My daughter was diagnosed with bronchiectasis two years ago but I am rather unclear as to whether the on going identified bacteria I.e. pseudomonas & another one which seems to reoccur means she actually has a constant chest infection.
She is on a nebulised dose for the pseudomonas which seems to make her more wheezy & breathless but she is not unwell & has no fever...so what I am worried about is,if she has permanent chest infections that it will be making her condition worse & gradually destroying her lungs .
I know the symptoms of bronchiectasis is a permanent cough & breathlessness but she has had the odd few months of being clear.
What actually presents as a chest infection?
Any advice ?
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rossiedavid
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We are all different so it's very difficult to compare. So many different types of bacteria.
Pseudonoma is a serious and stubborn bacteria, I've read here that people can be colonised with it and the cultures take longer to show than simpler ones to test.
Never hesitate to keep going back to your gp.
Those members who've had bronch from childhood insist that a bronch specialist consultant is paramount, not just any old lung specialist.
Those members will be along shortly I hope to advise better than I.
In the meantime do give the help line a call during UK office hours 03000 030555
Hi, everyone is different. I have bronchiectasis and have had pseudomonas. It's not a death sentence as the internet would lead you to believe! I got rid fortunately with a big dose of ciprofloxacin tablets . I dont usually have any cough unless I'm ill. Occasional mucus if I go somewhere that irritates my lungs. I'm asthmatic too.
When ill the mucus turns green and I feel very tired and very ill. Just want to sleep and have a temperature.
Then I get a sputum sample into doctor. I dont nebulise or take prophylactic abs. I have rescue abs at home. My thoughts are when was your daughter last reviewed? If the nebulising is making her wheezy she needs to tell her doc. Does she have asthma too?
I believe pseudomonas can be stubborn but I'm living proof after 10 years it's possible to get rid.
She must try and stay as healthy as possible and avoid coming into contact with small children and crowds. As I've said before like a cracked record, I have been much better since I took vit D, E, C fish oil and Zinc.
Hi....under fives carry things like haemophilus in their respiratory systems. It doesnt bother them but people with bronch are more susceptible. Make sure she has no cut flowers in water. That's a place pseudo love. In fact any decomposing organic material harbours pseudo. It is everywhere anyway but there are things to avoid. After the little 'uns in my family got older my health improved!
I have been very ill in the past , intravenous antibiotics etc and now I am much improved after leaving work . Hard to have a relaxed pace with kids but hopefully she gas lits of support.
I hope the transplant issue is addressed when it needs to be.
My daughter was interested to know if you managed to work full time or part time with your bronchiectasis condition - she would love to go back to work after her youngest started school but fears she would not be able to cope with the coughing fits & possible time off through illness.
Hi...to cut a long story short I worked 4 days a week after first being diagnosed for about 5 years then work changed that to full time. I didn't last long, about two years. I was constantly ill with exacerbations every 6-8 weeks. It forced me to leave work eventually.
I have pseudomonas and nebulise colomycin daily for it. The idea is the nebuliser keeps the pseudomonas at bay so if your daughter is not showing any other signs she most likely doesn’t have infection. Does she have salbutamol to nebulise at the same time to help with the breathlessness? If not she could ask about having this added to her prescription.
You don’t say what the other bacteria is that your daughter is culturing but that would most likely be considered an exacerbation. Generally bronchiectasis consultants usually seek to eradicate pseudomonas when it first presents. Unfortunately pseudo seems to lurk around. That doesn’t mean someone colonised with psuedo has an exacerbation and the best way of seeking help is when you actually feel ill.
There are a number of ways of trying to keep down the numbers to keep the status quo. Azithromycin is often taken by people with bronchiectasisnormally 1 3 times a week, although sometimes it can be changed by the con to 1 per day.
I am assuming you are talking about nebulised antibuitucs, I hope, esspecially as she has asthma, that she either uses a bronchodiator inhaler or a nebulised bronchodilator (as she woud when being assessed at the hospital for this nebuised antibiotic). In any event if she is experiencing much more wheeze whilst on them, she might want to contact her consultant to discuss.
I have had bronchiectasis from being a baby following double pneumonia and whooping cough in 1948, folowed by measles when I was 19. I was in and out if hospital as a child (different times) but led normal teenage years, worked married and had a child. All my life though I have done lung clearance, which I note you have not mentioned in relation to your daughter.
Please make sure she apprecites the importance of having a respiratory consultant who has a special interest in cf/non cf brnchiectasis. Take a look online.
She will appreciate such a special Mum. My own Mum was my rock.
Please let your daughter know we would love her to pop in and chat - we don’t bite, although I appreciate she must be very busy.
I will check with my daughter about all the things you have mentioned.
One of the responses from my post suggested she may have developed the haemophilus bug from her youngest daughter.She had that for quite a long time but unfortunately a lot of her samples kept coming back clear.It seems this is quite a common problem.
You are a great inspiration having coped with your condition all your life.
I’m not sure what the procedure is for lung clearance ..the only thing my daughter does is use a nebuliser everyday.
I really appreciate all the very helpful replies I have received.
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