Bronchiectasis

[Remster]

Hi All, any advice on how to avoid flare-ups and get rid of mucus would be greatly appreciated.

[wheezyof]

Hello Remster.

Avoiding others with coughs and colds. Difficult but possible to a great extent. Visitors are told to keep away if ill! Good friends understand.

Eat a good variety of fruits and veg. Avoid too much processed food.

Go to Boots or other chemist and buy cold and flu block. Tiny tube of gel/cream. 1 little dot of this smeared round nostrils and under nose (can't be seen) catches a lot of dust, pollen, virus, bacteria and other irritants. Put it on before going out, wash off when home.

Learn the breathing cycle to clear your lungs. Ask for pulmonary rehab, they teach it there. If not look up mucus clearing on u-tube,

Exercise as much as is comfortable. You will stay stronger and it helps shift the mucus. Exercise makes you breathless but is good. When walking, moving about, don't think no pain no gain but try saying "This exercise is good for me" If you can say it keep going. If you need a breath half way slow down. If you can't say it at all try a more gentle exercise until you build up a bit.

Look for accurate information on the British Lung Foundation website.

If you get a lot of flare ups ask your doctor about taking azythromicin.

If your mucus is hard to shift ask for a flutter. (a gadget like a bubble pipe with a heavy ball bearing in it. You blow against the ball, it rattles, vibrates and loosens the mucus.

Good luck

[Remster in reply to wheezyof]

Hi wheezyof, thanks you so much for your comprehensive advice - very informative/helpful! I'm already on azithromycin but will go and buy the cold and flu block.

Kind regards

[BionicLady in reply to wheezyof]

Hi Wheezyof,

I have never heard of this flu block. When I am flying I put Vaseline around my nostrils which keeps the air moist and actually worked when I went to Italy and I didn't fall ill, I nearly always get ill when I go abroad, every single holiday.

I will definitely try this, thank you again.

🌈

[RoadRunner44 in reply to wheezyof]

Oh well said ! You have said everything that I was going to recommend.

[Hidden in reply to RoadRunner44]

Me too, only better than I ever could.

[BionicLady]

Hello Remster,

How long have you had bronch?

Everyone has their own ways to manage it and what works for some, may not work for others.

My tips are physiotherapy twice a day if you can manage it, the lungs need to be as clear as possible to avoid further damage and infections and if I am honest, when I do it regularly, it actually works.

Take vitamins if you must, I take a variety of stuff because I don't always get my nutrients through food.

Stay warm, lots of layers, keep spare hat and scarf in your bag if need be just in case.

Keep that stomach as well as possible, take probiotic drinks, live yoghurt if you can tolerate it and probiotic supplements because in my experience, I have noticed flare ups when my stomach isn't so good and seems to affect my overall general health and targets my weak point which is my lungs. This is particularly important during the time you are taking antibiotics.

Make sure to have plenty of sample pots so you can get sputum to doctors ASAP to be tested as soon as you are unwell.

Rather than have tea at night, just have some hot water with ginger and honey, it is warming and really good for you.

A good, rounded diet is a must and carrying some extra weight in my experience has been a good thing because when I am unwell, I hardly touch foo.

Little exercise is good if you can fit in. If you can't get out, try and do some gentle things at home such as getting up from a chair without using the arm rests, get one of those prickly balls and roll it under your feet whilst watching TV perhaps and if you can go for a gentle ten minute stroll it is so good to get fresh air. The central heating and being indoors is so not good for our chests, some people are into air purifiers which I am sure are good when central heating is on as they moisten the air.

Most importantly, keep hydrated. That horrible gunk needs to be as thin as possible so we can get rid of it during physiotherapy.

I do hope that helps.

What are you doing atm during this horrible wet, winter which is a nightmare for my lungs?

🌈

[Remster in reply to BionicLady]

Hello BionicLady, thanks for taking the time to reply to my post.

Although I've had asthma for over 10years, I was only diagnosed with Bronchiectasis in Aug 2019 and was off work for 5 months - on steriods, antibiotics and different inhalers. Went back to work 3weeks ago but struggling to cope.

This week I've been working from home but not working today, due to lack of sleep and tiredness etc.

Once again thanks for your helpful advice, which I'm going to action.

Hope you're doing ok yourself. Take care

[BionicLady in reply to Remster]

You're welcome.

I also work four full days a week and don't have flexibility to work from home in this day and age!

It is so hard trying to work and juggle family life with young children too.

Sorry to hear about being diagnosed with another thing, it must be horrid trying to juggle all different meds.

I have found out more from my friends on this Forum than from any other medic out there so you are in good hands!

Take good care 🌈

[RoadRunner44]

Hello. I suffer with bronchiectasis and am attending a pulmonary rehabilitation course at the moment. I would highly recommend trying one. You attend twice a week for six weeks. This particular course is for bronchiectasis sufferers only and each session comprises of appropriate exercises for you personally. All levels are included. This is followed by a discussion and an educational short film covering a different topic related to bronchiectasis. A team of people take the sessions with each one having a specialism. Last week we covered the various ways of removing phlegm from the lungs. Next session a dieticion will be talking about eating properly. Another covered dealing with a flare up.

After reading your post I sincerely believe you would benefit greatly by attending one. I habe been diagnosed with bronchiectasis over 5 years ago but had it long before that, and its only now I was offered a place on the course.

I would ask your specialist nurse or consultant about attending one. You won't regret it and will feel much more knowledgeable and confident afterwards. Best wishes, chrys

[Remster in reply to RoadRunner44]

Thanks RoadRunner44. Will speak to my doc about attending. Take care

[BionicLady]

Hello Remster,

You popped into my head at the weekend, I was wondering how you got on at your hospital appointment.

Take good care 🌈

[Remster in reply to BionicLady]

Hi BionicLady. My appointment was cancelled because I've got a cold at the mo. Had telephone conversation with my GO instead. Thanks for asking after me - really appreciated. How are you? Hope all good.

Take care.

[BionicLady in reply to Remster]

Hey Remster,

Sorry to hear about the cold, I hope you manage to shrug it off quickly. I am just getting over a cold myself, just ended up getting early nights and had three nights of hot water with ginger and honey and rubbed lots of old fashions Vicks on my chest, it seemed to have done the trick.

Take good care and stay safe 🌈

[Remster in reply to Remster]

I meant telephone conversation with my GP not 'GO'. Lol!

[BionicLady]

Sorry for the late reply but I was having problems with getting on the site earlier today.

I knew what you meant Remster, don't worry, I am forever doing this myself lol

🌈