No idea what to do possible bronchiectasis

[Polly44]

Hi anyone can advise (know Its a guessing game). I have had servere asthma since as far back as a young girl. It was not until I was nearly 20 that i was finally put onto Singulair wAs also on steroid inhaler (which was a miracle drug for me). fast forward to 2017 i was errm how old was I then ha ha 44 god i feel old, anyway even older now lol. so started with what i thought was a chest infection, i was away at the time could barely walk back to my hotel couldn't breath. 2 lots of antibiotics later, then predislone then an xray,/lung funtion test, another xray, few months on put on flutiform which helped with the no air feeling. but still constant phlegm. It was only in 2019 i saw a trainee doctor that i begged to refere me to chest clinic who asked if they had ever tested my phlegm. One week later finally find out I have haemophilus influenzae 10 lots of antibiotics later , the last 3 lots of antibotics i wasnt tested cos covid but the 7 lots before was just not getting rid of the hi and i gained morellexa also. now being sent for ct scan another lung funtion est at some point for bronchiectasis, last phelgm check was clear but didnt feel right even when i asked for the test, . feel up and down phlegm/ rattle crackling when i lay down, coughing up for the last week been worse with wheeze. I am really wondering if it is this then is it the untreated hi for so long thats caused this (if i have this, although thinking probably have now). I am so sick of trying to guess is this infection back, or is this the bronchiectasis is i have this :-/. am defo feeling worse the last week or so. could be worse things to have i suppose but scary when i have no idea what to do most of the time but i don't feel right half the time . like am i just letting infection come back don't even want to go out out to hospital when i do finally get the appointments. spoke to consultant on phone 3 weeks ago said i would get 3 appointments through, one for ct scan, one lung funtion test then he would see me in person. I have had one appointment through for 24th november says no more on it than its for respiratory team and that most being done by phone so god knows. (had first phone one 3 weeks ago). any advice wellcome thanks

[Poobah]

I would telephone the hospital clinic and explain that you have a telephone appointment for November but require lung function tests prior to that. And that you are also waiting on the CT scan appointment. No harm in chasing things up. Hospitals have been busy making things covid safe, so the only way you'll find out if patient tests are still active is to phone the team.

I've spoken to the hospital asthma nurses and they are very helpful. Given your recent history they may be able to ensure you get the tests you need. If you don't ask....

Good luck.

[Polly44 in reply to Poobah]

Hi ya, Yes I called yesterday , the appointment on the 24th November is the follow up appointment with the consultant (they cant say yet or not if it will be at the hospital or not as need to see what covid is like then. They said I Should get the ct scan appointment through soon, but waiting list for the lung function test. I doubt i will find out if it is even bronchiectasis until November appointment i would guess. I feel like when your getting a cough that feeling in my throat, bringing up stuff and the wheeze/crackling is up and down. (been defo worse the last week and half so Im wondering if infection is kicking back in again or is this how bronchiectasis feels... god knows lol.

[Poobah in reply to Polly44]

I've definitely been more wheezy over the last couple of weeks thanks to the weather. But I think it may be beneficial to phone Asthma UK and talk to one of their nurses. As yet you don't know if you have bronchiectasis but they may be able to advise how to cope with your current symptoms until your November appointment or if you should see your GP in the meantime.

All the best.

[Pipswhips]

Some hospitals are beginning to start out patients appointments.

If you haven't heard anything in next two weeks I suggest chasing your ct scan appoiment up with xray dept or getting intouch with your gp who your registered with and say you're waiting for a couple of hospitsl appointments is there anyway you can chase them up for me and your gp or his/her secretary might do it.

Get up to A &E they make sure your safe and they'll keep covid patients away from the main A&E area you'll be safe not only that the might be able get your ct scan done if you tell them you're waiting for one or chase it up.

Don't struggle because you'll probably end up in A&E in the end.

[Polly44 in reply to Pipswhips]

hi ya I called the hospital the other day, they said consultant has asked for it should get it through soon. I also rang docs on friday and they have put me on more antibiotics (not much more than can do till i get ct and results eh. sure they will help, still wheezing/rattling and coughing stuff up but I am ok. just frustrating more than anything, that knowing the earliest I will know/have any idea is November and after 3 yrs of this would be nice to finally know and get treated finally. Im guessing it must been that (maybe not to start with but after not being treated for the hi in over 2 yrs probably have got it now.