Bronchiectasis

What improved my situation was being put on prophylactic antibiotics for life and a complete change of inhalers, of which I have three. (including Relvar.) Episodes of chest infections decreased dramatically.

Like all illnesses, some people can have it mildly, some more seriously. It isn't a one size fits all for everyone, when it comes to medications.
When Montelukast first came on the market, I trialled it, but it made me very unwell. I cannot tolerate any of the asthma drugs, such as Aminophyllin, Slo-phyllin and Uniphyllin, as I found to my cost in hospital.

Unfortunately I have come to a point, where I need some intervention.

Lilypops, don't just accept it, I'm not! .

Crazy H. Thankyou. I have Fostair too through a volumatic. Taking a bottle of water is a good idea when I go out socially when I get a coughing attack. I find it difficult also walking uphill , yes I live with it ,

Also take one Montelukast at night.

I was diagnosed with Bronchiectasis about 15 years ago. Recently my medication was changed from Seretide (prophylactic) and Ventolin (Reliever) to Fostair NEXThaler. It’s a prophylactic and reliever in one. I am getting on well with it. Yes, the cough is embarassing and I always am anxious when I have a social event. I’ve always got a small bottle of water with me.
The productive cough is so embarassing at times, but it’s always good to bring out the yucky stuff. I don’t do any exercises, other than a short daily walk.
I avoid milk products, but not obsessed about it.
Don’t let this diagnosis worry you too much. Yes, I know my lungs are getting weaker and I can’t walk uphill much, but I have learnt to live with it. It’s not all bad Lilypops

Apparently, I have this. It was discovered last year after I had a CT scan for something else. It also revealed I have a thyroid problem which does not, at the moment, need any intervention. Neither, it seems, does the bronchiectasis as my GP has not prescribed any medication. I’m fairly sound of wind for my age, but do tend to cough in the morning.

Redhead. KQ, Thankyou so much. I have learnt a few tips from you all , something to back to my GP with , armed with things to ask , I did feel awkward cancelling the respiratory physio but I really didn’t feel any benefit. Just a long wait at the hospital , I did the excercises at home.
I have never been prescribed any other meds apart from short term steroids , I will ask about other treatments and Thankyou all for your kind words.

I recently went on an exercise course to help with my asthma. To be honest my osteoarthritis hindered it a fair bit but I tried my best. It was good to go as it reassures you that you are not on your own with (COPD the umbrella lung conditions come under). People attending the course had various lung conditions including yours.
Have a word with your consultant to see if it’s possible for you to attend the 8 week course. Mine is held at the local health and sport centre and run by the local council on behalf of the health service.
I have a morning inhaler Relvar I also take an effervescent tablet to help clear my lungs called Acetylcysteine. This is brilliant I wouldn’t be without it alongside side my Ventolin inhaler my condition is managed. A lady I befriended on the course has your condition one of her medications is the effervescent tablet too.

I was diagnosed about fourteen years ago following treatement for breast cancer.

I developed Bx after being asthmatic all my life but also having a condition called ABPA, which is basically an allergy to the aspergillus mould which causes damage to the lungs, this was diagnosed when I was in my early thirties. I was told I would be on oral steroids all my life.

I had various treatments over the years which caused far more problems than the breast cancer ever did,

However, now I am better than I have ever been. I came off steroids six years ago and will never go back on them, except for short doses.

My Bx causes me few problems other than a persistent cough. I was taught how to do the breathing exercises to get the crud off my lungs but now only do these now and again instead of everyday.

I do have a normal asthma inhaler, and Montelukast I take at night. Apart from taking Vit D in the winter months I am on no other medications. I haven't had anti-biotics for well over a year and haven't seen my GP for getting on for a year, and that was not chest related. I am no longer under consultant care.

I don't take fancy supplements but I do take care of my general health, eat a reasonably healthy diet, take moderate exercise and nom limit my alchohol intake.

Of course, I may be lucky but I have worked hard all my life, never claimed benefits and have travelled abroad. Basically Bx has not limited my life in any way. Maybe I've been lucky, I don't know.

I could offer you a few more top tips if you like regarding ventilation around the home etc, feel free to PM me.

Most of all don't worry. You can learn with time what suits and what doesn't but the best advice is to carry on living your life, with a few modifications this is more than possible.

Thankyou Marydoll and Greenfinch for your helpful and encouraging message. I will ring GP and start insisting on other help , I just order my repeat scripts without bothering the Dr, I will ask about other ways of managing this condition.

Like you DH did not find the respiratory physio helpful. He was referred to a course specifically for COPD etc rehabilitation and he has just been invited again after several years. Keep on trying to find out what is available in your area.

DH’s are much more than breathing exercises. They involve the use of weights to clear the chest and leg kicks and walk presses etc but perhaps with angina they would not be suitable for you. You do need a referral from a GP to see a consultant even if you have already seen one . You need regular check ups so keep on asking. There is help available.

Lilypops

Mary doll. Thankyou for replying. I also have Asthma and Angina , both controlled with meds and inhalers but nothing seems to be helping , I did go to a respiratory physio, but quite honestly it wasn’t helping so I cancelled any appointments , ido the breathing excercises at home but it doesn’t really help ,
I think I just have to live with this and just get on with it ,
I hope you feel better today x

I have microvascular angina too!

I think you should go back to your GP (I know it's difficult to see someone), I just kept on nagging, until he listened.

There are new drugs out (which I hope may help and be suitable), which is why I have been persisting.

Just because we are old and ill, doesn't mean we should be left to suffer.

I hope you get some relief. 💐

Mary doll. Thankyou for replying. I also have Asthma and Angina , both controlled with meds and inhalers but nothing seems to be helping , I did go to a respiratory physio, but quite honestly it wasn’t helping so I cancelled any appointments , ido the breathing excercises at home but it doesn’t really help ,
I think I just have to live with this and just get on with it ,
I hope you feel better today x

DH has this so I can sympathise with you both. He finds his specific exercises give by a clinic he attended quite helpful in so far as if he doesn’t do them he feels the difference. The problem is that now he is ageing they take most of the morning and leave him quite tired. He does them five days out of seven.

I have it along with brittle asthma.

I take prophylatic antibiotics, have been on them for years. (prescribed by the Cystic Fibrosis specialist) I am also on inhalers, specifically for this condition.
At the moment I am waiting to see the cystic fibrosis consultant again (I am a carrier) as my condition has got progressively worse since the pandemic and my cardiologist is concerned.
I have had to fight for this referral, because my GP is just not interested.

My biggest worry is pulmory fibrosis, as I have R.A and that can be a problem for people with these lung conditions.

I am quite unwell at the moment with it, although I until the last year I have been able to manage it with medication. To be honest, I am absolutely miserable.
The constant coughing is so debilitating and embarrassing.

I have exercises from a respiratory physio to try and clear my lungs, but they are no longer helping.

You have my utmost sympathy.