Exacerbation of Bronchiectasis ???

[Sevenstar]

Hi guys , I am 67 and have had mild Bronchiectasis for many years , I have not needed any treatments as yet and thankfully not many infections , I've only needed Doxycycline for those . But , something feels different , my last CT in 2018 showed only very minor changes from 12 years ago which was reassuring at the time !

I am not bringing up any more sputum than usual and it is always clear , but I am more breathless and very very tired !

My question to you fellow sufferers is , can you have an exacerbation without any infection and what defines an exacerbation?

Thanks in advance !

[Sevenstar]

Poemsgalore1 ... thank you for replying but the reply has vanished and I can't find it anywhere, it looked helpful too !

[sandravale]

I get these periods as well. Cold and windy weather seems to make me much worse. I suggest that you ask your doctor for a Ventolin inhaler. This has made my breathlessness much better. I don't need it all the time but at least it is there when I do

[Sevenstar in reply to sandravale]

Thank you sandravale , ok that's a good call , I'm seeing him next week so I will ask , anything that helps, breathlessness is scary !

[BionicLady]

I also have Bronchiectasis and my rescue is Doxy.

The damp and rainy days always flares up my chest, I even get breathless and wheezy hours before the rain even comes down or the night before, must be something in the air.

Another reason I feel breathless and exhausted is when I have pseudomomas. It is a strange bacteria that doesn't make me feel bedridden ill, but it does affect me in a different way as above.

You are doing the right thing in getting things checked out and yes, breathlessness isn't the nicest feeling to experience and can really affect us in our daily lives.

Stay positive and do let us know how you get on.

[Sevenstar in reply to BionicLady]

Thank you Bionic Lady , yes I will keep you posted, quick question, when you flare on those damp days do you still have clear sputum? That's the bit I can't figure !

Thx and take care 🥰

[BionicLady in reply to Sevenstar]

I have days when sputum is clear and other days when it is green and thick. It does vary but my priority is physiotherapy, the more I do, the clearer my chest. Sometimes very difficult with two little one's but even if I clear for ten minutes a day it does make a difference.

I have also noticed that when I don't drink enough water, my sputum is very thick.

I hope this is helpful Sevenstar1 🌈🤩

[Sevenstar in reply to BionicLady]

It really helps , thank you for taking the time 🥰