the meantime, get in touch with your doctor and ask about a nebulizer for home and the sodium chloride vials.  If your insurance doesn't cover it, you can always purchase a nebulizer online. They are around $30. 

    • pam81116
      pam81116 mary_ann_0313

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply Mary ann. I am seeing the doc today, I will ask, may be I will have to wait till I see consultant who is delling with me at the end of March. I did meen to mension , I am on antibiontics three times a week , to see if this stops the chest infections. but i am well aware iff i can keep my lungs clear they will not get infected. 

      Hugs Pam

  • dwilki25
    dwilki25 pam81116

    Posted

    Hi Pam,

    ?I echo some of the other folks comments about nebulising higher % saline.  You will need to do a 'challenge' supervised by the physio's but if you can tolerate 7% that's best.  I found I couldn't as I spent more time coughing than inhaling so use the 4% which I can tollerate reasonably well.  It definitely helps.

    Good Luck

    Dave

  • Frogwartz
    Frogwartz pam81116

    Posted

    Hi, I use a smart vest, it's an airway clearance device, after each nebulizer treatment. My doctor was able to get my insurance to approve it due to the bronchiectasis diagnosis. It's something I would recommend to anyone who has bronchiectasis. The smart vest and symbicort are my best methods for bringing up mucus.

    Laurie

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