Newly joined Group - totally frustrated with my Bronchiectasis..
Lung fluid high, takes an hour each morning to get rid of most of it and often same in evening night - tiredness also - just frustrated with it all and COVID-19 shutdown with hospitals/GPS makes adds to frustration of trying to get back to some form more normal life...
Hello Kiwib,
I know the fed up feeling you are going through having damaged both my lungs with this horrible thing! So sorry you are feeling like this.
I do agree with 2ndtenor in that gentle exercise (perhaps some chair based Pilates) coupled with drinking lots fluids, eating plenty fresh fruit, resting and try to take your mind off things by doing hobbies you enjoy.
The damp weather doesn't help either!
Do you have a secretary at the hospital you can email or bleep number? My hospital appointment is next week, but will be by phone call.
Take care 🌈
I do feel for you. I might be in a similar position. 3 x 45 minute sessions each day to clear my lungs. Often it is a struggle to get anything moving at all, then at other times, after 25 minutes it's a tickling sensation in the left lung followed by wheezing. Then it all kicks in. It seems to go on and on. I think I could have COPD as well as long standing brochiectasis.
do you take the short acting inhaler eg ventolin 30 minutes before doing the clearance techniques? This certainly helps me.
It's rubbish, yes. Unfortunately the alternative is worse. And this endless COVID is extremely tiring, especially now it's gone from acute reaction to a daily chronic grind of maintaining safety, so on top of daily Bronc maintenance it's draining.
I don't have Bronc but I have endless exercises to do with my dementia eldery mum who does have Bronc. I feel your pain. I do exercises morning and night full exercises and smaller ones throughout the day. Perhaps your consultant can advise. There is a machine that can be used at night apparently (not prescribed for dementia patients my consultant said) so perhaps the consultant can reassess what can help you?
Either way, please persevere. Life has changed but it's still life! I find it easier if I can get a proper night's sleep (as the energy and perseverance needed is greater.)
Thinking of you.
Helen
I've had bronchiectasis for over 30 yrs. I'm 71. Much of those years, I felt sick and very short of breath. I've had more bronchoscopies, ER visits and hospital stays than I can count.
In the past 5 yrs, what was a major health issue is now a minor issue.
Have you tried alternatives to prescribed meds?
Environment - is it allergy and mold free.
I take Tumeric w/pepper every day, tumeric has anti-inflammatory properties. Also, check out Manuta Honey. I'm sure there are others as well.
There are physical lung exercises that don't require you to be on your feet.
Ask your specialist about getting a percussion vest (Hill-Rom). It helps loosen the mucus.
My specialist had some testing on me, and my immune system is lacking something, so I stop by the infusion dept at the hospital every four weeks and get hooked up to an IV for 3 hrs.
Since I retired (less stress)5 yrs ago and moved to an area with better air quality and had my specialist address my asthma, I have felt alot better. I was even able to wean off of presdisone, which I had been on for years.
4 yrs ago, I had a stem cell treatment done. They use your own stem cells. The theory is that the extra cells go to your damaged lungs and repair them. It's still considered research, so the treatment was out of pocket.
Talk to your specialist, if what you are taking now is not working, try other meds. It took me years to find the right combo.
Beth
Feel for you Kiwib, I also have bronch and the rounds of exercise and postural drainage sometimes feels relentless. I do postural drainage three times a day with the best session (most mucus produced!) after I do exercise on the cross trainer after lunch.
I also use an aerobika instead of one of the morning and evening sessions - makes a change and has about the same effect. Take care 
I have found the only thing that clears my lung fluid is by drinking just boiled water every morning and night it works for me
Bronchiectasis flare up 
Fed up
Fed up
Fed up!!
Fed up !!
