Covid-19 Effects on Bronchiectasis Sufferers

[MouseLung]

Hello! I'm wondering if any bronchiectasis sufferers have managed to get any info regarding how Covid-19 could potentially affect us if we become infected? I haven't managed to make contact with my chest consultant and haven't found anything of any real substance online. I want to get some kind of perspective - I know we are high risk obviously, but what are our chances of survival?

[Blackcat99]

Like you, I’ve been unable to get any real info on this - suspect the answer is that none really knows?

Obviously, take all possible precautions and - if you do think you might have any symptoms - make very sure that those training you are aware of your pre existing problem, and push for special care?

[Blackcat99 in reply to Blackcat99]

Sorry! Those TREATING you ( not training!)

[MouseLung in reply to Blackcat99]

Thanks Blackcat. x

[Hidden]

I expect we are in the same position as those with any other lung condition MouseLung. Take care. X

[MouseLung in reply to Hidden]

And you Poemsgalore. x

[Izb1]

I dont think anybody can answer that question Mouselung x

[Hidden]

I spoke to my consultant last week. She is one of the formost in her field and on the Committee of the British Thoracic Society. She told me that in China they have a lot of bronchiectasis and are compiling data on the effect which the virus has on those who have it. Obviously this will take some time to come through.

In the meantime, she agreed that we should take every measure to protect ourselves because as we know, it is a respiratory disease.

[MouseLung in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Littlepom. This is promising. How interesting that China has a lot of bronchiectasis. x

[Hidden in reply to MouseLung]

Yes it is. I would live to know what the underlying causes of it are - pollution?

[MouseLung in reply to Hidden]

Could be. Also, they have a very high number of old, male smokers and many of them have died from covid-19.

[Hidden in reply to MouseLung]

Yes. NHS England is saying smokers most at risk from the virus. You don't get bronch directly from smoling though. Smokers get copd which can result in bronch also if there are a lot of infections. Oh doesn't it all make your head ache.

[Response in reply to Hidden]

Little Pom you are a wealth of information about this disease.

Thank you

[Hidden in reply to Response]

I just hope that it helps. We are all so confused by the mixed messages and frightened by the implications for us. My son was funny when I told him what the con had written

He said ' well Mum you know what you live with and you have been coffin dodging since you were three. You know that you will dodge this one too'

I'm determined to. I am going nowhere near another human.being.!

Stay safe x

[Response in reply to Hidden]

Out of the mouth of babes! What a lovely child.

[Hidden in reply to Response]

Bless him he's 44! With a terribly naughty sense of humour.

[Response in reply to Hidden]

Ha Ha! You make me laugh. We can all do with that at the moment.

Out of bad comes good.

[Bronchi1]

Who knows but two things come to my mind . First, my respiratory doctor said immunity is the key factor. If your body can fight the virus because you have good immunity, then you stand a chance. It seems that after 65 years old immunity can drop . 80 year olds have a lot less. Most people dying seem to be over 70 with underlying conditions.

Secondly, if it gets a hold the virus produces thick, sticky mucus in the lungs which is hard to shift. Exactly what folk with bronch have difficulty with already. I read somewhere it has an action on the cilia in the lungs (they usually shift mucus in healthy lungs). If the lungs fill with this thick mucus (where the xrays have the 'ground glass' effect) people can, in a sense, drown . Gross in the extreme.

Best thing is to get used to the idea we are in for long haul until a vaccine is rolled out!

[MouseLung in reply to Bronchi1]

Thanks Bronchi1. x

[Wendyhazelnut]

I have this worry also. I’m not going into work now, but I want to know if I should be completely self isolating like the group of people the government recommends that need ‘shielding’ or social distancing? Which group do we fall into??

[Hidden in reply to Wendyhazelnut]

That is the confusing thing. Actually I am regarding myself as being in the most vulnerable group and am shielding myself. I don't need to take up the time of people doing that for me.

[MouseLung]

I would definitely self-isolate - don't take any chances. I'm taking what the government says with a pinch of salt and working from my own logic and research. As it attacks the lungs in a major way and ours are already compromised, we should consider ourselves in need of shielding, I'd say. I've been wfh for the last two weeks and on lock down since Tuesday. My partner still has to go into work so I'm distancing myself from him.

I've been advised, if you have asthma and/or allergies, to take your preventer and reliever inhaler daily and antihistamines and keep up with your physio to clear the lungs as much as possible. It's not easy not being able to go outside to exercise, but apps and youtube video classes help.

I've also been recommended mucus-clearing essential oils in a vaporiser in your room - eucalyptus, thyme or sage. And eat plenty of immune-boosting foods, staying off white sugar, alcohol and caffeine, or whatever you personally feel compromises your immune system.

x

[tomc]

well, help_61, I have no chance then with Bronc, copd/Emphysema, and other illnesses.... Plus 68 year old pensioner.. hahaha, that`ll be the day I die (in around another 20 years my friend!!) maybe the good lord will grant even longer

Take precautions, Eat well, do what exercise you can and stay positive,

Long live us oldies with health probs... that's what I say.

[MouseLung]

I also have mannose-binding lectin deficiency, probably the cause of the lifetime of chest infections that lead to the lung scarring and eventually bronchiectasis.

I've been on long-term antibiotics for years and I also have asthma so I've also been on steroids all my life. With all of this in mind, I wanted to mend my gut and therefore strengthen my immune system, so I hired a nutritionist for the last couple of years. These are the gut-healing and immune boosting supplements she put me on that have been working wonders. Obviously, everyone is different and these won't be right for all of you, but I hope it will be helpful as a guide for some.

Immunity:

Vitamin C powder

Vitamin D3 & Vit K2 drops

Astragalus Elderberry & Garlic capsules

Zinc

Gut Health:

Prescript Biotics (this revolutionised my ability to fight off colds)

Lactobacillus

Vitamin D is particularly important for lung health. Research has found Vitamin D has been successful in fighting against previous types of coronavirus and the theory is it should also fight against covid-19.

My chest consultant advised Lactobacillus is essential for lung health and if like me you have had many years on antibiotics, the chances are you have little to no levels of it in your gut.

For those with muscle aches caused by inflammation brought on by bronch, I find omega 3 really helps.

I can't recommend getting a good nutritionist highly enough. She absolutely revolutionised my health and ability to fight off colds. I used to catch almost all the colds I came into contact with but now I have as good a chance as anyone at keeping them at bay. Hope this is helpful.

[Hidden in reply to MouseLung]

Very useful to know these have helped you, thanks for posting 👍

[Jandm in reply to MouseLung]

Very interesting thread. I always considered my diet to be pretty good, but like you, I have severe asthma and bronchiectasis. As a result, I’ve been on daily antibiotics for 10 years and more steroids than I dare to think about. My biggest fear is if I catch a cold never mind covid, then my airway will completely give way as I have severe TBM which will result in respiratory failure or I will end up on a permanent cpap to keep my trachea open. Anything that will help fight off an infection needs looking at. It looks like a day of research, great advice MouseLung 😃

[Kristicats]

It is a respiratory virus so would be dangerous for anyone with any lung condition. I’m thinking that most of the fatalities could have been people with either lung & heart disease.(& immunosuppressive)

P.s I’m wondering ... should we come down with an infection will we be asked to send a sputum sample? amidst all the chaos at Gp surgeries and hospitals.

Will 111 or our Gp assume it’s Covid19

and insist you wait 14 days?

Will it make any difference if you say you have bronchiectasis ( emph, etc)?

It’s going to be difficult enough for us to know if we have a flare up / chest infection or whether it could be the much more serious Covid19.

Worrying times.

Please take care and take the sensible advice re not putting yourself at risk.

[LizzieWizz in reply to Kristicats]

I’m in this position at the moment Chriskho. My husband was unwell the last 8-10 days (coughing last three) and now I appear to have it. Can’t tell if my normal infection/exacerbation which is due or something nastier. My consultant is due to call me this week so hopefully I’ll get some advice. We were working on the basis of giving a sample this time around (normally rescue pack by self) as I’ve just gone onto Azithromycin. Not sure how it all works right now. I’ll update you as soon as I know. My chest feels quite odd though - wonder if anyone else that has had Covid can let me know if they found that. May obviously just be a standard virus though. Chest feels very heavy, like when you haven’t done your clearance work, and tight but somehow different than normal. No temp though.

[Dilly2]

Your chances of survival are not very good

that's just for being old but with your health survival is nil so stay safe and follow guide lines and stay in doors best wishes

[MouseLung]

I'm not old, I'm 46.