Bronchiectasis

[Mrs8s]

Hi, I was diagnosed in November (2017) with bronchiectasis (mild & in both lungs) does anyone have any tips for me please. I go swimming every week, I have fibromyalgia & sometimes find it hard

[Hidden]

Carbocisteine if you have not already been prescribe them help a lot to keep mucus thin also drinking lots of water. So if you need to cough up its easier to do so, better off the lungs.

Also have you been referred to the physio yet for the active cycle of breathing technique, ACBT, your doc can refer you.

more info here: nhs.uk/conditions/bronchiec...

and on BLF website blf.org.uk/support-for-you/...

If you are not living in UK your local health care and lung care sites may help you with whats available local to you.

[Bella395]

Read some of the threads using the tag Bronchiectasis - there are lots of tips on keeping yourself healthy as possibly. Lung hygiene is very important so learn all you can about getting up the mucous because if you don't do that, infection easily sets in. Ask for an appointment with a physiotherapist who specializes in clearance. Make sure you have all important vaccinations e.g. influenza, pneumovax.

[Patchpoppy2]

I use carbocistine 4 times a day, and also use a flutter valve to help mucus clearance. They do help. Have used these both for years.

[Tinker26]

Ask for an acapella free on prescription ,clears hard to move mucus,couldn’t live without mine ,I to have mild bronchiectasis,but it’s not mild when you have a chest infection.i use carbocysteine also ,hope you feel better soon ,just learn to listen to your body and rest when your symptoms play up !

[Ade29]

Hi I was diagnosed about 4 years ago with the samebut mine is in the middle of one lung. Keeping fit I don't mean going to the gym but generally not a sitting around watching tv all the time,,watching what you eat and hardest of all keep away from people with colds,coughs. I take carbonsistean which is very good. I have Learnt that only you know if you have an infection by your symptoms and the difference in what you are coughing up.the GP can only go from what you are saying, I took a sputum sample in and was convinced I had a infection it was dark green, but they only test for bacteria and I did not have a bacterial infection.I was on antibiotics as a precaution but it was possible it was a viral infection. I keep getting symptoms like this and thus year I have had more antibiotics than ever. I also have an emergency pack when I go on holiday which any doc should give you.

[Ade29]

Carbocisteine is a great drug for breaking down the mucus. I have this condition in one small part of one lung. Since retiring I have walked miles and my husband and I walk all over up an down banks n hills. I hav3 found that this has helped the condition massively. My consultant said being out of breath when exercise is ok it’s forcing the lungs to work hard, it was hard at first but gets easier, also obtain the info from lung society as it gives great breathing exercises which help.