Bronchiestasis

My advice would always be......palaver or not.......it is far better to be wise than sorry.

My husband has this condition, alongside two other serious chest complaints and he is virtually always breathless with a permanent cough.(Especially in the mornings)
However he is almost 80 and this has been ongoing for many years, so no real pointers there for yourself Sar.

I repeat though,do not delay,make that GP`s appointment.

Sara53 I was wondering if you are under the care of a Respiratory Consultant or just your GP. Also in many areas there are Community Respiratory Nurses you could ask to be referred to them for on going management. Broncheactesis sadly will not go away and needs long term management. I hope you feel better soon.

I have bronchiectasis, asthma and non-tubercular mycobacterium. (a sort of non-contagious TB). I have been on 3 strong antibiotics every day for 14 months and have at least another 4 months to go, depending on my next CT scan results in January. This is unusual and I was lucky that the GP listened to me when I said that I was not well and was losing weight without trying. My lungs have improved but the side effects of the AB are not good.

Sar

I was told I had asthma for years and I kept saying ' I don' t think I have asthma' and eventually after having several bouts of coughing up mucus and eventually requiring a nebuliser one of my doctors sent me for a scan and I have Bronchiectasis.

When I need to cough up mucus I call it ' my fur ball moment'. It is most unpleasant but I think of poor little children with cystic fybrosis and what the poor little mites have to cope with.

I too have a store of anti biotic for emergency use if I think I have an infection but I would not hesitate to go to the doctor Sar!

When you say " Recently I have had a chest infection and the antibiotics seemed to clear it up but I am left with a cough and feel very breathless after doing anything strenuous ." I am surprised those symptoms are not with you permanently so perhaps you should consider you are getting worse and should at least ask to see your respiratory nurse.

Good luck.

I too have bronchiectasis and asthma. What has helped greatly has been the fact that I will be on Azithromycin three times a week for the rest of my life. Taking it has definitely cut down the number of chest infections I have had.
I was also sent to a chest physio by the respiratory consultant to learn how to clear my lungs every day.
On top of that, one of my three inhalers is specifically for bronchiectasis.
SAR, I think you need to see a doctor. Explain how unwell you are feeling, you cannot afford to cause any more damage to your lungs.
I hope you feel better soon.

Has the cause of your bronchiectasis ever been investigated?

7 Years ago, after many months of bouts of bronchitis and one of pneumonia, a lung specialist diagnosed bronchiectasis caused by a severe deficiency of immunoglobulins (antibodies). Treatment consists of regularly replacing antibodies and has stopped my bronchiectasis from getting worse although I have needed frequent courses of antibiotics. Recent improvements in the way the treatment is administered have improved my health considerably and I have only needed a single course of antibiotics this year for a sinus infection.

I think I have been lucky that the lung specialist was quick to diagnose the cause of my bronchiectasis and the immunologists willing to support my expensive treatment.

Even if the cause of your bronchiectasis is not known, you should be able to access the right antibiotics. (It may be that the last lot of antibiotics you had weren't targetting the right bacteria if you are still not well). Does your GP have the facility for getting samples analysed quickly? I don't always have to see my GP, I keep sample pots and drop them off at the surgery at the first signs of an infection. Sometimes I get a phonecall to say there is a different antibiotic required and a prescription is ready. I set up this arrangement after discussing it with my GP.

I was still working when first diagnosed and desperate to carry on, so made a nuisance of myself with the medical profession. I'm glad I did. I have a fair idea of how tiring, debilitating and horrible the condition is. You really shouldn't put off going to your GP, there may be more help available.

Thanks for all your replies. I have been short of breath for sometime but have always put it down to being unfit, perhaps I should consider that my Bronchiestasis is getting worse. I will make an appointment to see my gp next week.

A good decision Sar even if it is for peace of mind.