postural drainage

[Guest guest]

Hello everyone:

You all have been so very helpful to me with all the information

in this group it's much more than our " doctors " seem to tell us and

I'm thankful for your input.

Because I'm new to the group, I was wondering if someone could

help me with HOW and WHEN to do the postural drainage (my pulmonary

dr never mentioned this, but it sure makes sense).

I'm on nebulizer first thing in morning and before bed along

w/Advair, albuterol inhaler and biaxin. I just don't know when to do

it or how. Tried hanging over the bed, but it was too funny cuz my

bed us up high and I almost fell on my head with laughter.

I've been sick this time into the 3rd month and it sure does

take big hunks out of your life! But, again, I'm thankful I found

this group and I thank God for each of you.

Any info would be appreciated.

God Bless, Margaret

[Guest guest]

Norma and Margaret and everyone.......we found a lot of information regarding postural drainage and management of bronch. on CF sites on the Internet. We had a large wedge shaped piece of foam made for and he lies on that in different positions while I use a mechanical percussor on the different lobes. The percussor is called Homedics and has 2 rubber semi-spheres on it which thump up and down at 2 different speeds. I recommend, Margaret, that you try the CF-Cystic Fibrosis sites as bronchiectasis is similar to CF problems with clearing mucus from the lungs to prevent infection.

Good luck!

in Nanaimo,BC,Canadanor236@... wrote:

Margaret,

I just finished a breathing treatment. I use Xopenex instead of Albuterol since I have a heart condition that Albuterol causes me to have fast and irregular heartbeats. I also use MucoMist which thins the mucus. While I am doing my breathing treatment, I also use the vest (website: thevest.com) which shakes the mucus loose. Now I am waiting about 30 minutes and will then put two firm bed pillows on my bed and lie on my back with my hips over the pillows to put me in an elevated position with my hips higher than my head. There are several other positions that you can also use. One is lying on each side with hips on pillow and head lower. There is another one that I would have to check my book about. I find that the first position works best for me since my bronchiectasis is predominately in my lower lobes.

I tried hanging over the bed position too and like you almost fell off the bed. Since I also have osteoporosis and have broken two bones, I did not try that position again.

Hope this helps and God Bless you too, Margaret

Norma

[Guest guest]

Norma and Margaret and everyone.......we found a lot of information regarding postural drainage and management of bronch. on CF sites on the Internet. We had a large wedge shaped piece of foam made for and he lies on that in different positions while I use a mechanical percussor on the different lobes. The percussor is called Homedics and has 2 rubber semi-spheres on it which thump up and down at 2 different speeds. I recommend, Margaret, that you try the CF-Cystic Fibrosis sites as bronchiectasis is similar to CF problems with clearing mucus from the lungs to prevent infection.

Good luck!

in Nanaimo,BC,Canadanor236@... wrote:

Margaret,

I just finished a breathing treatment. I use Xopenex instead of Albuterol since I have a heart condition that Albuterol causes me to have fast and irregular heartbeats. I also use MucoMist which thins the mucus. While I am doing my breathing treatment, I also use the vest (website: thevest.com) which shakes the mucus loose. Now I am waiting about 30 minutes and will then put two firm bed pillows on my bed and lie on my back with my hips over the pillows to put me in an elevated position with my hips higher than my head. There are several other positions that you can also use. One is lying on each side with hips on pillow and head lower. There is another one that I would have to check my book about. I find that the first position works best for me since my bronchiectasis is predominately in my lower lobes.

I tried hanging over the bed position too and like you almost fell off the bed. Since I also have osteoporosis and have broken two bones, I did not try that position again.

Hope this helps and God Bless you too, Margaret

Norma

[Guest guest]

Nona...I always place a beach towel on the floor when I do any kind of floor exercises and also for p.d. just as a precaution. Thanks for sharing. .

[Guest guest]

Jim...I have tried every method and got different suggestions from various doctors about how often and how long one should do p.d. This is what I have discovered from personal experience. If the mucus is loose and coming up without hard coughing, (or should I say "huffing" ) after lying in whatever position for about twenty minutes, then stay in that position until no more mucus can be expectorated. Then try another position that is usually productive, etc.,etc. For me there are some positions that do absolutely nothing for me such as hanging or leaning over a chair or bed or whatever. I have tried doing that for as long as an hour with no result so I never waste my time on that. It depends so much on what areas of the lungs are damaged. Just experiment and see what works best for you. There are papers available that demonstrate the different positions. I got them twenty years ago from a doctor, who was a personal friend, and got a hold of them for me. Perhaps the Lung Association would know where to obtain such items. .

[Guest guest]

Jim and ,

After reading your email about postural drainage, I found the brochure that the respiratory therapist in my pulmonary doctor's office gave me. The title of it is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease--Living With A Chronic Lung Condition. Inside the front cover I found this information. Copywrite date 1995 by Krames Communications, 1100 Grundy Land, San Bruno. CA 94066-3-3- or you can contact the American Lung Association (800) LUNG USA or National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medicine (800) 222-LUNG.

When I saw this post, I thought about what my husband said yesterday when he opened the bedroom door while I was doing my postural drainage. Of course, he had been drinking as usual. He said, "What the h.. are you doing?" That pretty much sums up the support I get from him.

Anyway, I hope this information about the resources for information about postural drainage help you Jim. , you are always so very helpful.

Good Luck, Jim, for your postural drainage.

Norma

[Guest guest]

Hi Jim,

I do postural drainage three times daily, and I will sometimes do an extra treatment when I'm more congested. The treatments usually take up to half an hour each time. I just lie over the bed with two pillows under my hip, and do my own percussion. My only problem with doing it more often is that I get an extremely sore throat and chest muscles from all the huffing and coughing. I don't think we can overdo the postural drainage, but there is no point in pushing it if there is nothing to be coughed up. I think we are the best judge of how our chest feels and when we need to do it. I hope that helps some. Take care.

Love Bunny

-----Original Message-----From: L Gray Sent: Friday, 19 December 2003 1:49 PMTo: bronchiectasis Subject: Re: postural drainage

Here in Sydney I have been told by one bronchiectasis adviser to do the postural drainage only two or three times per day; but by another adviser that it would be good to do it more frequently for shorter periods, eg there's nothing wrong with doing it evry hour for a few minutes each time. Can someone please comment on the best frequency and length? Can we overdo the postural drainage? Jim.

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