Bronchiectasis, exercising and mucus!!!

[thewheezyone]

Can anyone give advice on exercising with bronchiectasis ( also waiting for ABPA diagnosis confirmation)?

I walk my dog twice a day and get breathless so of course I end up coughing and then have to cough out phlegm from my chest!

I would love to go to the gym like I used to 12 months ago before I got ill but it would be embarrassing if I had a coughing fit😣

I currently take spiriva respimat and duoresp spiromax inhalers and montelukast, along with a host of supplements such as serrapeptase and NAC.

Any advice? X

[mrsmummy]

Hi. I suggest you check out the leaflets produced by the BLF. There is some advice here on self-management of bronchiectasis, including exercise.

blf.org.uk/support-for-you/...

[Hidden]

Hi there thewheezyone. Well it's all in the timing. The gob goblin is a fact of life with bronchiectasis. The best and most important thing that you can do for yourself is to get rid of it thoroughly every day. You need to pick a time when you can practice breathing tecniques ( plenty to access) in order to loosen it and cough it out. A concerted effort several times each day is better and less disruptive to your daily life than simply reacting every time it chooses to block your tubes and make you breathless because it wants to come out. It is really good that you are walking your dog. This is causing you to breathe deeper and this, together with the motion is loosening the mucus so that you can get rid of it.

It's up to you whether to spend some time getting rid of mucus before you set off on your walk or walk pretty close to home so that when you get the warning you can make your way back and then go through the process of getting it up. Welcome to the club. You will get control of it. I have had bronch since I was a tiny child and have always created lots of mucus. It hasn't stopped me doing anything. Good luck and happy dog walking.

[Hidden]

Just a word about the gym. Again, get as much mucus out as you can before you go. The exercise will loosen the mucus so simply saunter to the loo, get rid of it and saunter back to the machines. Over 64 years I have become an expert at knowing where the loos are and ignoring funny looks from anyone in there who has heard me. Do keep on doing everything that you enjoy, especially when, like exercise it is very good for you.

[thewheezyone]

Thank you everyone! X