Bronchomalacia

[scobbie1]

Good morning everyone this is only my second post the last one was about floppy tubes well I have been to the resp physio and she has now told me I suffer from bronchomalacia can any one tell me if this is something I should be carefull of I have been prescribed a device to clear my tubes does any one have info on this

[Hidden]

Hello scobbie1

Have you been diagnosed with COPD by a consultant or by your GP?

bronchomalacia or ' floppy tubes' is usually a condition in children. However it can be associated with bronchiectasis. I have bronchiectasis but as I don't have COPD I am not sure if it is associated with COPD. Hopefully someone with COPD can tell you.

In bronchiectasis the airways and even the air sacs (alveoli) become damaged and 'floppy' due to some traumau - repeated infections, pneumonia, whooping cough. In fact there are lots of conditions which can lead to bronchiectasis.

Fluid collects in the airways and needs to be expelled every day to avoid it becoming infected and causing an 'exacerbation ' which makes you feel very ill and leads to further damage. This is why you have been given one of the devices which is very good on the part of the physio. There are several different types and through trial and error we decide which is best for us.

I am concerned about your initial diagnosis and the fact that you have been given very little information. Bronchiectasis can only be diagnosed by ct scan and is often misdiagnosed as another condition. As it requires different treatment and management to COPD it is best to get this sorted out. Given that you have bronchomalacia and fluid in your airways I suggest that if you have not already had a diagnosis from a chest consultant, you insist on a referral to make sure.

I hope that helps a bit. There are lots of people on here with experience of living with COPD and bronchiectasis who will be happy to support you.

[scobbie1 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply last august was my last appointment with the consultant he said you do not have asthma your ct scan showed up you have floppy tubes but unfortunately we can't do anything about this so you do not need to come back unless you have a bad chest infection then your gp will refer you back so I thought that's fine but at the beginning of Feb i had a phone call from my gp receptionist giving me an appointment for my asthma check I said to her I do not have asthma she told me my appointment was made so I should just come so I went along to the nurse told her my story she put me through to doctor as I had a chest infection she gave me antibiotics and steroid tablets. And from there I found out I should have had a follow up appointment with the consultant in Nov and I was suppose to have been referred to res physio and meds should have been changed so doctor got on the phone and organised it all that morning two days later I was at my physio appointment and the appointment with my consultant came through for the 1st march so I will ask about the bronchomalacia then but the consultant I see talks to his desk he does not look at you I feel he just is not interested and I am wasting his time by the way it was the practice nurse who said on the notes it gives a diagnosis of bronchomalacia sorry this story has gone on so long

[Hidden in reply to scobbie1]

Please don't be sorry. These things are complex and take time to sort out. You don't seem as though you have any faith in your consultant but from what you say your GP seems quite cooperative and proactive. It might be a good idea to tell your GP that you want to see a different consultant if you don't get answers to your questions when you next see your existing consultant. Go with a list,

You should have had a letter from the consultant giving your diagnosis and ongoing treatment and management, which you obviously didn't. Some consultants are clever people but have zero people and communication skills. As bronchomalacia is not a disease in itself ( except hereditory in children) it comes with or causes other conditions. The physio is helping you manage the bronchomalacia but you need to know what your underlying condition is so that you and your GP can manage that.Knowledge is power so keep asking questions until you fully understand what you are dealing with.

[scobbie1 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you again

[sassy59]

As mentioned previously Pete has trachea malatia which he has had for some time. He has nebulised meds to help him bring mucus up.

I hope that things work out well for you. Xxxxx

[scobbie1 in reply to sassy59]

Thank you sassy59 mine is at the bottom of the windpipe the physio said

[sassy59 in reply to scobbie1]

Yes it is. Petes is the throat. Take care xxxx

[mrsmummy]

You can telephone the BLF helpline on Monday and chat to one of their specialist respiratory nurses. The number is 03000 030 555.

[scobbie1 in reply to mrsmummy]

Thank you Mrs mummy I will do that