Hi all - just a quick question. Recently diagnosed with early stage bronchiectasis but dont really have any symptoms?

[vickiefox79]

Im 33 and really not sure what to expect as doctor was very vague. Can still do everything I used to and have recently stopped smoking (a month so far!). Can this condition stay the same or does it always get worse?

[Hidden]

Well done stopping smoking! I care for my husband who suffers with severe COPD - can't help with your condition. But would suggest that you click on the red balloon and talk to the BLF helpline - they will be able to answer all your questions. Take care, good luck TAD xx

[vickiefox79]

Looks like my reply didn't work!

Didn't have CT, just X-ray. Went to doctors after coughing up blood for a week......still carried on smoking which was incredibly stupid. Have decided I need to take care of myself now-was warned would be on oxygen by the time I'm 40 if I continued x

[vickiefox79]

Thanks for the info by the way-will check it out x

[cofdrop-UK]

Hi,

Whether bronchiectasis be mild or severe it should be treated in the same way i.e. between the medics and ourselves we should do all we can to clear out the mucus from our lungs to try and keep infections to a minimum.

Your doc sounds a bit vague indeed. If it were me I would ask if GP thinks you have bronchiectasis that he/she refers you to a respiratory consultant who has a special interest in cf/bronchiectasis. You would have a ct scan to confirm. A consultant should refer you to a physiotherapist to learn techniques for lung clearance which suits you (the most important thing you can do for yourself). One thing we bronchiectatics have learned is we have to often be our own advocates, especially when it comes to GPs.

Coughing up blood is certainly in keeping with some bronchs symptoms but I have not heard mild bronchiectasis being referred to as early stage. Are you sure he/she wasn't referring to bronchitis?

Hope you get some answers soon.

love cx

[mustcarryon]

I've never heard of mild bronchiectasis either. As a sufferer myself I think looking after yourself is so important. Look out for the things that can start you coughing. Also, beware, you can get a chest infection at the drop of a hat. Take care

[cofdrop-UK in reply to mustcarryon]

Did you mean you hadn't heard of early stage either hun?cx

[mustcarryon]

No I can't say I have. I was told I had mild emphysema and that it will get worse as time goes on, however, further down the line I was told I also had bronchiolitis, there was no mention of this being mild. I have to admit it was a condition I had never heard of. I was also told that unlike emphysema bronchiolitis it

is not necessarily linked to smoking. It was also other things that they said that just made me think that if you had it then you had it and that is that you could get chest infections very easily. I may be completely wrong, if I am I stand corrected and would be grateful if someone told me.

[vickiefox79]

It was almost a throw away comment.......planning on going back to get some more definitive answers as I don't struggle on a day to day basis and he only provided me with an Internet print out. He just explained that on the top of my right lung, it looked as if I had early stages-no more than that. Needless to say, panic ensued so think will go and asked to be referred to a specialist. Also, have been around people with colds etc and never suffered (picked things up easier, if that makes sense) and can excercise as normal? Not linked to smoking as I understand but the best thing I can do is not smoke as aggregates it (if I have it?). Thanks for all the responses-if I ever find out more I will provide an update!

[Hidden]

Hi Vickie,

I was treated as having Asthma for 3 years. Then I had pneumonia, followed by a series of chest infections. My GP referred me to a Respiratory Consultant who gave me lung function tests and a CT scan. They proved that I had Bronchiectasis and not Asthma. You are right when you say that it is not smoking related (Someone I know has had it since she was 11 and never smoked). But smoking won't help. As Cofdrop says, ask your GP for a referral to a specialist. If you do have Bronchiectasis, then it will definitely get worse with time - although you can stave that off for quite a while if you are taught how to perform lung clearance, drink lots of water, use your inhalers and look after yourself.

For more info on the condition, visit: blf.org.uk/Conditions/Detai...

or: breathingmatters.co.uk/bron...

The following excerpt is from Breathing Matters website.

"The most important considerations for patients with bronchiectasis are the following:

1. They need to perform regular lung clearance techniques to prevent phlegm and bacteria accumulating in the lungs. Except for patients with mild bronchiectasis, this will probably need to be done once or twice a day.

2. When an infection develops, the patient needs to start antibiotics as quickly as possible as this allows the infection to be brought under control more rapidly than if the antibiotics are delayed. Most patients should therefore have a reserve course of antibiotics at home. And it is important that the antibiotics are taken for 10 to 14 days to ensure the infection is well-controlled and less likely to return when the antibiotics are stopped.

3. To help prevent infections, the patients should have an annual vaccination against flu, and be vaccinated against pneumonia. And they should never smoke cigarettes.

4. Some patients may need to take inhalers, nebulisers or continual low dose antibiotics as well."