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My Pulmo said no saline alone! Why?

Posted , 5 users are following.

jennifer625
jennifer625

I wonder sometimes about my Pulmonologist. Luckily she has referred me to an excellent regional clinic. So she messaged me in MyChart NOT to use the saline alone after I had asked about it. I hate using Albuterol at night, as it interferes with sleep. She expects me to use half a dose.  So I have BX alone with a lot of pulmonary scarring (fibrosis). I wish she would have told me why. 

Thank you,

Jennifer near Seattle (and the sky grew very dim at 10:02 am) 

2 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • aitarg35939
    aitarg35939 jennifer625

    Posted

    Hi Jennifer

    I'm not sure how you're using, or wanting to use saline, but ,,  did you ask the doc/nurse why you cannot use it as you want to?

    • jennifer625
      jennifer625 aitarg35939

      Posted

      She didn't give me a reason why. The second time I asked her in MyChart messaging she gave a sarcastic reply that she had already said NO do not use. She said I am already getting saline in Albuterol. I am getting frustrated with her.  I would like to use it at night instead of Albuterol. 

    • aitarg35939
      aitarg35939 jennifer625

      Posted

      That is frustrating!  If you've asked twice, I guess she's not going to answer.  One thing I've learned over the years is that here in the States, pulmos tend to be arrogant.  I don't know how you're using the saline - nebulizer?  All I ever do with the stuff is mist or roto-rooter it into my sinuses, depending upon how bad they are.

      Sometimes within a month or 2 that side effect goes away with the albuterol and even ipstropium-albuterol combo, both as inhaler and nebulizer med.  Depends on the patient.  I hope it goes away soon for you.

    • jennifer625
      jennifer625 aitarg35939

      Posted

      I use the albuterol in the nebulizer at home and carry a Pro-Air inhaler when I go out. I was thinking of putting just the saline tube into the nebulizer cup to help loosen the mucus before I go to bed. LOL about the Pulmonologist's attitudes! Though in person she really is very helpful, it's just hard to communicate through email with her.  

    • aitarg35939
      aitarg35939 jennifer625

      Posted

      There are other ways to loosen the mucus, various mucolytics.  They can be combined with an a Capella device or the postural drainage to help.  Maybe your doc doesn't want the extra water pumped into your lungs?  I nebulize a couple of meds, but no saline.

    • jennifer625
      jennifer625 aitarg35939

      Posted

      Hi and thank you. That makes a lot of sense about not too much salty water pumped in! I went back to using 12 Hr. Mucinex twice a day til this exacerbation is over. Today is the last day of my Cefuroxime antibiotic. I started getting a little worse again when I stopped the Prednisone. The doctor I trust (allergist who found the Bronchiectasis) is on vacation so I am trying to figure out other ways to get better. I have an Acapella and am using it. Thanks for replying with a very useful answer.
    • aitarg35939
      aitarg35939 jennifer625

      Posted

      Hi Jennifer

      If you're in the US or Canada, Costco still sells the old Mucus Relief quite cheaply.  It's the exact same thing as mucinex but at a fraction of the price.  My membership fee was earned back in 6 weeks.  I take 1200mg twice daily, 12 hours apart -- well, 1200mg guafenisen, which is the active or only ingredient in plain mucinex & mucus relief.

  • mike47172
    mike47172 jennifer625

    Posted

    Hi jennifer62 , I have COPD and bi-lateral BX, I use nebulised Salbutamol  and Atrovent, both four times a day, but in order to get rid of the muck in my lungs I use

    6% Saline six times a day, Also Mucadine capsules twice a day. As it is so important to shift the mucus, I am surprised you have been told not to use saline. It is a well documented solution. Hope things improve for you.

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