Getting a diagnosis

[Chest1]

I have bronchiectasis of unknown cause and chest problems for all of my 65 years. I still feel young at heart but find my chest increasingly bothersome. I've seen many respiratory consultants and spent 5 of my first 13 years in hospital.

I've never had a typical asthma attack, however I'm very much aware of good and bad days for wheezing. On a bad day my peak flow drops to 350 on a good day it is 450. My GPs have been very supportive and pestered consultants to allow inhalers (which help a bit some times) and prophylactic antibiotics which have reduced the number of infections.

Do I have asthma? I don't know. this makes managing flares or infections difficult.

Any advice please? My bronchiectasis is getting more wide spread.

[Hidden]

Hi you might find more help with this in the British Lung Foundation site as there are a number in there with bronchi. I think some have asthma with it as well. x

[Chest1 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks will give it a try x

[SheilaC]

Have you had sputum tests to check for bacteria? I have asthma and bronchiectasis and they found a mycobacterium and I am being treated for this.

[Chest1]

Thanks I'm always having them. Rarely show anything. Difficult to convince practitioners. They now are a bit more supportive since I sent in two samples. Neither of which showed infection. Between the two I had a deep sample taken during a scope. This did show infection. Hope you're well soon.