A different consultant :)

[porthos06]

Hello!

So, after my last consultant discharged me only for me to go and have a big flare-up immediately afterwards, I managed to get a second opinion appointment with a different consultant.

By complete contrast, this one was fantastic - she has referred me to a respiratory physiotherapist and for a HRCT because she thinks there's a probability that I have bronchiectasis. Having been reading about it over the past couple of days, it does sound like that could be the case. Definitely not a barrel of laughs, but I am just very relieved to have been taken seriously!

Unfortunately, she did point out that my blood test may have shown up as low eosinophil levels due to the prednisolone I was taking at the time, which may mean more needles 😱

Also, one of the main things with bronchiectasis seems to be "avoid people who are ill with colds and chest infections" which is virtually impossible as a primary teacher. Anyone got any handy hints for how they manage?

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

I don't have any tips re the teaching side, but so glad you have a better consultant now!

Like you say, the diagnosis isn't fun, but much better to have it be taken seriously, then you can manage it better. I find it much more stressful struggling alone and being brushed off than someone acknowledging it.

[porthos06 in reply to Lysistrata]

Yes - absolutely! I had no real hopes for the second opinion appointment (I thought they'd just double-down on their colleague's conclusions) but it was completely different. What a relief!

[ReedB]

That's good news! Not the illness part but being taking seriously. Mentally speaking it makes such a difference. Fellow teacher here. I'm always trying to dodge the coughs and colds. Nothing ground breaking but I always have the kids wipe their own noses and make sure the room(s) are well ventilated, not too cold though of course!

[porthos06 in reply to ReedB]

Thanks That makes sense with the ventilation - I've had at least one window open all the way through winter because otherwise my CO2 alarm starts going off by about 10:30am!

I'm going down to infants (I think) after summer so all of the cold dodging is about to become even more challenging!

[Poobah]

If you're trying to ensure your immunity is in good shape then get your VitD levels checked. VitD plays a vital role in one's immunity and if you live in a northern hemisphere country and don't supplement, it's not unusual to have low VitD levels, especially after winter. And asthmatics using inhaled steroids and occasional Prednisolone, should also be on top of their VitD levels because of the effect on their bone & teeth health.

The optimum levels start at 80nmol/L and that range stretches to 150, going above that is considered too much and can cause health problems.

If you do decide you want to explore this more, I recommend the Facebook group that has extensive experience and information to safely supplement with VitD; "VitD and Co-factors. UK"

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[porthos06 in reply to Poobah]

Thanks for this. I do take vitamin supplements - my mum read somewhere very early in the pandemic that Vit D could reduce the risk of getting Covid so now my whole family takes supplements, I think 😂

[hoven]

I echo that. vit D vital also vitamin C

[May47]

I can really relate to this. I had a gp and consultant who treated me with steroids which didn't make much difference. I wasn't taken seriously. It was assumed that I wasn't taking the medication. I saw another gp who ordered sputum tests and referred me to a different consultant. I now have a diagnosis of bronchiectasis. It is wonderful to be taken seriously even though the bronchiectasis is a nuisance. I now have a proper treatment plan that works.I am so pleased that you have a consultant who understands bronchiectasis.

[porthos06 in reply to May47]

Oh, it's always nice to know you're not alone but miserable to think how many people go through this. I have been telling doctors for about a year now that I have a productive cough and have put in various samples, but this is the first time anyone's mentioned bronchiectasis.

Now I'm just waiting for my HRCT to get confirmation.