Hypertonic Saline ????s

[sarabeth87]

I started on HS about 1 week ago. I have coughed up sooooo much mucus. The mucus is yellow. Whenever I wake up in the mornings, I can't even talk because of how it makes my throte (sp) feel. I have also been craving salty food. I don't know if this is bcuz of the HS or not. Right now, i'm eating strawberries with salt. I know that sounds nasty, but it taste good. My chest has also been feeling tight.

 

[NoExcuses]

Coughing up a ton of mucus is great. this is the purpose of the HTC.

Sore throat might be something you will have for a few weeks while your throat gets used to the HTC.

Craving the salty food....that I dunno about. Maybe you're out in the summer heat a lot recently???? We CFers lose a lot of salt in the heat, so your body may be trying to replace it.

 

[coltsfan715]

Basically everything that Amy said ..
and as for the tightness in your chest the HS can irritate the lungs so it can cause tightness in your chest. I would give a little while and see if it gets better as you get used to the HS, but if it is bothering you alot I would give a call to the doc and ask them about it.

Lindsey

 

[Jem]

Ditto to what was said already. I just want to add that my doctor has me take 2 puffs of albuteral, wait about 15 minutes then do the HS. This is to prevent the chest tightness. I have never experienced the chest tightness so I guess this works.

 

[Giggles]

I have been on HS since June 1st and it makes me cough a little but not much and I do not get tons of mucus out! I am so bummed I am not experiencing what everyone else is. Do you all think being on HS will help in the long run to keep infections down or is it more of a short term thing???


Jennifer 34 years old with CF and CFRD

 

[Jem]

Hey Jennifer, I would say stick with it. Whatever you get out is better than in and maybe you just produce less mucus. I find it varies with me. Sometime "WOW" where did all that come from and other times hardly anything at all. But I am sure it has a lasting thinning effect so mucus coughed out later will be easier to get up.

I find that I just feel like I got a "house cleaning" of the lung (only got one) afterwards. Everybody likes a clean house. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

 

[Giggles]

Thanks for the advice Janet. I am sticking with it for the month I am supposed to be on it and then I am going to talk with my doctor. I guess my question is if you do not see it working short term, getting alot of junk up, is it working long term????


Thanks!

Jennifer 34 years old with Cf and Cfrd