Forum Replies Created

  • robert-carlson

    Member
    July 27, 2019 at 7:13 am in reply to: The Frequency of Changing Your Nasal Cannula

    Charlene,

    You asked me how I clean my cannula.  I only clean the terminal end, and do this using warm soapy water.  With some water in the sink basin I immerse the end of the cannula and clean the outside with my fingers.  With the end of the cannula underwater, I quickly squeeze it repeatedly forcing soapy water to cleanse the inside (but just the end, not the tube itself).  I then take a Q-Tip, strip off some of the cotton so it will fit the nostril tips, and clean the inside of the tips.  I then kind of repeat the process using clear water to remove any soap residue.  Shake any remaining water from the end, if a little water remains, no problem.  The whole process takes me less than (2) minutes.  I think it a good idea for a person to clean the cannula daily, or do a weeks supply at a time.

  • robert-carlson

    Member
    July 24, 2019 at 2:23 pm in reply to: The Frequency of Changing Your Nasal Cannula

    Charlene,

    I don’t keep track of how often I change my cannula, but it is not very often, maybe 6-12 months.  I try to wash the terminal end at least weekly, or when it has been on the floor.  The soft (flexible) portion of the cannula stiffens with use (oxygen probably causes it) when it gets too stiff I replace it.  Otherwise, I see no reason to replace it.  I find that providers recommend whatever insurance or Medicare will pay for.

  • robert-carlson

    Member
    July 24, 2019 at 1:14 pm in reply to: just want to share some of my experience

    This note is in response to Jaime’s initial question regarding phlegm.

    I too have been plagued by excessive nasal congestion and viscous phlegm with resultant breathing and coughing problems.  While not a solution, I have found the use of saline nasal rinse very helpful in clearing my nasal cavity and throat of the congestive materials.  I use the rinse solution at bedtime and maybe (3) additional times, as needed, in 24 hours.  I use a two-step procedure; I first apply the rinse to each nostril and follow this by gargling with rinse solution in order to expel the congestive materials.

    A person can save money by making an inexpensive saline rinse solution at home, it is a mixture of common (non-iodized) salt, baking soda, and sterile filtered water.   Add 1/2 teaspoon of a mixture of  (3) parts salt to (1) part baking soda to (8) to (10) ounces of water.

  • robert-carlson

    Member
    April 30, 2019 at 9:56 am in reply to: Breathing Treatments

    Steve Dragoo,

    You made mention of Serrapeptase(4/30).  How is it that you happen to be taking Serrapeptase to help clear mucus?  I also have IPF and have problems with upper respiratory mucus.  I have found that using a saline solution to clear my sinuses and throat (4) or (5) times a day quite helpful.  For how long have you been taking Serrapeptase and what dosage and frequency?

    RGC_Bob

     

  • robert-carlson

    Member
    March 15, 2019 at 10:51 am in reply to: 6 Pulmonary Fibrosis Diagnostic Tools

    @john-marshall
    Sorry about this.  I thought I had a solution as a work around when working with Word, but it doesn’t work.  Once accepted by the Forum apparently the author of the note can’t delete it.  I tried.

  • robert-carlson

    Member
    March 15, 2019 at 10:20 am in reply to: 6 Pulmonary Fibrosis Diagnostic Tools

    @john-marshall,

    John, you might have better luck when using Word if you do one of the following:

    1. Compose your note in Word.
    2. Save Word document as either, a. Plain Text (txt) or  b. Rich Text Format (RTF)
    3. Copy your note from the newly formatted document (.txt or .rtf)
    4. Paste into the Forum Response note.

  • robert-carlson

    Member
    December 28, 2018 at 7:07 pm in reply to: Dealing with Phlegm.

    Charlene,

    I don’t know how you find the time, but thank you for what you are doing for the group who are trying to deal with PF.

    Ref: Dealing with Phlegm

    In the literature there are numerous mentions of a “dry cough” being symptomatic of PF, but not much about excessive phlegm.  I am one of those diagnosed with IPF who now experiences the problem.  I have mentioned this to several doctors but they don’t seem to find it that significant.

    I have been unable to find a means of eliminating the problem, but have found the following to be helpful in making my situation more manageable.

    1) I found the use of “Nasacort” which is an over the counter allergy nasal spray helpful.

    2) I have also found “Azelastine Hydrochloride” which is a prescription nasal spray helpful.  I will only use one nasal spray at a time, once a day at bedtime.

    3) I have also tried some of the over the counter “Expectorant” medications containing guaifenesin (supposed to loosen mucus) such as Mucinex.  I believe they are helpful.

    4) I have found the use of a saline solution nasal rinse, morning and night, to be very helpful in allowing me to breathe thru my nose.

    5) I have also found that gargling with a saline solution several time a day very helpful in my efforts to expel phlegm.

     

    RGC_Bob

  • robert-carlson

    Member
    December 20, 2018 at 5:16 pm in reply to: Dealing with Phlegm.

    Charlene,

    Ref: Dealing with Phlegm
    I don’t know how you find the time, but thank you for what you are doing for the group who are trying to deal with PF.

    In the literature there are numerous mentions of a “dry cough” being symptomatic of PF, but not much about excessive phlegm.  I am one of those diagnosed with IPF who now experiences excessive phlegm.  I have mentioned this to several doctors but they don’t seem to find it that significant, but it is to me.

    I have been unable to find a means of eliminating the problem, but have found the following to be helpful in making the situation more manageable.
    1) I found the use of “Nasacort” which is an over the counter allergy nasal spray helpful.

    2) I have also found “Azelastine Hydrochloride” which is a prescription nasal spray helpful. I will only use one nasal spray at a time, once a day at bedtime.

    3) I have also tried some of the over the counter “Expectorant” medications containing guaifenesin (supposed to loosen mucus) such as Mucinex.  I believe they are helpful.

    4) I have found the use of a saline solution nasal rinse, morning and night, to be very helpful in allowing me to breathe thru my nose.

    5) I have also found that gargling with a saline solution several time a day very helpful in my efforts to expel the phlegm.

    RGC-Bob