As you have read by the title of this post its going to talk about MUCUS!!! So if you do not want to read about what us CF patients go through then close this post. But it really will not be a gross post I promise.
My favorite way or the way that works the best for me to move mucus out of my lungs is obviously the VEST and my hypertonic saline. But I would like you all to think of what is your favorite way to cough out that junk WITHOUT using the VEST or HTS. I know a lot of you will say exercise which makes perfect sense to me. You breath a lot harder and deeper which will induce cough and move that junk out.
Without using the VEST or HTS for me it has to be laughing. That's right laughing one of my favorite things to do. If you are reading this and are not a CFer then you might not understand this. Every time I go to clinic they ask do you have laugh cough? I always answer yes. When I laugh it puts a lot of pressure on my chest and lungs and moves that mucus around causing me to cough.
So with that said I love to laugh and it helps me move that junk out. So a double bonus I get to laugh and make my mind feel good plus I get to cough junk out and make my lungs feel good. Sometimes this can be very annoying especially in a movie theatre. But I do it anyway, I don't care what people think except Maria will say I couldn't hear what they said. I try to keep the coughing to a minimal if possible in a movie theatre but that doesn't always happen. But when I am at home I let it rip.
For anyone that may be wondering what shows or movies that produce the most mucus for me are the following. I will start with my favorite shows on TV that make me laugh to no end.
Impractical Jokers - This is one of the greatest comedy shows on TV but is also probably one of the least watched. My wife and I started watching this after my mother in law told us to watch an episode because she knew we would love it. She was definitely correct. This show is about 4 friends who have to break many social norms. They will have to do or say whatever the other 3 friends tell them to do. If they do not they get a strike. At the end of the show the person with the most strikes has to perform some crazy skit that is to no end hilarious! I know I didn't explain it that well but you need to really check this show out on truTV on Thursday nights. The new episodes come on at 10pm eastern time.
Here Comes Honey Boo Boo - We just started watching this show recently with the recommendation from one of my good friends. He told us that we would die laughing from this show. Another person was correct on that. I don't really know how to explain this show but it is so hilarious. The first time we watched an episode we watched every rerun after that. So its about a family who is basically what you would call hillbilly and they do some stuff that just cracks me up to no end. I am in no way making fun of anyone who is hilly bill but this show is just downright hilarious. If you have seen this show one of my favorite episodes is when they play the "Breath Test Game" I literally think Maria and I laughed for 5 minutes straight. We still laugh when we think of this. If you haven't seen this show you need to check it out on TLC on Wednesday nights at 10 pm eastern time.
Modern Family - We all know about this show if you have ever watched ABC. If you have yet to hear about this show you are truly missing out. Maria says I am Phil Dumphy so next time you watch this show think of me. I am no mister fix it in this house that's for sure. But this show has to be one of the most watched on TV right now. It is full of laughs and makes me cough so if you are a CFer watch it.
I also love comedy movies. My favorite one of all time is Hangover. My wife and I could watch that 100 times and never get bored!!!
So what is your favorite way to get that junk out besides the VEST??? I am looking forward to reading your responses!!!
So I was originally going to say exercise as you predicted, BUT then you brought up laughing and I really haven't thought about it much. There are times I have to make my husband stop making me laugh because I'm coughing SO much I can hardly breathe!! I love laughing as well, and it IS a GREAT way to get mucus up!
ReplyDeleteI really didn't start thinking about this until recently. We started watching a few episodes on DVR of Impractical Jokers and our new favorite Here Comes Honey Boo Boo and I realized what a great way to clear this mucus. Keep on laughing Megan!!
DeleteMy husband and I LOVE Impractical Jokers!!! It's EXCELLENT airway clearance! :)
ReplyDeleteIf I didn't have a Vest/Nebs, I'd choose manual chest PT as my method of choice. I feel like it has an instant affect on my lungs and mucus movement. But I definitely agree with you about exercise and laughing. Great post! :)
Thanks Colleen!! I'm glad someone else has a crazy sense of humor as I do. So I have to ask who is your favorite out of the 4 friends on Impractical Jokers?
DeleteI love Murr he cracks me up. They have him do some funny stuff that is unreal and he will do it!!
If you like Impractical Jokers you have to watch Here Comes Honey Boo Boo. It is hands down hilarious.
Hope things are well with you and keep on lauging!!!