Not too bad

[Harvestmouse]

Hi there, I've been diagnosed with Bronchiectasis and a smattering of COPD. My problem isn't with that as I haven't got many symptoms at all. Breathing ok , no phlegm. My problem seems to be that I don't feel myself, I feel down and unwell in the mornings. When it gets to afternoon I come round. I try to do what I call Occupational therapy doing little jobs to take my mind off it. My question is, does anybody here feel the same? Should I go to Dr and ask advice? ( I'm not much of a Dr person). Thanks for reading this.

[HungryHufflepuff]

Hello and welcome 😊

I don't have the same condition as you but mornings are becoming difficult for me, I feel exhausted before I even get up. In part I imagine it's from not sleeping well. By the evening I'm exhausted again! I feel weary for much of the day. I'm going to try a new regime of vitamin D and K. Someone here said anaemia can cause fatigue, nausea and I can't remember what else, but it seemed to be everything that I have, unfortunately iron upsets my stomach. Keeping occupied to take your mind off things is good. I'm sure someone will be along soon to give you more helpful advice than this!

[Harvestmouse in reply to HungryHufflepuff]

Thank you, will start again on bit D

[gingermusic]

I find it hard to believe you have been diagnosed with Bronchiectasis if you have no phlegm and high volume of phlegm and constant cough are the main symptoms. I would go back to your GP and tell them exactly how your feeling.

[Kattria in reply to gingermusic]

Gingermusic I was diagnosed with Bronchiectasis over six years ago and I too have very little phlegm and also am asthmatic. I use my inhalers every day as recently I have found it more difficult breathing properly and trying different ones. It's like trial and error. Maybe everyone's degree of Bronchiectasis works differently.

[Harvestmouse in reply to gingermusic]

I've had CT scan so they know it's Bronchiectasis. I've told my GP no phlegm. But will go back about not feeling good. Thanks

[Hidden in reply to Harvestmouse]

There is a form of bronch known as dry bronchiectasis. Quite unusual and strange to us mucus producers but maybe this is what you have. All chest conditions can make you feeld down and being a lifelong bronch I realised that this was the cause of my episodes of ‘sadness’ during my childhood. I have battled with anxiety and depression all of my adult life. It is difficult to decide whether this is coming from your physical state or other issues. I have had various medications over the years but am currently managing by using a kind of cbt.

Only you can decide. If you can devise a morning strategy to head off the awful feelings that might be good but if you are finding life really difficult it would be a good idea to talk to your GP. I have found that they are better with my mental health issues than they ever have been with my bronchiectasis.

[Harvestmouse in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Littlepom, I think you could be right about dry Bronchiectasis, I'm not feeling good in the mornings but tend to get better about 2 . Nothing I can put my finger on though, just generally yuck, that's why I haven't bothered my Dr but going to get an appointment tomorrow if I can get one.

[Hidden in reply to Harvestmouse]

Do let us know how you go on.

[gingermusic in reply to gingermusic]

So sorry just that I was always led to believe that the main symptom of this was chronic cough and phlegm so maybe I was not informed correctly?

[Harvestmouse in reply to gingermusic]

No probs, we're not drs are we? Just trying to encourage each other, so thanks

[santisuk in reply to gingermusic]

It's called "dry bronchiectasis" and is not uncommon among the population who have the bronchiectasis condition. [I made a similar mistake in commenting on a similar posting a few months back and someone corrected me].

[Kattria]

Hi Harvestmouse. I feel just the same. Very little phlegm although I do have asthma also and find it hard to get a deep breath at times. Have you tried pulmonary rehab. Your doctor or hospital who diagnosed your condition could possibly enrol you in a six week group. You go twice a week for 2 hours and then once a week,for 1 hour. Doing exercises and meeting new people who share the same and other conditions. May be worth a try ? I also just taken up doing a Tai Chi class which helps you to relax and your mind rest even for an hour. ! Good luck and hope you feel better soon.

[Harvestmouse in reply to Kattria]

Thanks for replying. I've done a breath test, forget what proper name is, and it was weak there was no difference after inhaler that's when I was told I had COPD too. I'll ask to about the pulmonary rehab. Thanks

[Hidden in reply to Harvestmouse]

Bronchiectasis does not usually react positively to inhalers ( no reversability on the machine reading) but I believe that some forms of copd and of course, asthma, do. So the reasoning for the diagnosis is odd. Just to add to the complications, many people with bronchiectasis have inhalers, which even their own consultants don’t seem able to explain except that the steroid element helps to keep down inflammation and the bronch dilater opens and supports the airways- or so they should. We are all different and therein lie so many problems.

[syntax]

When you say " Smattering of COPD " exactly what are you

saying please.

I cannot have ops on lungs because COPD in to many

areas.Like too many holes so to speak.

[Harvestmouse in reply to syntax]

Hi, As I said in another post, I went for breath test and was told then that I had COPD, because my test was no better after inhaler than it was before inhaler ,there's so much to take in isn't there? I'm 77 and never been ill in my life before this.

[Izb1]

Hi Harvertsmouse and welcome to the site. I have bronchiectasis but suffer a cough and constant phlegm. I have chronic fatigue at the moment which i am not sure is caused by the bronch or my rheumatoid. Perhaps your morning problems are caused by other things, such as lack of iron or maybe your not getting enough oxygen at night, it could be a number of things, you will need to discuss this with your doctor and go through tests to identify. Let us know how you get on x

[Harvestmouse in reply to Izb1]

Thanks for replying lzb1. You may be right about oxygen, we used to sleep with the window open at night, but stopped because of dogs barking at 11 pm and again at 6am. I have one of those aromatherapy demisters, may just try that! Thank you

[Luppe]

Fair to say mornings are tough - as other suggest I expect you won’t necessarily have slept well and if you have shower, the humidity can make things tougher for some.

Def worth talking to your Dr (be aware, they can often suggest ‘happy pills’ of various types - am not qualified to say if good or bad but it may not need to be your first move). Probably worth talking to a therapist of some sort as you’ve recently been given some life-changing news... your brain and body will take a while to manage that shock.

Something that works for me is having a fun event to aim at - always good to focus forward.

[Harvestmouse in reply to Luppe]

Thanks Luppe, I have an appointment for this morning, my problem is that I feel a nuisance, going to Dr ,but I just want to know if this feeling is part and parcel of the bronchi. Cheers Anne