Can anyone give me advice on sleeping. Wake several times a night in a bit of a panic. Have had bronchiectasis since I was 18.

[Monetlover]

This is my first post. I also need help with sleeping. Wake many times feeling very stressed. Have had bronchiectasis since I was 18.

[2greys]

I will have to say that exercise and working wear me out, a lot, as well as going to bed no earlier than 11 pm and staying awake until then. I sleep like a baby right through until 5:30/6:00 am. I do have stage 4 Emphysema though, not Bronchiectasis.

[Hidden]

Hi Monetlover. I have had bronch all of my life and am 69. I always wake up every 2 or so hours and put on my radio with the sleep button and start listening to something on 4 extra. I am usually asleep before the programme has ended. Sometimes I wake because I can't get my breath. This is usually because there is some mucus stuck somewhere which is preventing the air from going in and out. I get up and work on getting rid of it. Perhaps you could think about why you wake up and take practical steps to deal with it. Hopefully by taking control you will be able to be less anxious.

[Hidden]

Take Advil PM to sleep.

[GintyFerguson]

Get a good book and have a calming down routine at night. Dont use smart phone. The light disturbs sleep. Or try hypnotherapy. The key is to relax the body then the mind will follow! Good luck...

[Monetlover in reply to GintyFerguson]

Thank for the tips, will try.

[OnefishTwofish]

Wish I could help Monetlover, but we've not found a magic bullet solution for my boyfriend either. Go back to basics of exercising when you can (even walking outside 15 mins a day is a start if you don't do it already), drinking more water, eating well, going to bed at the same time and getting up at the same time each day in terms of mechanical actions. Ultimately you need to address the cause of your stress mentally in order to progress.

Good luck and let us know how you get on

[Monetlover in reply to OnefishTwofish]

Wish I could do more walking. Have arthritis in both hips and cannot have replacement hip operation because of my chest. Too many bugs in there. Not sleeping properly makes you anxious doesn’t it? But thanks anyway.

[Hidden in reply to Monetlover]

You need to see someone who understands bronch about your hips. You can have the op with an epudural to save having a feneral. Also, the bugs which get in our lungs are no danger to other parts of our body. If you were to have the op you should have a 2 wk coursevof whichever ab your bronch consultant thinks best to give you a good clear out before the op. This is to help prevent an exacerbation post op because of not being able to move about much.

[Monetlover in reply to Hidden]

Hi there. Thanks for advice, but have seen 3 consultants re my hips and none of them are prepared to do op as I have pseudonomas in my lungs.

[Hidden in reply to Monetlover]

Well I have had pseudomonas since 1986 and have had a five hour face lift and several nasties with cameras up and down plus other procedures. There is a huge misconception about pseudomonas and unfortunately this can affect the reaction of medics who have no expertise in bronch towards us. I can see why they wouldn’t want to give you a general anaesthetic but as I said, that can be overcome with epidural. All it requires is the same high standard of cleanliness as anyone who does not have bronchiectasis should be getting.It’s a shame because I am sure that life would be so much better for you if you could have your new hips.

[Monetlover in reply to Hidden]

Interesting, but may have left it too late. I am now 80 and my hips have been bad for 7 years. Will talk to Doctor. Thank you.

[Hidden in reply to Monetlover]

Hmm I think ageism could be in play here. My friend had her 2nd hip done at 78. Privately though. I was thinking that maybe your bronch consultant - and I do hope you have one - may talk to the surgeon or have a surgeon colleague and they could liaise wirh over the pseudomonas.

[Monetlover in reply to Hidden]

Evidently it only relates to implants, metal or plastic, as there is no blood supply to implants for antibiotics to work. Probably OK with any other operation. Infection could happen weeks, months or years after op. Thanks, wish it were otherwise.

[Hidden in reply to Monetlover]

I have dental implants - mystery

[Monetlover in reply to Hidden]

Could be they are more accessible in case of infection. As you say a mystery.

[Patk1 in reply to Monetlover]

Howre u getting on now? Ive severe bronchiectasis and multiple other respiratory diseases.i alo wake ea 2hrs.if yr 02 levels go too low,yr heart suddenly speeds up to deliberately wake u - prob why breathless & struggling.i get up and clear mucous,use pufferrs if needed and a drink,b4 sleeping+waking..andon.

[Hidden in reply to Monetlover]

Epidural rather than general anaesthetic

[Izb1]

Hi Monetlover and welcome to the site. I too have bronchiectasis and dont sleep well, mine is due to the fact that I have problems with my sinus's as well so am constantly coughing up mucus even throughout the night which drives me potty. The only time I get relief and sleep is when I take antihistamine, but I dont like taking this too often. I think Littlepom is right in saying you could have your hips done by having an epidural, think of the relief you would have, speak with your consultant. I do hope you find a solution to your sleeping pattern x

[Monetlover in reply to Izb1]

Hi there. Thanks for advice, but have seen 3 consultants and none of them will do op as I have pseudonomas in my lungs.

[Patk1 in reply to Monetlover]

Yr lung diseases must be advanced and too risky to operate,for 3 to have refused.we r all different and comorbidities come into play.i hope u get prescried sme pain relief x

[bonny64]

Hi have you tried downloading chill pill app it is great for total relaxation it has sleep/anxiety/tinnitus and other things on it. Some you pay for but I only listen to the free ones. If I wake I play one and am asleep before it’s finished.Hope this helps.

[Dedalus]

Hello and welcome

[Ergendl]

I wear an eye mask and listen to audio books to help me get to sleep, and get back to sleep when I awaken through the night. The stories take my mind off aches and pains and noises elsewhere.