Bronchiectasis

[Asken]

I have had CT scan showing mild bronchiectasis and Asthma to I use a walking stick to help with my balance Does anyone else suffering from this

[Izb1]

Hi Asken, I have bronchiectasis and suffered a severe attack of labryinthitis in 2010 which damaged my right ear/eye, this lasted almost 4 years and left my balance impaired. I was told this was due to fine crystals that dont drain and get caught in the inner ear. I do occasionally feel this flare up but stamp it down quickly with meds. Wish I could do the same with the bronch, not much helps with this. Hope you are well. Irene x

[Blackcat99 in reply to Izb1]

Hi, Asken & Isb 1,

I’ve had issues with occasional bouts of quite severe giddiness for a number of years, but they were always put down to a virus or an inner ear infection, or maybe high BP, and I just had to wait for them to pass. Recently had one episode, and still had it when I went to see practice nurse for an (unrelated) scar dressing. She arranged for me to see GP, who performed a series of head and neck manoeuvres and - wow! I could see straight again!

Same story - calcium crystals moving around within auditory passages. Believe it’s called Benign Paroxysmal Posotional Vertigo (!) There was no mention of a possible connection to bronchiectasis, but in fairness, this wasn’t my usual GP.

I had - at long last- a diagnosis of bronchiectasis in January this year and am slowly realising that a number of ailments which I have suddenly acquired over the past few years may well be related to this - e.g. joint pain, sometimes incapacitating, or sinus problems.

I think bronchiectasis seems to be a bit of a poor relation in terms of research or a properly-formulated approach. I know it’s rarer than COPD, etc., but not sure that feeling different helps us feel any better!

The good news is - for giddiness, maybe worth asking go about those neck manoeuvres? You can also find self-help online, try Googling it?

Good luck!

[Izb1 in reply to Blackcat99]

Hi Blackcat99, never heard of neck manouveres but glad they worked for you. I do have exercises to do that can help to move the crystals, I do them on a regular basis, they dont always help but do them anyway. Nothing worse than your balance being off and the sickness it causes.

[MoyB]

I have asthma and bronchiectasis but also have Menieres Disease which gives rise to sudden disabling attacks of vertigo. When the vertigo comes on I have to sit as still as possible, or lie down, until it has gone which can be several hours. When I am wobbly, I have to use a three wheeled walker to get to the loo and back. I try not to walk far when my balance has gone as it is dangerous. Never thought of a connection with bronch. Think it is just a rotten coincidence. xx Moy

[Maximonkey]

Hi Asken, I too have asthma and bronch, I have walking problems which have resulted in my balance being poor at times. I use a stick, which I hate, however, it does make me feel more stable and I haven't had a fall thank goodness for over a year now. I do not think it is anything to do with bronch, at least no-one has ever told me this, in my case anyway I think it is just age, I am 72 and suffer with arthritis too. I felt very depressed when I was first diagnosed with the bronch, I sat around too much and I fell many times and sometimes ended up in hospital. It wasn't worth the worry, thankfully I realised I was wasting my life feeling sorry about something I could not change. I am now as good as it gets and I just get on with life. I think you should check this balance issue with your doctor and consultant and if they cannot help I hope you too can come to terms with the way things are. Take good care of yourself, Maximonkey

[Joy123]

Hi Asken. I have bronchiectasis and asthma but no problems with balance. Sorry, I don’t think there’s a connection. Joy.

[bluedel53]

Hi Asken, I too suffer from Bronchietasis, chronic Asthma, COPD and had a lung removal back in 1978. Things had been going well until I had a major relapse in 2014. Since then, 8 bouts of viral pneumonia, 16 hospital admissions and now under the National Heart & Lung Unit at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London. I now have to use either walking sticks, crutches or a mobility scooter. I was medically retired from my job (military aircraft refueller) in September 2017. Miss my job so much! Recently? Bouts of occasional giddiness first thing in the morning. I now also attend a hospice on two occasions a week. They are brilliant! I am 64. Anyway, take each day as it comes. Best wishes

[Maureenclayton in reply to bluedel53]

Hi my name is Maureen I've been on here for a long time but only very occasionally write in, although I have a few good friends who I'm in contact with all the time one from Canada, one from America, and one from England. We all have similar problems, but while I read yours I thought that sounds like me, I was diagnosed with asthma about twenty years ago and shortly after that I lost my best friend who had a sever asthma attack, that's when I realised how serious it really is, then in 2009 after several chest infections I was told my left lung was damaged, by the way I'm not a smoker, anyway at that time no one explained that it was bronchiectasis and id never heard of it anyway. I've managed for several years on medications they have given me but early last year I got a really bad chest infection and it took a lot of antibiotics to get rid off, however over the full year I got one after the other, altogether eleven and all that time I was on steroids with the occasional rest of one week or sometimes two weeks, then after more infections and more stays in hospital I got another scan and was told it was now in my other lung, since then I've been in hospital five times a couple of weeks at a time. No doctor has ever mentioned a operation on my lungs and I was wondering if you don't mind me asking what sort of condition has your lungs got to be in before they will actually operate and also I would like to ask you how you were after that operation? Did it work? Or did it only work for a while and return bad again? No one ever has explained to me what else can be done for me if anything. Sorry for going on I do hope you are feeling well at the moment. I'm 63 just last week and my life over the last two years has changed so much. Take care. Maureen x

[peege]

I too have bronch and asthma as well as occasional dizziness. At different times I've been diagnosed with menieres or labyrinthitis. Recently GP told me he's the balance expert at the surgery & asked me to do some eye movement tests. He said I have right sided vestibular disease, he gave me exercises (that didn't work). My massage lady did the Epley Manouvre on me and it worked like magic. Now I've learnt how to do myself from YouTube clips. 1st time it didn't work but 2nd time bingo. I'm thrilled. Basically the Epley Manouvre helps to float out those crystals

[MoyB in reply to peege]

THat's very interesting - I didn't know you could do the Epley manoeuvre from watching You Tube - I will try it! xx Moy

[peege in reply to MoyB]

There are loads of clips to chose from.

I can now do it in a sitting position 👍👍👍👍

[fibroglow]

Hi Asken I have Bronchiectasis & Asthma also Spinal problems which in recent Month took me into Emergency Hospital. Had Asthma since young child in out Hospital most childhood. Thought was Cystic Fibrosis. Luckily not!! Just small lungs. Had pneumonia after Operations 8 year ago. Left Lung collapsed. Left weaknesses had so many Chest Infections last year. Was offered CT Scan showed Mild Bronchiectasis.

Under Exeter Hospital very good Consultant.

Thankful for that!! Written to Dr saying always give me 2 Weeks Antibiotics 2 inhalers Fostair 250mg & resprimate other inhaler think that is name. Got Fibromyalgia as well so rubbish memory! At moment as Spine so rubbish walking very slowly with 2 Sticks. Just have 2 Take Day at a Time!! Wish you all the Best!!

[risabel59]

Hi there, I have cylindrical Bronchiectasis and moderate to severe asthma. I ran the London Marathon for Asthma UK this year. I am 59. I would say try not to let your illness limit you. I include exercises for balance in my exercise routine every day. A good one to start with Is to try Brushing your teeth standing on one foot. 30 secs one side, 30 secs the other repeated for the 2 minutes of electric toothbrush cycle. You can always use the basin to balance if necessary.

Maintaining good balance is crucial for good health, from getting out of a chair to walking up stairs.

Keeping going, any exercise is better than none,

Be positive about what you can do and push yourself to try more.

I only signed up for the Marathon because I was so fed up of being ill.

R x