LUNG INFECTIONS

[Douglasg]

I found this site when searching for something to boost my immune system. I was diagnosed Asthma 2 yrs ago then last yr Bronchiectasis i have been in Hospital twice this yr with Pneumonia and have got another infection not in Lungs but on Steriods and antibiotics to clear up infection HELP

[Toci]

Hi and welcome to the site. I can't be of much help but we have other members with bronchiectasis on here so hopefully someone who can advise you will be along soon.

[RibvanRey]

Hello Douglas and welcome to the community. Sorry to hear that you are not so good. I have Bronchiectasis. According to my Consultant it is as a result of having had bad whooping cough as a child. Although it never bothered me until having passed many medicals as A1. An odd disease isn't it.

Exasperations have landed me in hospital a number of times. As I am more prone to infections due to my lack of mobility from a number of years ago.

What help can I give you Douglas?

Regards, Rib

[Douglasg in reply to RibvanRey]

Morning thanks for the reply i have had a very active life and i think part of my problem is having to accept that i have to make changes.Seen some good advice on this site and look forward to the challenges

[RibvanRey in reply to Douglasg]

Yes it is very hard adjusting. I know that from when my own high adrenaline all action life came to a very abrupt halt.

The thing is that it is far better than the alternative so it is well worth the fight. Discovering new methods of achieving the same ends can be a good way of passing the time. For most it is accepting having to do things at a slower pace. Never a reason for giving up on life and shutting the door.

Healthy food (diet sheets can be obtained from BLF, their website is well worth a visit), breathing exercises are also available from them and there are some great videos on YouTube too.

Regards, Rib

[Billiejean_2]

Hi Douglas, being diagnosed with Bronchiectasis isn't the end of the world. It's a progressive condition and can affect people on different levels and in different ways. You've been through a bad patch now, but that does not mean you won't get over it. Bronchiectasis is characterised by frequent chest infections and a lot of mucous production. But the infections can be treated with antibiotics and regularly getting rid of the sputum from your lungs will help with that. I've had Bronchiectasis for more then 40 years and until a out three years ago, I'd have one or two infections a year and in between, lived a perfectly normal and very active life. The infections are more problematic now and can be more difficult to treat but in between, I still get good periods and am still living a relatively normal life, with some adjustments. I didn't know as much about the condition when zi was younger and there's much more knowledge and help available for Bronch now. If you take good care of your general health and keep exercising and doing whatever your medics suggest, you will be well able to cope. Honestly !

[cofdrop-UK]

Hi Douglasg and a very warm welcome to you. Have had bronchiectasis all my life and asthma more recently. In my opinion this is the best information presently available for non cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis.

chss.org.uk/documents/2013/...

Love cx

[Liberty43 in reply to cofdrop-UK]

Thank you for that. I agree with you that it is the best l have seen. Thanks again

[scorpiolass]

Hi Douglas, I don't have Bronchiectasis, just wanted to welcome you to the site. Regards, Margaret

[fcag2001]

Welcome . Do you live in Scotland? Try taking extra vit D as a spray into the inside if cheek once a day . Got it from Holland and Barret shop . I find it helps.

[Douglasg in reply to fcag2001]

Thanks for that i am going to ask about injection but will look at the spray

[Symes]

Hi Douglasg welcome to the 1 in 1000 club of those of us that suffer with Bronchiectasis. As Rib said above, it is an odd disease.

I struggle with it daily, and I am on so much medication now, I don't know where to turn some days. My wife is a great help though. I was diagnosed with it 2 years ago, after suffering with exarcebations and the like for the 2 years previous, but its happened as a result of a pnuemonia attack I had back at the end of 2004. Being an asthmatic smoker for 20 years probably didn't help either!

Have your doctor or consultant's put you on Azithromycin? It's an anti-biotic tablet given to Bronchiectasis patients to counter the regular infections we get, and it's helped me. You only have to take it three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Also ask your GP about a rescue pack - a box of Amoxycillin and a box of Prednisilone in case you do get an infection. They're always useful.

That's about the only advice I can offer I'm afraid, hope it helps.

Regards

Symes

[Offcut]

I have had Bronchiectasis plus other lung issues for most of my life and was off school every term with a chest infection. I also was diagnosed in 1992 with heart problems, that with the lungs do not play well together. It is very important to try and get as much of the gunk off the chest as you can.

I would say that this year has not been good for lungs it seems that a lot of people are going down with infections? I have had many myself this year so far, some have meant hospital admissions more to stabilise me. There are many different medicines that can help? The biggest problem is finding the one that works for you?

Be Well