Anyone with bronchiectasis?

My DH has had this for many years and I know what you mean about the coughing. The thing that helps him most is the exercises which were given to him when he went on a course for it. He does them every weekday morning and although they are very time consuming, he does notice if he misses a few days. I am sorry to hear about your diagnosis but I am sure you will cope.

Thank you Greenfinch. Does he also use one of those lung stimulators that look like an enlarged inhaler? I don't want to spend £50+ unless it would be helpful. And does your husband cough all day in spite of the exercises?

I will be back later, Mizuna, lost my long post! That is why I am so unwell just now!

Hi Mizuna, yes I have Bronchiectasis, along with partial small collapsed area on each lung. I cough and have lots of mucus. I was given 2 different tube things to try to vibrate the mucus away, these were both provided on the NHS. I was also told by the Physio to bend forward to cough to try to clear my chest. I have had radical radiotherapy to chest wall for breast cancer. So all in all, 6 years on, I just cant seem to improve my lungs. I also think I dont realise I am clearing my upper chest as someone asked me in the pool changing room if I had a tickly throat! I think drinking water and keeping well hydrated helps with keeping the mucus thinner. I do improve throughout the day. Sorry that was all a bit, me, me. I hope you feel well better after your hospital stay.

I am pretty sure he does Mizuna and I will check with him what it is called but he did not have to pay for it :it was prescribed. He mainly coughs in the morning and before going to bed because of the build up of phlegm but he hates coughing in company because people keep offering him a throat sweet!!

Yes yes to the cough sweet thing Greenfinch! And offers of sips of water! 'All a bit me me' is great Kateykrunch, people's personal stories are the most helpful at this stage. I have a follow-up hospital appointment in a month and want to go with all the info I can glean.

Even worse when they think it is covid !
The lung stimulator thing is called an Aerobika and he finds it very helpful. He got it on the NHS. In fact they gave him two for some reason.

This is really helpful. Thanks, I'll take a look at it.

I've had Bx (shorter than typing the full name) for about 30 years, but it was only diagnosed about fifteen years ago.

I was taught lung clearance which I don't do as often now, but during Covid did every day.

One of the side-effects is getting frequent chest infections, but if you do good clearance you shoud keep these at bay.I haven't needed anti-biotics now for a couple of years.

I think it is important to live a healthy lifestyle- good mixed diet and exercise in what ever way suits you.

Also keeping positive and not worrying about what people think when you cough is important. We all have lungs.

I make sure I take vit D every day for my immune system but other than that I lead a normal and pretty healthy life and don't pay for expensive supplements or gadgets.

I'm back! Started coughing and lost my post! 🤣 I have been up most of the night trying to clear my lungs.

I was first diagnosed about fifteen years ago. It is a result of having brittle asthma and frequent chest infections. At the moment I am struggling badly and waiting to be referred back to the respiratory clinic, when my cardiologist realised how unwell I am.
It was diagnosed when my RA consultant was concerned about the possibility of pulmonary fibrosis and the fact that I had recently found out that I was a carrier of a defective cystic fibrosis gene. It was the cystic fibrosis consultant, who diagnosed it.

It was manageable up until the last year, when I have coughed non-stop for the whole year.
I am on prophylactic antibiotics for life and three inhalers, one specifically for bronchiectasis, Relvar Ellipta. I also keep a rescue pack of steroids and antibiotics at home for emergencies. The prophylactic antibiotics ahve played a big part in keeping infection down.
I also have exercises to do.

Mizuna, I know you probably won't think so, but your recent hospital stay has probably been a blessing disguise. Now you will have support to manage it. 💐
Mine was missed and diagnosed as asthma flare ups.

I do hope you feel some improvement, feel free to message me anytime.

Anyone with Bx should Google NTM.

I had this. I had been doing what I thought were healthy things such as having an allotment with compost heaps and going to the gym, finishing off in the pool and steam room.

Soil and steam can damage your lungs if you have Bx.

Wow, this is all so interesting! Liz46 I live for my allotment! A persistent cough started when I moved into an old house 45 years ago and I know spores don't help at all. I read on a forum that one guy says what helps him most is walking by the sea. I can easily do that so maybe that will become part of my therapy.

Marydoll I totally agree about the hospital visit. It was apparently for a 'simple' chest infection but they kept delving deeper and I knew something more was going on. If I hadn't gone in then it would have trundled on undiagnosed. I've always thought it wasn't just asthma but probably didn't make enough of a fuss.

keepingquiet, thank you, lots of good advice.

I also find walking by the sea helpful.

So does DH but not much opportunity unfortunately.,

Liz46

I also find walking by the sea helpful.

I find walking on the village green helpful too- as we are a few hours drive from any sea!
Just walking and getting fresh air out there in mother nature is beneficial for everyone.

Not worrying about what people think when you cough is important..

It is difficult when your cough is constant and you sound as if you have whooping cough. It can be very distracting for others in a public place, like a hospital or in my case, church.
People tend to either make annoyed faces or do a quick body swerve!

I was diagnosed with Bx about 10 years ago after having numerous chest infections. I was told it was mild but in both lungs.
Since I stopped commuting to London every day I get very few chest infections.
I was given antibiotics to take at the first sign of a chest infection.
I actually forget these days that I have Bx until I start coughing.
Good luck xx

Marydoll

^Not worrying about what people think when you cough is important.^.

It is difficult when your cough is constant and you sound as if you have whooping cough. It can be very distracting for others in a public place, like a hospital or in my case, church.
People tend to either make annoyed faces or do a quick body swerve!

Yes, it can be, but as I said before we all have lungs and we all get coughs from time to time.
Maybe things have changed in people's attitudes since Covid, but I try not to focus on other people's reactions.

keepingquiet, I think you may have hit the nail on the head, regarding Covid.

Like all conditions, there are levels of severity. I used to cough occasionally, now as my lungs deteriorate, it can be constant, which is so debilitating.

I can sympathise with all of the posts. My lung was scarred after having radiotherapy after breast cancer. I kept going to GP as I was coughing for hours ( I dont think he believed me at first )and nothing was done ...after 5 years I had further examination and tests and was put on a Puffer and Daxas medication... and told to suck on Fishermens friends as they have something in them that calms the coughing..Some days are worse than others ... always carry cough mixture and FF in case I cant stop coughing.

OMG!- i'd never heard of it but it sounds like my symptoms!- am going to try get in drs tomorrow but i will mention this.I've been coughing over 4years but its suddenly much worse, although i've no high temparature, but no kind of cough mixture or lozenges makes any difference.

I told dr before that i cough till i'm almost sick sometimes and have mucus- but because it was clear though he was not that bothered.

I do have the wheezing though and at night i was getting overheated but i had thought that maybe that just hot flushes (not really ever had those much though) as the dr did not seem unduly bothered.

I was prescribed Carbocisteine. It worked to reduce coughing, which is exhausting.
I also recommend hot honey & lemon to drink in the evenings.