Re: my surgery experience

[Guest guest]

hi jen, I just had a right middle lobectomy on january 5th of this year. i am also affected in slightly in both of my lower lobes so I cannot say anything in terms of being cured once the surgery is over. however, as far as recovery from the surgery, i may be of some help...i think a HUGE part of the surgery is dependent on your age and of course your current health (aside from the bronch). the main incision is probably going to be on your back. there will also be 1-2 small incisions for the drainage tubes on your side. i found those incisions to be 10 times worse than the main one on my back. i didn't even know i had anything on my back for 4 days!!! (the epidural helped with that one). my stay while i was in the hospital was pretty easy now that i compare it to my homecoming. the bed moves for you, they bring you your food, you can have walkers and such to help with walking there. those conveniences

most people don't have at home. the only thing i didn't enjoy at the hospital (aside from the horrible food) was (1) the nausea from the drugs and anesthesia and (2) the physio. they had people come and make me turn every which way and cough hard while being shaken. it was pretty uncomfortable, but still bearable. once i got home, i realized how difficult it was to do the smallest thing like sit up. make sure you have someone who can help you as much as possible for the first few weeks. i needed to sleep on a mountain of pillows because i couldn't lay back all the way and i needed help getting down to the pillows and also getting back up. i noticed how much i use those side muscles for everything! walking, going to the bathroom, sitting, laying down, leaning over (you won't be able to pick up something you dropped for a while beeause you won't be able to get to it). you're going to find you will be out of breath easily,

even talking. mainly from the expansion of your chest i think. it's pretty sore. i got tired really easily, i was lazy. i took naps very often. i never felt like doing anything, but knew i had to (so make sure you do too!!!). it does help. moving clears those lungs very easily i found after surgery. even a tiny walk. i was also not able to use my right arm very well after surgery because of the muscles involved that were cut. i'm not sure how it will be for you since your incision will be a bit lower. but anyways, it was hard to carry something as simple as a glass of juice. also things like reaching were hard. it took me about 5 weeks to get back on my feet enough to go to work and sit ALL day. but even that was HARD. i started work off every other day to be able to rest inbetween. it's been 11 weeks now since my surgery. i feel really good. still need to work to get my lung capacity

up to where it was. still the occassional prick of pain in my incisions and still can't exactly run or do something really active without getting really tired and out of breath pretty fast. my family doctor had this done a long time ago (about 25 years ago) when he was 50 (i'm 28). he told me to make sure to walk as much as i can every day. also to not be surprised if i'm a bit out of breath and a bit lazy for about a year. not TOO much, but to an extent. he said that's how long it lasted for him. anyways, i hope this helps. i didn't sugar coat anything so you aren't surprised. feel free to ask anything else you were wondering about. by the way, at no time, did i regret doing the surgery! it feels like you'll never be back to normal again at the beginning, but it's actually over pretty fast (at least for me). again, i want to say that a big part is dependent on age. ok, i guess that's all for

nowbyeclaudia

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[Guest guest]

hi Will from Frisco, yes, even the doctors were introducing me during rounds while in the hospital as ", who is unbelievably young to be having this surgery". they haven't yet been able to find exactly why i have this. i have no family history of anything, i've had almost all available genetic,microbiological, chemical, etc. tests done to find causes and so far i've been coming up clean. so as far as they can tell, i have bronch because of a bad pneumonia i had 7 years ago. my doc says it doesn't sound like it had been bad enough to cause it, but since there are no other leads for causes, we're settling on that one until we figure out something else. anyways, since the pneumonia 7 years ago, i started developing it again and again, each time with the incidences being closer and closer to each other (started off every 6 months, then 4, then 2, etc.). took me 4 respirologists before i found my current one who actually

tells me something more than just walk everyday and it'll go away. so unfortunately, during that time, my bronch got worse and spread a bit. i didn't sleep on my left side for well over 2 years for fear of drainage and spreading (i had done some research and was trying to do anything myself to stop getting sick). anyways, now here i am today. none of the meds were working well, i couldn't do more than walk because i couldn't breath and couldn't stop coughing and walking wasn't enough to clear phlegm and eventually, after my new doc trying everything, we decided on surgery.ta da! i guess that's about itclaudia*smile*

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[Guest guest]

I don't often post, haven't done in years, but still glance over the posts as

they arrive in my

inbox.

My cousin who is now in his 60s had surgery done to remove part of his lung when

he was

only 13 and he went on to have an active career as part of a pop group in

Adelaide in the

60s. He struggles quite a bit now, but most of his adult life he was very

active.

My own daughter was diagnosed with bronch when she was 14 - never did find the

reason

why and she had every test done imaginable. She coughed non-stop for 5 1/2

years and

since then has got progressively better - she missed so much school and then had

to live

at home for 3 years, but she is now graduating from university this year and

hasn't been

back into hospital as an in-patient since her 20th birthday, nearly four years

ago. I'll

never forget that night when she could hardly breathe, but we had to wait until

the

morning to drive the 2 1/2 hours to the hospital (it was worth every mile to go

to a

specialist hospital, mind). She regularly had had IV treatments - every six

weeks at its

worst - and fortunately didn't need surgery. Since then she has managed with

inhalers

and a nebuliser and they are planning to try her without the nebs from July.

What she

didn't admit to them was that she hasn't been too faithful with her nebs for

years. :-) But

she still gets 'best ever' lung functions. Go figure.

Just another experience. Take care of yourselves. We never take good health

for granted

these days.

Lynne, UK

>

> hi Will from Frisco,

> yes, even the doctors were introducing me during rounds while in the hospital

as

" , who is unbelievably young to be having this surgery " .

> they haven't yet been able to find exactly why i have this. i have no family

history of

anything, i've had almost all available genetic,microbiological, chemical, etc.

tests done to

find causes and so far i've been coming up clean. so as far as they can tell, i

have bronch

because of a bad pneumonia i had 7 years ago. my doc says it doesn't sound like

it had

been bad enough to cause it, but since there are no other leads for causes,

we're settling

on that one until we figure out something else.

> anyways, since the pneumonia 7 years ago, i started developing it again and

again, each

time with the incidences being closer and closer to each other (started off

every 6 months,

then 4, then 2, etc.). took me 4 respirologists before i found my current one

who actually

tells me something more than just walk everyday and it'll go away. so

unfortunately,

during that time, my bronch got worse and spread a bit. i didn't sleep on my

left side for

well over 2 years for fear of drainage and spreading (i had done some research

and was

trying to do anything myself to stop getting sick).

> anyways, now here i am today. none of the meds were working well, i couldn't

do more

than walk because i couldn't breath and couldn't stop coughing and walking

wasn't

enough to clear phlegm and eventually, after my new doc trying everything, we

decided on

surgery.

> ta da!

> i guess that's about it

> claudia

> *smile*

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> How low will we go? Check out Yahoo! Messenger's low PC-to-Phone call rates.

>

[Guest guest]

, and others? what is the purpose of a lobectomy?? I see what you

write below, but I'm not sure why the decision to remove part of the lung?

Is it a part that keeps getting infected? And, more info on sleeping on the

right or left side please?? I don't have a productive cough or anything in

there to cough up that I'm aware of so is that still helpful to sleep on a

particular side? And, would I benefit from postural drainage if I have

nothing to drain that I'm aware of? I don't have allergies, asthma, mucus,

etc, just can't breathe well and a chronic dry cough.

Portland, OR 97230

>

>Reply-To: bronchiectasis

>To: bronchiectasis

>Subject: Re: my surgery experience

>Date: Sun, 02 Apr 2006 15:39:36 -0000

>

>I don't often post, haven't done in years, but still glance over the posts

>as they arrive in my

>inbox.

>

>My cousin who is now in his 60s had surgery done to remove part of his lung

>when he was

>only 13 and he went on to have an active career as part of a pop group in

>Adelaide in the

>60s. He struggles quite a bit now, but most of his adult life he was very

>active.

>

>My own daughter was diagnosed with bronch when she was 14 - never did find

>the reason

>why and she had every test done imaginable. She coughed non-stop for 5 1/2

>years and

>since then has got progressively better - she missed so much school and

>then had to live

>at home for 3 years, but she is now graduating from university this year

>and hasn't been

>back into hospital as an in-patient since her 20th birthday, nearly four

>years ago. I'll

>never forget that night when she could hardly breathe, but we had to wait

>until the

>morning to drive the 2 1/2 hours to the hospital (it was worth every mile

>to go to a

>specialist hospital, mind). She regularly had had IV treatments - every

>six weeks at its

>worst - and fortunately didn't need surgery. Since then she has managed

>with inhalers

>and a nebuliser and they are planning to try her without the nebs from

>July. What she

>didn't admit to them was that she hasn't been too faithful with her nebs

>for years. :-) But

>she still gets 'best ever' lung functions. Go figure.

>

>Just another experience. Take care of yourselves. We never take good

>health for granted

>these days.

>

>Lynne, UK

>

>

>

>

>

> >

> > hi Will from Frisco,

> > yes, even the doctors were introducing me during rounds while in the

>hospital as

> " , who is unbelievably young to be having this surgery " .

> > they haven't yet been able to find exactly why i have this. i have no

>family history of

>anything, i've had almost all available genetic,microbiological, chemical,

>etc. tests done to

>find causes and so far i've been coming up clean. so as far as they can

>tell, i have bronch

>because of a bad pneumonia i had 7 years ago. my doc says it doesn't sound

>like it had

>been bad enough to cause it, but since there are no other leads for causes,

>we're settling

>on that one until we figure out something else.

> > anyways, since the pneumonia 7 years ago, i started developing it again

>and again, each

>time with the incidences being closer and closer to each other (started off

>every 6 months,

>then 4, then 2, etc.). took me 4 respirologists before i found my current

>one who actually

>tells me something more than just walk everyday and it'll go away. so

>unfortunately,

>during that time, my bronch got worse and spread a bit. i didn't sleep on

>my left side for

>well over 2 years for fear of drainage and spreading (i had done some

>research and was

>trying to do anything myself to stop getting sick).

> > anyways, now here i am today. none of the meds were working well, i

>couldn't do more

>than walk because i couldn't breath and couldn't stop coughing and walking

>wasn't

>enough to clear phlegm and eventually, after my new doc trying everything,

>we decided on

>surgery.

> > ta da!

> > i guess that's about it

> > claudia

> > *smile*

> >

> >

> > ---------------------------------

> > How low will we go? Check out Yahoo! Messenger's low PC-to-Phone call

>rates.

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

My lobectomy was done almost four years ago. After I started culturing

Pseudomonas and Aspergillus and nothing seemed to control them, three

different doctors recommended removing the damaged lobe. The third

doctor, an infectious disease specialist, said neither the Pseudomonas

nor the Aspergillus could be eradicated and that removing the infected

lobe was the only way to control the infections. It took me six months

to agree to have it done, but I am glad that I finally did it.

As for postural drainage and percussion therapy, it's done to keep

secretions from sitting in the damaged areas of our lungs and causing

infections and more damage. If you have bronchiectasis, you have

damaged areas. The clearer you can keep your lungs, the better off

you'll be in the long run. The purpose of postural drainage is to allow

the secretions to move out of the airways so that they can be coughed

out. Sometimes percussion therapy is done at the same time (having your

back, side, and chest clapped or pounded) to loosen up the junk and help

move it up and out of the airways.

Hope this helps. The more we understand, the better we are at making

decisions regarding our health.

Barb (in Wisconsin)

[Guest guest]

hello to all ......its scotty here droppin a line to

say hi......will i was felling good flim was i thought

gone ...started running 1 to 2 miles a day for a week

got some flim up at first but then i could run good

even cut down a pine tree and did some land scaping

......than got dog tired and not feeling good its been

about a week and a half still tired and feeling

old.....i told my wife i truly didn,t think i was

going to live that long...i even have some dark

circles under my eyes know....this thing seems to go

up and down like a roller coaster.....ears have been

ringing a little for the past 3 months...i am truly

tired of this crap....before i die from my gun does

any won,t my neb and i have (the vest) ...

--- Barb Erdmann wrote:

> Hi ,

>

> My lobectomy was done almost four years ago. After

> I started culturing

> Pseudomonas and Aspergillus and nothing seemed to

> control them, three

> different doctors recommended removing the damaged

> lobe. The third

> doctor, an infectious disease specialist, said

> neither the Pseudomonas

> nor the Aspergillus could be eradicated and that

> removing the infected

> lobe was the only way to control the infections. It

> took me six months

> to agree to have it done, but I am glad that I

> finally did it.

>

> As for postural drainage and percussion therapy,

> it's done to keep

> secretions from sitting in the damaged areas of our

> lungs and causing

> infections and more damage. If you have

> bronchiectasis, you have

> damaged areas. The clearer you can keep your lungs,

> the better off

> you'll be in the long run. The purpose of postural

> drainage is to allow

> the secretions to move out of the airways so that

> they can be coughed

> out. Sometimes percussion therapy is done at the

> same time (having your

> back, side, and chest clapped or pounded) to loosen

> up the junk and help

> move it up and out of the airways.

>

> Hope this helps. The more we understand, the better

> we are at making

> decisions regarding our health.

>

> Barb (in Wisconsin)

>

>

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

y, I get worn down by it all too......have found out though, that if we can hang in there, this too passes and life and breathing get better again. i have recently felt like you in terms of not wanting to hassle with it all anymore. One day leads into another if we let it, and it gets better, dark circles and all! so, hang in there.............

Barb, thanks for the surgery info. I know that I have a lot of diffuse damage, both lungs so not sure if surgery would ever help. Since I have a bronc dx, do i automatically assume that I have secretions and drainage? As far as I know, I don't have mucus or post nasal drip or sinus problems or allergies etc. Mine is the dry cough. (Portland, OR)

Reply-To: bronchiectasis To: bronchiectasis Subject: RE: Re: my surgery experienceDate: Mon, 3 Apr 2006 15:52:02 -0700 (PDT)>hello to all ......its scotty here droppin a line to>say hi......will i was felling good flim was i thought>gone ...started running 1 to 2 miles a day for a week>got some flim up at first but then i could run good>even cut down a pine tree and did some land scaping>.....than got dog tired and not feeling good its been>about a week and a half still tired and feeling>old.....i told my wife i truly didn,t think i was>going to live that long...i even have some dark>circles under my eyes know....this thing seems to go>up and down like a roller coaster.....ears have been>ringing a little for the past 3 months...i am truly>tired of this crap....before i die from my gun does>any won,t my neb and i have (the vest) ...>>--- Barb Erdmann wrote:>> > Hi ,> >> > My lobectomy was done almost four years ago. After> > I started culturing> > Pseudomonas and Aspergillus and nothing seemed to> > control them, three> > different doctors recommended removing the damaged> > lobe. The third> > doctor, an infectious disease specialist, said> > neither the Pseudomonas> > nor the Aspergillus could be eradicated and that> > removing the infected> > lobe was the only way to control the infections. It> > took me six months> > to agree to have it done, but I am glad that I> > finally did it.> >> > As for postural drainage and percussion therapy,> > it's done to keep> > secretions from sitting in the damaged areas of our> > lungs and causing> > infections and more damage. If you have> > bronchiectasis, you have> > damaged areas. The clearer you can keep your lungs,> > the better off> > you'll be in the long run. The purpose of postural> > drainage is to allow> > the secretions to move out of the airways so that> > they can be coughed> > out. Sometimes percussion therapy is done at the> > same time (having your> > back, side, and chest clapped or pounded) to loosen> > up the junk and help> > move it up and out of the airways.> >> > Hope this helps. The more we understand, the better> > we are at making> > decisions regarding our health.> >> > Barb (in Wisconsin)> >> >> >> >>>>__________________________________________________>

[Guest guest]

Hi , My surgery was done for similar reason to Barb. Started with asthma and pneumonia in my early 20s, which resulted in some scarring of tissue, followed by recurring infections on ever shorter time spans, then development of absess and aspergillosis (don't know which came first). I hear its rare to get aspergillosis in all but immuno-suppressed patients. Thank prednisone for that. Ironically, prednisone is a treatment and a potential cause for this if taken for long period. In any case, my doc recommended the surgery due to the recurring infections (29 yo). In hindsight it was probably the right thing to do, though it created some new problems as well (spread of bronchiectasis and hyperallergy). BTW, has anyone had experience inhaling 7% or 3% saline solutions? My doctor advises against 7% solution due to

potential convultions (?), but sounds like from many that it may help. Also, does tea tree/eucalyptus oil really help keep down infections? How is it taken? Thanks all, Will from 'frisco Barb Erdmann wrote: Hi ,My lobectomy was done almost four years ago. After I started culturingPseudomonas and Aspergillus and nothing seemed to control them, threedifferent doctors recommended removing the damaged lobe. The thirddoctor, an infectious disease specialist, said neither the Pseudomonasnor the Aspergillus could be eradicated and that removing the infectedlobe was the only way to control the infections. It took me six monthsto agree to have it done, but I am glad that I finally did

it.As for postural drainage and percussion therapy, it's done to keepsecretions from sitting in the damaged areas of our lungs and causinginfections and more damage. If you have bronchiectasis, you havedamaged areas. The clearer you can keep your lungs, the better offyou'll be in the long run. The purpose of postural drainage is to allowthe secretions to move out of the airways so that they can be coughedout. Sometimes percussion therapy is done at the same time (having yourback, side, and chest clapped or pounded) to loosen up the junk and helpmove it up and out of the airways.Hope this helps. The more we understand, the better we are at makingdecisions regarding our health.Barb (in Wisconsin)

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[Guest guest]

I can't answer for why my cousin who has bronch had his surgery. He's in

Australia and we're in the UK and we don't correspond regularly. The theory

behind him getting bronch in the first place varies from either getting a peanut

or piece of shrapnel trapped in his lung. Maybe back in the 40s doctors

jumped at the idea of surgery more quickly than they do today. It certainly

helped him, apparently.

My own daughter didn't need surgery. She does postural drainage still (when

she gets around to it!) and in the early years I did percussion on her until she

learnt other techniques that she could do on her own in order to be more

independent. There was always something to bring up. My own lungs are

uninfected, no bronch, no smoking, no nuffin', but if I have a go on the

treadmill after a long gap, even I bring up stuff I was unaware of. Presumably

if you've been diagnosed with bronch, then your lobes won't work properly

and the gunk gets trapped. You may well find that using these techniques

(postural drainage etc) that you'll be surprised at how much is trapped and

that if you get it up and out you'll be able to breathe much more easily. I'm

speaking totally as a layperson, not a medic, but certainly as one who has

lived with someone with bronch.

Hope this helps

Lynne, UK

>

> , and others? what is the purpose of a lobectomy?? I see what you

> write below, but I'm not sure why the decision to remove part of the lung?

> Is it a part that keeps getting infected? And, more info on sleeping on the

> right or left side please?? I don't have a productive cough or anything in

> there to cough up that I'm aware of so is that still helpful to sleep on a

> particular side? And, would I benefit from postural drainage if I have

> nothing to drain that I'm aware of? I don't have allergies, asthma, mucus,

> etc, just can't breathe well and a chronic dry cough.

>

[Guest guest]

,

My understanding of coughing is that it is

the body’s way of clearing the lungs and airways. So, if you’re coughing (even dry

coughing) your body is probably trying to clear something out. Do you get infections? Has your doctor ever mentioned postural

drainage? How is your bronch being

treated to prevent further damage?

Do you drink lots of water?

Water is a good way to help thin secretions so they can be cleared out more

easily. I see my pulmonologist

every 1 to 3 months depending on how I’m doing. In fact, I’ll be leaving in a few

minutes for an appointment with him.

I’ve had a resistant infection since Christmas which has very definitely

not been fun. Hope you’re

doing well.

Barb (Wisconsin)

[Guest guest]

Hi, I have a question. I was wondering if I'm doing something wrong. I boil water on the stove and put in 1/2 tsp of non iodized salt and breathe into my lungs and my sinus. It works wonders for me, but after reading all your posts, I'm wondering if that's OK. Any comments?

-------------- Original message from "Carole" : -------------- > Hi Barb, I have recently started nebulising Hypertonic saline..7% > solution I think that is. > I think what your Doctor is worried about is that SOME people may get > a spasm in the airways, especially if they have asthma (I Don't) and I > guess this can be dangerous. > Usually the first time you try it you would use a puffer, ie ventolin > to relax(?) the airways and then try, if the Doctor is seriously > worried you should do it in his office. > This is what I was told, I am not an expert. I have dispensed with the > ventolin, it gives me the shakes and I don't think it helps me much > . The solution I neb. is made up for me by my pharmacist..46 grammes > of non-iodised salt to 1 litre of purified (distilled)

water...even > boiled water will do. I keep this in the refrigerator. My chest > physician told me about this, cheaper than buying single dose and easier. > I really find it loosens the gunk in your lungs and even though I am > normally very productive it helps- > Lots of people use this stuff and I guess if it were really dangerous > warnings would be all over the bronch and CF sites ..maybe I am just > an optimist. Cheers, Carole-- In bronchiectasis , > Chau wrote: > > > > Hi , > > > > My surgery was done for similar reason to Barb. Started with > asthma and pneumonia in my early 20s, which resulted in some scarring > of tissue, followed by recurring infections on ever shorter time > spans, then development of absess and aspergillosis (don't know which > came first). > > > > I hear its rare to g

et aspergillosis in all but immuno-suppressed > patients. Thank prednisone for that. Ironically, prednisone is a > treatment and a potential cause for this if taken for long period. In > any case, my doc recommended the surgery due to the recurring > infections (29 yo). In hindsight it was probably the right thing to > do, though it created some new problems as well (spread of > bronchiectasis and hyperallergy). > > > > BTW, has anyone had experience inhaling 7% or 3% saline solutions? > My doctor advises against 7% solution due to potential convultions > (?), but sounds like from many that it may help. Also, does tea > tree/eucalyptus oil really help keep down infections? How is it taken? > > > > Thanks all, > > Will from 'frisco > > > > > > Barb Erdmann wrote: > > Hi , > > > > My lobectomy was done almost four years ago. After I started culturing > > Pseudomonas and Aspergillus and nothing seemed to control them, three > > different doctors recommended removing the damaged lobe. The third > > doctor, an infectious disease specialist, said neither the Pseudomonas > > nor the Aspergillus could be eradicated and that removing the infected > > lobe was the only way to control the infections. It took me six months > > to agree to have it done, but I am glad that I finally did it. > > > > As for postural drainage and percussion therapy, it's done to keep > > secretions from sitting in the damaged areas of our lungs and causing > > infections and more damage. If you have bronchiectasis, you have > > damaged areas. The clearer you can keep your lungs, the better off > > you'll be in the long run. The purpose of postural drainage is to allow > > th

e secretions to move out of the airways so that they can be coughed > > out. Sometimes percussion therapy is done at the same time (having your > > back, side, and chest clapped or pounded) to loosen up the junk and help > > move it up and out of the airways. > > > > Hope this helps. The more we understand, the better we are at making > > decisions regarding our health. > > > > Barb (in Wisconsin) > > > > > > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > > YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS > > > > > > Visit your group "bronchiectasis" on the web. > > > >

[Guest guest]

-Hello , what could be wrong with that?, people have been

doing it for eons.

The only comment I would make is that there would be virtually no

salt in the steam and in fact what you are breathing is distilled

water.Do you taste any salt on your lips when you do it?

I think the water left in the saucepan just gets saltier!

I guess just keeping the lungs moist is good anyway so if you feel

it is doing you good keep on doing it.

I may be repeating myself here but as it was explained to me the idea

of the hypertonic saline is that it has a diuretic effect on the

suurface of the lungs, drawing water out to create a film or barrier

on the tissue. Probably a small gain but hey, we need all the help we

can get...anyway it loosens the gunk as well, an added bonus.-- In

bronchiectasis , eladutko@... wrote:

>

> Hi, I have a question. I was wondering if I'm doing something

wrong. I boil water on the stove and put in 1/2 tsp of non iodized

salt and breathe into my lungs and my sinus. It works wonders for

me, but after reading all your posts, I'm wondering if that's OK.

Any comments?

>

>

>

> -------------- Original message from " Carole " : -----

---------

>

>

> > Hi Barb, I have recently started nebulising Hypertonic saline..7%

> > solution I think that is.

> > I think what your Doctor is worried about is that SOME people may

get

> > a spasm in the airways, especially if they have asthma (I Don't)

and I

> > guess this can be dangerous.

> > Usually the first time you try it you would use a puffer, ie

ventolin

> > to relax(?) the airways and then try, if the Doctor is seriously

> > worried you should do it in his office.

> > This is what I was told, I am not an expert. I have dispensed

with the

> > ventolin, it gives me the shakes and I don't think it helps me

much

> > . The solution I neb. is made up for me by my pharmacist..46

grammes

> > of non-iodised salt to 1 litre of purified (distilled)

water...even

> > boiled water will do. I keep this in the refrigerator. My chest

> > physician told me about this, cheaper than buying single dose and

easier.

> > I really find it loosens the gunk in your lungs and even though I

am

> > normally very productive it helps-

> > Lots of people use this stuff and I guess if it were really

dangerous

> > warnings would be all over the bronch and CF sites ..maybe I am

just

> > an optimist. Cheers, Carole-- In bronchiectasis ,

> > Chau wrote:

> > >

> > > Hi ,

> > >

> > > My surgery was done for similar reason to Barb. Started with

> > asthma and pneumonia in my early 20s, which resulted in some

scarring

> > of tissue, followed by recurring infections on ever shorter time

> > spans, then development of absess and aspergillosis (don't know

which

> > came first).

> > >

> > > I hear its rare to get aspergillosis in all but immuno-

suppressed

> > patients. Thank prednisone for that. Ironically, prednisone is a

> > treatment and a potential cause for this if taken for long

period. In

> > any case, my doc recommended the surgery due to the recurring

> > infections (29 yo). In hindsight it was probably the right thing

to

> > do, though it created some new problems as well (spread of

> > bronchiectasis and hyperallergy).

> > >

> > > BTW, has anyone had experience inhaling 7% or 3% saline

solutions?

> > My doctor advises against 7% solution due to potential

convultions

> > (?), but sounds like from many that it may help. Also, does tea

> > tree/eucalyptus oil really help keep down infections? How is it

taken?

> > >

> > > Thanks all,

> > > Will from 'frisco

> > >

> > >

> > > Barb Erdmann wrote:

> > > Hi ,

> > >

> > > My lobectomy was done almost four years ago. After I started

culturing

> > > Pseudomonas and Aspergillus and nothing seemed to control them,

three

> > > different doctors recommended removing the damaged lobe. The

third

> > > doctor, an infectious disease specialist, said neither the

Pseudomonas

> > > nor the Aspergillus could be eradicated and that removing the

infected

> > > lobe was the only way to control the infections. It took me six

months

> > > to agree to have it done, but I am glad that I finally did it.

> > >

> > > As for postural drainage and percussion therapy, it's done to

keep

> > > secretions from sitting in the damaged areas of our lungs and

causing

> > > infections and more damage. If you have bronchiectasis, you

have

> > > damaged areas. The clearer you can keep your lungs, the better

off

> > > you'll be in the long run. The purpose of postural drainage is

to allow

> > > the secretions to move out of the airways so that they can be

coughed

> > > out. Sometimes percussion therapy is done at the same time

(having your

> > > back, side, and chest clapped or pounded) to loosen up the junk

and help

> > > move it up and out of the airways.

> > >

> > > Hope this helps. The more we understand, the better we are at

making

> > > decisions regarding our health.

> > >

> > > Barb (in Wisconsin)

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > ---------------------------------

> > > YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS

> > >

> > >

> > > Visit your group " bronchiectasis " on the web.

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

thanks for your swift response, Carole. I was wondering if too much salt could be harmful. But the 1/2 tsp I use does help me a lot.

-------------- Original message from "Carole" : -------------- > -Hello , what could be wrong with that?, people have been > doing it for eons. > > The only comment I would make is that there would be virtually no > salt in the steam and in fact what you are breathing is distilled > water.Do you taste any salt on your lips when you do it? > > I think the water left in the saucepan just gets saltier! > > I guess just keeping the lungs moist is good anyway so if you feel > it is doing you good keep on doing it. > > I may be repeating myself here but as it was explained to me the idea > of the hypertonic saline is that it has a diuretic effect on the > suurface of the lungs, drawing water out to create a film or barrier > on the tissue. Proba

bly a small gain but hey, we need all the help we > can get...anyway it loosens the gunk as well, an added bonus.-- In > bronchiectasis , eladutko@... wrote: > > > > Hi, I have a question. I was wondering if I'm doing something > wrong. I boil water on the stove and put in 1/2 tsp of non iodized > salt and breathe into my lungs and my sinus. It works wonders for > me, but after reading all your posts, I'm wondering if that's OK. > Any comments? > > > > > > > > -------------- Original message from "Carole" : ----- > --------- > > > > > > > Hi Barb, I have recently started nebulising Hypertonic saline..7% > > > solution I think that is. > > > I think what your Doctor is worried about is that SOME people may > get > > > a spasm in the airways, especially if the

y have asthma (I Don't) > and I > > > guess this can be dangerous. > > > Usually the first time you try it you would use a puffer, ie > ventolin > > > to relax(?) the airways and then try, if the Doctor is seriously > > > worried you should do it in his office. > > > This is what I was told, I am not an expert. I have dispensed > with the > > > ventolin, it gives me the shakes and I don't think it helps me > much > > > . The solution I neb. is made up for me by my pharmacist..46 > grammes > > > of non-iodised salt to 1 litre of purified (distilled) > water...even > > > boiled water will do. I keep this in the refrigerator. My chest > > > physician told me about this, cheaper than buying single dose and > easier. > > > I really find it loosens the gunk in your lungs and even though I > a

m > > > normally very productive it helps- > > > Lots of people use this stuff and I guess if it were really > dangerous > > > warnings would be all over the bronch and CF sites ..maybe I am > just > > > an optimist. Cheers, Carole-- In bronchiectasis , > > > Chau wrote: > > > > > > > > Hi , > > > > > > > > My surgery was done for similar reason to Barb. Started with > > > asthma and pneumonia in my early 20s, which resulted in some > scarring > > > of tissue, followed by recurring infections on ever shorter time > > > spans, then development of absess and aspergillosis (don't know > which > > > came first). > > > > > > > > I hear its rare to get aspergillosis in all but immuno- > suppressed > > > patients. Thank prednisone for that. Ironically, prednisone is a > > > treatment and a potential cause for this if taken for long > period. In > > > any case, my doc recommended the surgery due to the recurring > > > infections (29 yo). In hindsight it was probably the right thing > to > > > do, though it created some new problems as well (spread of > > > bronchiectasis and hyperallergy). > > > > > > > > BTW, has anyone had experience inhaling 7% or 3% saline > solutions? > > > My doctor advises against 7% solution due to potential > convultions > > > (?), but sounds like from many that it may help. Also, does tea > > > tree/eucalyptus oil really help keep down infections? How is it > taken? > > > > > > > > Thanks all, > > > > Will from 'frisco > > > &gt

; > > > > > > > > Barb Erdmann wrote: > > > > Hi , > > > > > > > > My lobectomy was done almost four years ago. After I started > culturing > > > > Pseudomonas and Aspergillus and nothing seemed to control them, > three > > > > different doctors recommended removing the damaged lobe. The > third > > > > doctor, an infectious disease specialist, said neither the > Pseudomonas > > > > nor the Aspergillus could be eradicated and that removing the > infected > > > > lobe was the only way to control the infections. It took me six > months > > > > to agree to have it done, but I am glad that I finally did it. > > > > > > > > As for postural drainage and percussion therapy, it's done to > keep > > > > secretions fro

m sitting in the damaged areas of our lungs and > causing > > > > infections and more damage. If you have bronchiectasis, you > have > > > > damaged areas. The clearer you can keep your lungs, the better > off > > > > you'll be in the long run. The purpose of postural drainage is > to allow > > > > the secretions to move out of the airways so that they can be > coughed > > > > out. Sometimes percussion therapy is done at the same time > (having your > > > > back, side, and chest clapped or pounded) to loosen up the junk > and help > > > > move it up and out of the airways. > > > > > > > > Hope this helps. The more we understand, the better we are at > making > > > > decisions regarding our health. > > > > > > > > Barb (in Wisconsin)

gt; > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > > > > YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS > > > > > > > > > > > > Visit your group "bronchiectasis" on the web. > > > > > > > >