Bronchestis

[Lindy-loo1949]

Hi all! Hope your'e day is going well. I have a question to ask whoever can answer it would be appreciated. 36 years ago I was diagnosed with COPD and then I found out it was bronchiectasis. As I've mentioned before I live in Vancouver British Columbia and there were a lot of forest fires going on for really the complete summer. A few times I had to stay inside because going outside was brutal. It is now September the end of and 5 days ago I started hacking up colored sputum and I thought oh great another infection. Well I took my stuff in to be cultured and got the results today that everything was normal? I am very confused because I'm still coughing it up and it's not clear to say the least. I was so down for the count for 3 days when it began to happened I thought oh my gosh do I have to go into the hospital but I didn't because going into the hospital is like getting sick all over again from the bugs in there! Can anyone tell me is this the norm? And have you tried different things to alleviate the sputum production?

[Lucybird]

Hia,

I also have bronchiectasis, my sputum is only ever clear right after a course of antibiotics which my doctor has said is normal for the condition. As for clearing it have you been given any breathing exercises to do? Usually I will do mine a couple of times a day, but if I'm feeling particularly congested I'll do them more. You can also use your flutter/acapella if you have one.

I can tell you my exercises if you don't have any, but really I would recommend asking your doctor for some exercises

[Lindy-loo1949 in reply to Lucybird]

My doc has never given me excercises to do. Would you mind sharing them with me? That wold be great!

[Hidden]

Hi Lindy loo. Very often with us bronchs culture samples come back negative when there is obviously something in there. Labs aren't perfect and often run a very limited search for bugs. With bronchiectasis you need to have an antibiotic at home to start immediately the colour changes from what is normal for you. It should be in a high dose for at least two weeks. It is very important that the infection is not allowed to increase because it causes further damage to the lungs. Unfortunately it seems that Doctors all over the world are as ignorant of bronch as GPs and many respiratory consultants in England. I suggest that you go to your doctor and insist on having those antibiotics. Also, if you are not under the care of a bronchiectasis expert I really urge you to find one. They are essential in the management of bronch which requires expert medical help and rigorous self management.

Lucybird is right in that the most important thing is to get the mucus out of your lungs constantly and more so when you have an infection in there. It is very kind of her to offer to teach you her exercises. Please do take her up on it and start emptying those lungs now.

I hope that helps.

[Lindy-loo1949 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much. I lived relatively symptom free except for infections. However, when the problem with my lungs began this summer and wouldn't leave I knew I had flipped the page in a new chapter. 😣 It would be nice if I could go back and write the book!Get rid of the pain! (And the yukkies.)

[Hidden in reply to Lindy-loo1949]

All is not lost. Bronch is a strange and complex thing. you can go on for a long period without any bother then it decides to rattle its cage and you can be plagued with infection after infection, loads of the yuckies and feel absolutely wiped out. It is possible to get on top of it and to get back to normality. It takes a combination of the correct antibiotic in the right dose for long enough, and really working to empty the gunk from your lungs. This acts with the abs to combat the infection and stop the bugs increasing. All hard when you feel terrible but worth it when you feel normal again. As a lifelong bronch, if I had considered that going through a period of bad exacerbations was the signal that my life was over I would not have had the very full and adventurous life that I have.

I see it as the boggart within and if it dares to raise its head I teach it who's boss.

Ipogle's advice to do the cycle of breathing is very important. It will help you to get it all out.

[Lindy-loo1949 in reply to Hidden]

I have learnt so much from this community! I thank God I have found you all! I've been educated more here in the past month than 35 yr.s "out here"

[Hidden]

Search online for acbt (active cycle of breathing techniques). There are several good results. Usually you would go through this with a physiotherapist to ensure that you have the correct technique.

[Lindy-loo1949 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for sharing the info. 😊

[Lindy-loo1949 in reply to Hidden]

What great exercises!