Earlier this year I was sent to see a chest consultant at the hospital and I have written about this before. However very recently I saw my GP and was a little shocked at what I was told. My consult was very dismissive that I had pleural plaques and dismissed any idea that I had been exposed to asbestos.
After having a CT scan he did admit that pleural plaques did in fact exist for me but blamed everything else including me being slightly overweight for my breathlessness. I now find that I have Bronchiectasis and from what my GP says it sounds like traction bronchiectasis and I have been prescribed antibiotics. All this year I have also had a very sharp pain in my back which now appears to have settled in my rib cage.
The information I am seeking is this. Does anyone else here suffer with pleural plaques and bronchiectasis. Does anyone know if there is a connection between bronchiectasis and exposure to such fumes as diesel in enclosed spaces. Or does anyone else have this combination of problems and any background information on such.
My consultant was close to retirement and when I go back in February of next year it will be to see a different person. I am puzzled as to why any doctor should deny me information of such importance to me. It is suspiciously close to medical negligence although that is not what I have in mind. But if anyone has information which leads to written confirmation that there is a connection between the plaques and bronchiectasis or bronchiectasis and diesel fumes I would be grateful.
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saintsfan
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I've never personally heard of any connection between Bronchiectasis and diesel fumes, but that's not to say there isn't?
Bronchiectasis is usually the outcome of reoccurring bouts of pneumonia and the like, which leave your lungs damaged and irreparable. This was how I got it when I was a small child - no diesel around at that time, I don't think?
Anyway, there's a way to sort this out if you're really concerned -ask for a second opinion! You are not obliged to settle for one persons diagnosis, and it's a fact that older GP's are very set in their ways and tend to stick to "the way it's always been" rather than embrace new technology.
But diesel is also more expensive because it is less clean than first thought.
I was a bronchitis sufferer for many years and have had some very severe pneumonia and pleurisy. I have been averaging at a pneumonia event every 18 months. As a result I have RLD and PH to deal with. I worked with asbestos for over 10 years but they (consultant) still use my 2008 CT scan as the basis for my lungs not been attacked yet any rare new xrays they just say they cannot see anything new. But then tell me that I am not going to get better but decline each year. Then seem shocked that I cannot walk very far?
My Old consultant that got me though a very bad time in ICU in 2008 kept asking if I had ever worked with asbestos and at the time I did not think I had so said no we cut a asbestos substitute. in 2012 I found it was not the blue asbestos but the brown asbestos we had been cutting on a circular saw for over 10 years with no masks!
I am 72 years of age with no previous records bronchitis or pneumonia. I am aware that some people have a lifetime record of illnesses leading to bronchiectasis but not me. In fact I have read of non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis which I suspect is what I have got. So the damage is not as a result of a childhood illness.
saintsfan, I don't know what are plaques or traction bronchiectasis. However, I had bronchiectasis since 1994. Yes, fumes of any sort affect my breathing, make me cough and makes me short of breath too!
The good hope for you is, take these antibiotics until the bout of infection you may have subsides - it can be from 2 to 4 weeks.
In the new year, start exercises. This is absolutely vital to stop the progress of bronchiectasis. I found this by a long trial and error. So you can have the benefit of my errors! Start exercises.
Now, take charge of yourself! when you go to your GP ask to be refeered to a pulmonary nurse team. She si a wonderful help and usually down to earth, having seen closely how patients can suffer. she would have access to a physiotherapist; moreover she can put you on Pulmonary Rehabilitation, which is a group of people with lung diseases meeting for about 6 weeks. during the sessions, you learn all about coping with your illness, all about drugs, all about exercises. Indeed, you will have an assessment and according to this, you will be put through some exercises. This is the best you could do.
Also, I hope you are not smoking. If you do, please stop.
I've taken the advice from other members who advised to take some supplements: Vit D (not enough sun in the winter), Vitamin C with zinc (for the immune system). You may take some acidophilus; this increases the friendly bacteria in your guts and may chase away the bad ones, and fish oil. No GP will pronounce themselves for or against vitamins and supplements, because the research "isn't conclusive" so the NHS takes the cautious approach. But for many this has helped.
In the meantime, if you possibly can, celebrate Christmas
please, tell us more of your experience, we are all here listening, because we have all gone through the illness. That's why we are all here.
Hi I'm sorry to hear your having such a hard time, I was diagnosed at the beginning of this year with bronchiectasis after asking for a c.t scan, I allready have other breathing problems as well, so it has been a hard year for me too, it's a bit like the secret service don't ask anything, well I am a grown up I should know, the Internet is good that's where I found out what I needed to know about the illness, as for fumes yes I do cough a great deal when I smell them, I know I haven't been much help for you but do stay on this site as there will be someone who can help you. Have a good merry Christmas
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