Broncheistes

[kiaman]

Hi hope i spell bronchesise right

Anyway my question is that is broncheditses classed a copd or is it not my hospital team inform me that it falls just outside the scope any body know

Thanks

[freefaller]

Apparently it used to be part of the COPD "party" but now is not. I was diagnosed with mild Bronchiectasis back in 2010. At a scan back in March it is now in both lungs but still classed as mild.

[Armadillo57]

Hi

I have the same and I asked this question to the physio only last week she said no but bronchitis does.

[Hidden]

Hi there, well you have kicked the hornets' nest. There is so much confusion about this among medics and therefore patients. I have had bronchiectasis for 63 years. I only began to hear the term COPD in the 1980s. Up until that point there was bronchiectasis which is damage caused usually by infection,( whooping cough, pneumonia) to the airways and little sacks in the lungs. This leaves them floppy, like a blown up balloon when the air is let out. Fluid collects in these spaces and becomes infected. Treatment mainly consists of antibiotics and daily clearing of the lungs and inhalors to support the airways.

emphysemia and chronic bronchitis were inflammation and narrowing of the airways, with occasional infections. one could say the opposite problem to bronchiectasi. It is these conditions and some similar ones which were designated as COPD.

My consultant is a bronchiectasis expert. She would love us to come under the COPD umbrella because then we would be entitled to the services available to COPD but denied to us by government policy.

Some consultants have begun to diagnose COPD with bronchiectasis. Can't quite figure out how that works. GPs are trained in COPD but very few know anything about bronchiectasis. Unfortunately some of them seem to be doling out the same treatment as they do to COPD patients and this is not what bronchiectatics need. You need a good consultant who specialises in bronchiectasis. The GP should then be led by them as to your treatment. My GPs are excellent and do everything that my consultant asks.

Well I hope that is useful for now. It is not the whole picture and there are many COPD patients on this site who are experts in their condition and I'm sure that they will be along for you.

Stay well

[O2Trees in reply to Hidden]

Hi Stillstanding, over the years I've learnt lots through researching for myself and from members here about emphysema and asthma and could say i have some expertise in them. But with this recent diagnosis of bronchiectasis i don't think i will have the energy to do it all over again, which is why i value your info so much.

So, a question: Ive seen bronch described as "restrictive" but what exactly is meant by "restrictive" lung conditions? Is this a physical/clinical term, or does it just mean that the condition restricts proper pulmonary functioning?

Diagnosing bronch alongside copd presumably means the copd affects the alveoli (with emphysema at any rate) and the bronch affects the airways. Double whammy.

I didn't get to persuade my GP to refer me to the Brompton, she says the consultants here have sufficient knowledge and experience in dealing with bronch. Strangely with moderate bronch, i don't have much mucus at all so i don't think they see me as needing such specialist input. The consultant has already suggested azithromycin 3x weekly for the winter and Im under the care of the local specialist respiratory team who know a certain amount (more than the GP anyway!)

I hadn't thought about the possibility of bronch being classified under copd could mean more access to services. What currently is denied? That sounds very shocking.

Hope you're in reasonable health at present. Take care xx

[Hidden in reply to O2Trees]

Hi there, yes apparantly bronch is 'restrictive' as opposed to 'obstructive'. I could go into what I believe the difference is but think it is better that you ask your respiratory team. My main problem started in the alveoli and over the years has spread to the airways. You see we are all similar but different. Bronchs are also quite different to each other.emphysema comes under the COPD umbrella so you may be able to get a respiratory nurse, pulmonary rehab and quite a few other things that I have only learned about from the COPD people on here. I am now presuming that your consultant made the bronchiectasis diagnosis.

It is a case of nagging everybody until you get treatment which keeps you well and following a routine ( Which I reckon that you have already been doing) Good lluck with it.

I went to the theatre on Fri and in Southampton over the weekend. Virus type cough and temp of 38.4 today. Feel worn out. and cross because I have stayed well since I was hospitalised with an empyema for several weeks last feb. I could spit!

[O2Trees in reply to Hidden]

Oh poor you Stillstanding, not surprised you are furious. Hope this doesn't become a big one.

Our respiratory team work with bronchs and I know they refer them for PR etc. When i did my first PR course about 6 years ago there was someone with bronch on it. So if there's a problem for bronchs getting those services, this must vary with the locality. I know that our respiratory team is very proactive and you can self-refer too, so we're very lucky.

Hope you feel better asap,

All best wishes, xx

[O2Trees in reply to O2Trees]

Forgot to say i didn't know that bronch can affect the alveoli. Learn new things all the time

[Hidden in reply to O2Trees]

Yes, everything seems to be postcode/county related.

[cofdrop-UK]

Hi Kiaman

Broinchiectasis does not come unde the umbrella of COPD - it used to and many docs and nurses think it still does. COPD includes emphsema and brobnchitis.

Bronchiectasis can be both obstructive and restrictive (difficulty exhaling and also inhaling).

erj.ersjournals.com/content...

love cx