New here.

[Ja_nice]

Hello Everyone, I would just like to introduce myself.

My name is Janice & I'm 53yrs. I have just been diagnosed with 'Bronchiectasis' and 'Influensa H' . I am concerned as to how this is going to affect my everyday living? I have some terrible nights with my coughing and my voice always seems to be croaky and sounds as tho it's going. I have been in hospital on IV and Oral Antibiotics and sent home with a 2 weeks course of 'Co-amoxiclav 500/125mg 1 3x daily' and 'Azithromycin 250mg' which I have to take 1 every 72hrs for the rest of my life.

I also have Rhuematoid Arthritis and have infusions for this which lowers my immune system and had my Lypmthnodes removed which adds to the lowering of my immune system. Needless to say I am worried as I gather everyone was/is upon finding out that they to have lung problems now.

Any advice and reassurance that anyone can give me would be greatly appriciated.

[sassy59]

Welcome Janice good to have you as a member of HU. It's not nice to have lung problems of any kind but you are amongst friends here.

You can keep yourself as well as possible by eating well, doing what you can when you can and keep away from people with colds etc.

Wishing you well xxxx

[Ja_nice in reply to sassy59]

Thank you Sassy59 xx

[VonnyM]

Welcome Janice

[Titchy52]

Ja_nice welcome to the site your in safe hands lovely caring people who understand how you feel best wishes x

[Caspiana]

Hello Janice. WELCOME!! 😁 So nice to meet you. I don't have the same lung condition as you but I do have Obliterative Bronchiolitis and Rheumatoid arthritis. I am currently on a Remicade and MTX for my RA. And a host of drugs for my lungs.

I'm so glad you're here. This is a,fantastic forum to be part of. Do come by often. Hope you're having a good weekend.

Cas xx 😁🌹

[Ja_nice in reply to Caspiana]

Thank you Caz.

Hope you are keeping well xx

[velvet55]

Hello Janice

Welcome.....l don't have your illnesses, but there will be someone on here that can help you, or you can get info and advice from the BLF.

The members on here are very supportive and knowledgeable, and l am sure you will find being a member very worthwhile.

Velvet xx

[Pentreath Volunteer]

Hi Janice - welcome to the forum. I have had bronchiectasis for a number of years. It is a sneaky condition as you never know when (or why) it flares up. Most of us with bronch manage pretty well when an exacerbation is not on the go or recovering from one. You have complexities added because of your RA and the medication you have to take for that. Do ask if you can be referred for pulmonary rehabilitation course as they are really good at giving you correct information and lots of ideas on how you can be as healthy as possible. It also gives you the chance to meet other people with various respiratory conditions. They are usually run at local hospitals in two hour sessions (one for information, one for exercise) over a few weeks. Your GP or consultant can refer you.

[Ja_nice in reply to Pentreath]

Hello Pentreath,

Thank you so much for the information I will defiantly have a word with my Dr as I really do want to know more about this condition.

Hope you are keeping well x

[Hidden]

Welcome Janice. Sorry to hear of your troubles. I have Bronchiectasis too and low immunity. I can only echo the advice of others, try to avoid people with infections - almost impossible I know. I find the regular hospital appointments quite helpful. Hope you will too.

[Collington]

I no expert but had Broncectisis for 8 years i been in hospital few times nothing can be done i was told by Connsultant just eat healthy i have C.O.P.D. but seems broncectisis is worse at the Moment . Pick up debre outside home and inside .So dont think about it you know when infection is coming on thats time for Atbioctic to take i have pack inhand for C.O.P.D. had pnumona can set in very quike .When been in hospital i come home very weak for long time depends on how servea it is but in saying that i dont fight it rest plenty drinks let it have its time ,Get stronger then each day do bit more than day befor i fond if i went out to soon i got so exgusted so stedy has you go . I worked all my life very fit workrd with disablity adults then moved to children 5 yo 18 was told working days over i was 58 years old i said to consultaint oh no i realy thought i would be well in time but he ws right of course i am know 65 .

[Hidden]

Hi Janice. I think you mean haemophilus influenzae, a nasty bug which is fairly common in bronchiectasis. I hope the antibiotics you had in hospital will have killed it off.

Many of us take azithromycin, 1 x 3 times a week (usually Mon, Wed, Fri). This regime has been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect and help keep our lungs 'clean', thereby repelling bacteria.

Another crucial thing to do is daily lung clearance exercises, for which you need referral to a specialist chest physiotherapist. I hope, given you've recently been in hospital, this has been arranged for you. It will help a great deal with the nighttime coughing.

I've got a few lung problems but bronchiectasis is the worst. I was diagnosed in my early 40s and over 20 years later am still here. It is a bit limiting & I have to work hard to stay reasonably well, but I still get a lot out of life & am aiming for another 20+ years!

There is quite a lot to learn but we are all here for you and you will get on top of your bronch. I don't have RA but bronch does seem to go hand in hand with it for a lot of people, I don't know why.

Ask us anything you like, but in the meantime I suggest you have a read of this excellent booklet chss.org.uk/documents/2013/...

There's another great support forum you might like to join bronchiectasis.info

[Ja_nice in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much..and sorry about the spelling 🤗

I also found out that I had pneumonia on top but at present I do feel the best I have in months 😃

I haven't been given any follow up appointments as of yet since leaving hospital but I'm sure I will otherwise I will get it sorted with my Dr.

Thank you for the links I will click on them and most probably join.

I hope you are keeping well x

[Peteybob]

Hello Janice and welcome to the group!

[Ja_nice in reply to Peteybob]

Thank you Pete 🙂