Bronchiectasis

[Tj13windermere]

Anyone take medication other than inhalers for this problem i have horrendous mucas problems

[AnnieAnnieAnnie]

Have you tried carbocysteine (mucodyn) tablets?

[Tj13windermere in reply to AnnieAnnieAnnie]

No ive never been given anything for bronchiectasis only shown how to get mucas up by breathing techniques thankyou x

[AnnieAnnieAnnie in reply to Tj13windermere]

Carbocysteine can work really well by reducing the viscosity of the sputum so you can expectorate it more easily.

Another idea is a flutter device which works well for some people. You would have to buy it but works like a mini physio to help you cough up the sputum.

Hope this helps

[Tj13windermere in reply to AnnieAnnieAnnie]

Thankyou Annie will make a note of that much appreciated

[Minushabens]

You can't medicate the illness itself as it is irreversible, so treatment needs to be aimed at the infections. The problem essentially is that your airways are wider than they should be, so don't remove bacteria correctly. It then colonises your lungs & you get the gunk.

Inhalers will address asthma which might be linked to bronchiectasis, but what you probably need is antibiotics for the mucus.

You ought to be getting regular sputum samples submitted in order to find out what infections you have in your lungs, then getting appropriate ABs. Common infections for bronchi will be pseudomonas, haemophilus, etc. In my case (I don't have full bronchi, but some similar issues related to my lung problems) doxycycline tends to work well; it can be trial & error though.

There is a forum specialising in bronchiectasis (bronchiectasis.info) where you can get tons of information about treatment & management strategies.

[Tj13windermere in reply to Minushabens]

Cheers i have had pseudamonas bacteria

[Minushabens in reply to Tj13windermere]

Pseudomas is very resistant to antibiotics, but there are a couple that will hit it. Depending on the extent of the colonisation though you may need extended treatment. Have you been referred to a specialist? If not, you probably should be.

[Tj13windermere in reply to Minushabens]

I am under respuratory team cheers

[Nanny1086]

Like annieannieannie ,,,I've tried carbosistine ,but the best thing I've learned is how to Spode a proper chest clearance as show by PULMARY rehab team,I also use a flutter devise which I couldn't live without ,.i to have bronchiectisis and asthma COPD ,,,, I do my inhalers first thing in the morning ,then I do my chest clearance about 5/10 minutes later ,, it helps ,

[Tj13windermere in reply to Nanny1086]

Im finding the salt water nebuilser is helping me in chest clearance cheers

[Nanny1086 in reply to Tj13windermere]

I've Never heard of that before ,🤔

[Tj13windermere in reply to Nanny1086]

Its caused by damage to the brochial tubes due to pneumonia in my case and is permanent and causes a problem with excessive sputum and difficulty in getting it up

[Nanny1086 in reply to Tj13windermere]

Ah ,I have trouble clearing the sputum ,I've had pneumonia several times over the years ,,,,I was prescribed carbosistine pills ,,,,but I found it tiring to do chest clear , so now I gave a flutter devise that is a great help in my chest clearance routine ,have a look on you tube or Amazon for flutter devices ,I wouldn't be without mine ,

Best wishes ,

[Tj13windermere in reply to Nanny1086]

Cheers its tiring and embarassing when out

[Nanny1086 in reply to Tj13windermere]

Hi again Windermere eh

Does that mean you live in the mist beautiful national park ,,, our daughter got married at the Cragwood hotel up there it was beautiful backed onto the lake ,

[Tj13windermere in reply to Nanny1086]

Lol no unfortunately our estate is named after the lake district lovely part of the world x

[Mmdp9lt2]

Hi I'm new to the forum, my mum has had bronchiectasis for 9years since she had pneumonia and septiceamia and was on a ventilator in intensive care. Since she was discharged home she has used a flutter and postural drainage every evening (apart from the odd day) and has seen a physiotherapist once a week. Her condition has gradually improved over the years and she now fewer chest infection. She was told to expect frequent chest infections indefinitely. I think it takes a lot of motivation to use the flutter and postural drainage every day but it has worked for her. She also uses a facial steamer to help loosen the mucus.

[Nanny1086 in reply to Mmdp9lt2]

Snap ,pneumonia several times septasyma intensive care 4 years ago missed that xmas and new year ,,,,,,touch and go ,, for a while ,I wouldn't be able to cope without my flutter devise, I hope your mum uses her inhaler before chest clearance it helps a lot ,best wishes to your mum,