Bronchiectasis

I've never heard of it Ceesnan, what effect does it have on your DH?

I sympathise Ceesnan, DH was diagnosed with it when he was in hospital recently after his stroke. True to expectations, DGD was here 10 days ago with a baby snuffle and within hours of her going he was coughing and now has a full blown chest infection.
He was given an appointment for physiotherapy shortly after coming out of hospital but wasn't well enough to keep it so it has been rescheduled for November. Wait and see.

It's an abnormal widening of the airways Kitty, causing pockets of mucous to gather which can lead to infection. I only know this as I've just undergone a lot of investigations following my recent bout of ill health and had a cat scan to check for this. Fortunately everything was fine. Hope your ohs keep well Ceesnan and Alea

ceesnan I used to the Sister of a Respiratory Ward some years ago and in recent years have managed a Community Respiratory Team. The treatment and understanding of this distressing condition has come on in leaps and bounds and I feel sure that when your DH is in the specialist care of a Respiratory Team he will be made much more comfortable.

Thanks to all who have replied. DH is waiting for an appointment with a physio, but was told by his consultant that it could take up to six weeks before he is seen. His default attitude is deep gloom anyway, and being diagnosed with a chronic condition hasn't helped. He is currently brewing another chest infection so I will go with him to his GP and try and get either a stronger dose of his current AB or a different one altogether.

He needs to see the respiratory team for specialist help - physio is not enough. It is something that needs getting on top of.

At the moment the respiratory team consists of his GP and the consultant, who he is due to see again in 3 months. It might be that after tomorrow we might be given more help in coping with this, but at the moment I have resorted to searching the internet for support groups just to try and get an idea of what to expect as this progresses.

Sorry, I'm have no knowledge to impart but have a (((hug))) because you must be worried and fed up! As must your DH but he's not on GN!

That's kind, thank you.

Sounds rotten ceesnan
You will have to do all the pushing for him with the GP, to show them the urgency of the situation.Chest infections can be serious. good luck.

I also have bronchiectasis ceesnan, it was diagnosed about 4 years ago. I try to avoid obvious contact with coughs and colds. I use a steroid inhaler twice a day. I keep a course of antibiotics at home so that I can start on them if the need arises and I'm not able to get to the surgery (if I'm out of the country for example). If I do get a chest infection the doctor asks for a sputum sample so that I can be given the correct antibiotic to deal with it. Fortunately mine is not particularly serious injury

Where did "injury" come from - wretched predictive keyboard

DH's current chest infection is not really clearing up but nor is it actually getting worse so his dr has decreed it is a viral infection about which nothing can be done!

"It's a virus = we have no idea"
"It's a community virus = we still have no idea, but there's a lot of it about"

I have had this all my life It was diagnosed by a Broncogram at the age of about 12.
It disrupted my childhood quite badly. These days things are better, I am looked after by a specialist hospital, which is brilliant. Early intervention with antibiotics both oral and if necessary intravenous antibiotics can stop infection before it takes over. There are all sorts of 'tools' to help. Postural drainage, Active breathing cycles, Flutter machines all help to keep lungs as clear as possible. It is important to recognise changes in the lungs and ask for early intervention if infection is suspected.