Lung disease

[Izembard]

Hi I've moved down to Cornwall and kept becoming poorly ,have since found out I have bronchiectasis and pleural plaques on both my lungs , I'm fed up with being on antibiotics , I've spent the last six months on the , and have read that every time you get an infection the lungs get worse ,is this true ,I've never smoked ,have always tried to be healthy and keep fit , know panting with just walking up a hill ,it's not fair

[2greys]

No, it is not fair, even for those that did smoke. I am afraid that long term antibiotics are going to be a regular thing. Being breathless on exertion will also be ongoing. Although bronchiectasis and pleural plaques are not something I suffer with, the symptoms of repeated chest infections and breathlesness are common with all the lung diseases. There are a few here that have your condition and no doubt they will reply soon. Hills are a big problem with copd too, so I can empathise with that problem whole heartedly, Southampton, where I live, is full of hills some very steep indeed, but I do manage to conquer most of them even though it takes 4/5 times longer than it should.

[lKeith]

Izembard

Hi, I did a similar thing but moved to East Sussex by the sea and the breathlessness started to be more pronounced. I have since discovered that I have severe emphysema and have the same problems with slopes, hills and stairs in particular as you. Even washing up leaves me without puff.

Lung are very precious but there are treatments out there but you need to research them, be careful however as the web will often scare you witless as it has a habit of reporting on the worst scenario.

IKeith

[Izembard in reply to lKeith]

Hi the trouble is every time you have a chest infection , their is more damage to your lungs , it will just keep getting damaged , and their is no cure for the problem

[Aitchic1]

Hi,

Don't mean to sound ignorant but what are pleural plaques?I find myself similarly frustrated like yourself,been told I have Bronchiectasis (bilateral) and I'm also like a test guinea pig with anti biotics and the most frustrating issue is the breathlessness on banks or hills,things I used to run up and take for granted.I'm 46 and feel 76.I do find myself feeling sorry for myself and hard done by but unfortunately it's the hand I've been dealt,from fit and healthy to frustrated and confused how this seemed to come on all of a sudden.

[Izembard in reply to Aitchic1]

Pleural plaques , means both my lungs are covered with asbestos

[Aitchic1 in reply to Izembard]

Oh,sorry to hear that.

[lKeith]

Izembard

Hi, I don't know your age which can be relevant. There are treatments out there, lung reduction surgery, lung coils lung valves and possibly stem cell treatment. You will need to research these and discuss with your GP or specialist. One or other of these may help your problem so you can enjoy the wonderful place you have gone to.

IKeith

[Izembard]

Thanks I'm a young 58 , but I will get on with having a look for treatments , the hospital's Arnt very good at offering treatment