Bronchiectasis - Help to Alleviate Symptoms

Hi There

I am new to this site and after reading other sufferers posts and all the helpful responses thought I would give it a try 😊

I was diagnosed with Bronchiectasis back in 2004. I am told it is only a mild case but suffer with shortness of breath (getting worse) and would love to understand if other sufferers have a constant cough? The cough seems to be progressing i.e more often/longer spells and I am finding that I only have to do something strenuous, walk a 100 yards or up a slight incline and I am struggling for breath and then the cough kicks in, making breathing even more difficult. I also find stuffy rooms/change of temperature affects my chest and breathing, again bringing on constant coughing. It has got to the point where I am avoiding going out to public places for this reason. Are these just normal symptoms of bronchiectasis?

I take all the usual medication - Carbocistine, Montelukast, Fexofenadine - but don't believe they are helping much.

When I was first diagnosed the doctor put me on 6 months of azithromycin and then 6 months on clarithromycin. Sadly he has passed away but he was the only doctor who instantly knew what was wrong when I was trying get a diagnosis (which took 7 years in total). That combination of antibiotics seemed to work but then another doctor has taken me off them.

I would love to get to a better place so I can feel healthier. Perhaps I need to insist I see a Bronchiectasis specialist to get the right treatment, which another member suggested recently in a post.

Are there special diets alongside some form of exercise a good way to help Bronchiectasis sufferers? Do inhalers help?

All suggestions/comments would be very much appreciated 😊

[Hidden]

Hello maz, from reading your post and the medications that you are currently taking it is obvious to me that you are not now being treated for or being helped to manage your bronchiectasis. Bronchiectasis is complex and requires a bronchiectasis expert to advise your GP on which drugs to give you, the dose, length and delivery. Combined with this you need the help of the specialist’s physio to teach you how to empty your lungs everyday. This is very important in robbing the bacteria of a place to multiply.

I suggest that you look for a bronchiectasis specialist in your area. They are usually at large teaching hospitals. Take the name to your GP and insist on a referral. Do not be satisfied with a general respiratory consultant as most of them are trained in COPD and don’t know much about bronch although they don’t like to admit it.

Don’t take no for an answer. It is YOUR health that they are neglecting.

Good luck

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hello and thank you Littlepom. I will push to see a specialist as soon as I can and hopefully they can help me improve. Best wishes. Maz

[jaguarxf1]

maz,

the thing that helps me most in similar symptoms is prednisolone...this is a corticosteroid which has many side effects and MUST be carefully prescribed and monitored...

i am about to start a 6 week twice a week COPD clinic - fingers crossed...be VERY careful to discuss and understand if you take prednisolone...

best wishes

matt

[Hidden in reply to jaguarxf1]

I see that you have copd jaguar. Bronchiectasis does not come under the copd umbrella and bronch specialists tend not to give oral steroids unless asthma is present with the bronch. In 65 years Ihave never had them. It is really good that they work for you and I hope that this course gets you going at full speed

[chubby2x22]

Welcome Maz. I have bronchiectasis and emphysema. I see a chest consultant and he put me on azithromyacin 3 times a week indefinitely. I also use spiolto respimat 2 puffs each morning. I have been so much better no coughing at all. Hope this helps Jane.

[Hidden]

Hello and thank you. I will ask 're taking azithromyacin again as I did feel it helped when I was first diagnosed but for some reason another doctor took me off them. Best wishes. Maz

[R1100S1]

Keep up the fight mate. I have both asthma and bronchiectasis

I find the breathing exercises help and use the acapella device.

[Hidden]

Thank you. Will try this device and see if it helps.