Need advice to on bronchiectasis - Lung Conditions C...

Lung Conditions Community Forum

56,244 members66,867 posts

Need advice to on bronchiectasis

Stezza profile image
4 Replies

Hey everyone, first post here.

I have had mild bronchiectasis since I was around 16 (16 years ago) when I had pneumonia. Since then I have managed pretty well with just 15-20 postural drainage every night, and around 1 infection a year that clears up quickly with antibiotics. However this year has been quite bad. I got an infection back in March while away at a conference and it took me a few days to get antibiotics. This time they were not very effective, neither were the second course (higher dose, longer duration). I then went to my specialist who grew serratia from my sputum, and put me on a 30 course of antibiotic specific to that bug, then azithromycin 3 days a week after that to prevent flare ups. However ever since then (past 2 months or so) I feel like I've never made it back to being back to normal. If I don't do my drainage 3-4 times a day I start getting bad (green sputum etc) and now I have been waking up in the middle of the night with a tight chest and wheezing (feels like asthma, but never had before). This part seems to be getting worse and I've never experienced anything like it before. Albuterol helps for about an hour, then it returns. I'm worried that this is the new "normal" after the past few months of lung damage. I've got a specialist appointment on Monday so I hope he has a good plan for getting be better. Has anyone else experienced something similar?

Thanks!

Written by
Stezza profile image
Stezza
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
4 Replies

Hi there Stezza, and welcome. It sounds as though you have a good knowledge of your condition and how to look after yoursef. You also seem to have been having very appropriate treatment. I have had bronch since I was 3, that was 63 years ago and I can empathise with all of your symptoms. Unfortunately bronch is a little boggart, it plays games. New bugs get in, further damage occurs and disrupts the pattern that we are used to. All of us react differently but one thing is for sure, we have to keep on top of it. It's a good thing that you are seeing your specialist. Do make sure to make him listen to your additional problems and hopefully he will investigate to find out if you have had damage to your airways or need a different inhalor to keep them open at night. Nightime breathlessness is not uncommon in bronch. Good luck, try not to worry as there will be some way to adjust your treatment.

I just looked at serratia. It is an anaerobic bacteria as opposed to the aerobic bacteria which usually colonise bronchs. I had a long spell of anaerobes and took a lot of metronidozole, the only ab that was available to fight anaerobes and a vile drug.Then I went on to azithromycin which is used against all sorts and a steroid inhaler to bring down inflammation. This seemed to sort it out. Unfortunately after five years on azithromycin it seemed to generally stop working on me and I had to stop taking it because of heart drugs. They haven't isolated any particular anaerobes since then but my main 'friend' is pseudomonas. Didn't I tell you it's a little boggart!

inhaler1 profile image
inhaler1

Hi there, it sounds you are just getting more symptoms as you get older, I have the same condition and find that the flutter device works well for clearing mucus.

Maybe they will suggest it when you go to your appointment.

cofdrop-UK profile image
cofdrop-UK

There is another lady on here who has experiance of serratia and I am sure she will reply if she comes on site.

cx

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Treatment of bronchiectasis

I have suffered with this condition for years but only been diagnosed in 2010. My previous doctor...
furelise profile image

Bronchiectasis

Having a problem getting rid of this infection. 4 lots of antibiotics and still lots of sputum. I...
Mazer1947 profile image

Pseudonomas

Anyone been diagnosed with this bug? I had a sputum test months ago which resulted in me being...
SeasideSusie profile image

Bronchiectasis & Haemophilus Influenzae

Hi everyone, I am 31 and was diagnosed with bronchiectasis in august 2012. It followed a 2 year...
hollybobs profile image

Bronchiectasis

Hi my daughter who is 20 has been diagnosed with Bronchiectasis and we are struggling to get...
maisie15 profile image

Moderation team

See all
moderator_AandLUK profile image
moderator_AandLUKAdministrator
AsthmaandLung profile image
AsthmaandLungAdministrator
Claire_ALUK profile image
Claire_ALUKAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.