Bronchiectasis In The Cold Weather

[TG58]

Good afternoon all

I am just wondering how everyone here who has Bronchiectasis copes with the cold weather.

I have been trying to get out for regular walks, whilst I am shielding, I have to get out as I am a postman, and if I don't walk regularly at least every other day, I know I will have trouble when I get back to work in February, unless lockdown is extended which I doubt very much now. Anyway I have noticed recently when I go out, in this cold weather, when I get back my lungs are burning, and I feel very cold in the house, it sounds weird I know, but when I am out I am pretty much ok, I wrap up warm enough, but it's when I get home the problem starts, yesterday was a particularly bad day, as I felt rubbish all last night, turned the heating right up and still felt really cold for about an hour and a half , I also suffer from bad acid reflux, and was recently diagnosed with a Hiatus hernia, which obviously isn't helping the acid situation, as that's also going into my lungs.

So I am just wondering if anyone else here as anything similar, and how/if you treat it ok, I must admit, this is the first winter I have had since being diagnosed with Bronchiectasis in late march 2020, and it's a bit of a worry now, if this is how it is going to be going forward, thinking more so of my job in the winter

[Hidden]

I have both bronchiectasis and emphysema and I've not wanted to go out in the cold or damp weather except very briefly. What I have noticed this year is a lot of catarrh in the throat on and off.

Personally I don't think cold or damp weather is good for the lungs and it may be you are getting a delayed reaction, I would pay attention to what your body is communicating to you.

I hope you will get things more stabilised soon.

I am retired so I won't ever be working outside in cold and damp weather but it must very difficult if you are having to manage that. Perhaps think about tweaking your employment options.

If you find things getting worse don't hesitate to make contact with your doctor.

[TG58 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the reply, I think I may have to think about my employment options, I will hopefully dropping to 4 days a week when I go back, but I doubt that will be enough in this weather, as I said it's my first winter since being diagnosed, so it's all fairly new, the problem has been there since I've been recently going for walks, but yesterday was particularly bad, it normally does pass after an hour or so, but my lungs were burning all last night and is pretty dismal this afternoon too, I'm guessing the acid is exacerbating it as well though 🙄

[Hidden in reply to TG58]

I do get burning in the lungs if they are inflamed and sometimes just because the temperature is too cold, I always associate that with emphysema and sometimes lung infection. Usually though if its a lung infection, it will also affect your walking ability.I find keeping even temperature inside the home helps for a happier lung and also heating on through the night at around 18 and 17C through the cold winter months.

Hope you have something for the acid reflux. that is something to keep in control as well. That will cause burning in the throat.

Take good care

[TG58 in reply to Hidden]

Yes I take esomeprazole for the acid, and gaviscon, I may just be having an attack of that, as it seems to happen quite frequently just lately, particularly more since the hiatus hernia, I'm waiting for a hospital appointment regarding that, but as we all know covid is holding everything up, it's hard trying to be patient, although having said that, I'm not keen on visiting any hospital the moment.

[Hidden in reply to TG58]

Yes difficult times for us all, but will be good to have the hiatus hernia checked. I do wonder if reflux goes with a hiatus hernia. I have a sliding one but its not troubling me currently.

Stay as well as possible.

[TG58 in reply to Hidden]

Yes apparently Hiatus hernia, does go with the acid reflux, as because it's higher it push's against your oesophagus tube, and sends acid into it, in my case it's also sending it into my lungs, I have been told by 2 respiratory nurses that the reflux was probably the cause of my Bronchiectasis, as I've been on medication for reflux for about 20 years on and off (more on) I was quite shocked when I was diagnosed with Bronchiectasis last year, as I've always had a fairly decent healthy lifestyle, never smoked, and don't drink that much, even less now, still I guess you just never know what's around the corner, and we have to try and stay as well as we can, particularly in these very trying times.

[Hidden in reply to TG58]

oh wow that's awful reflux going into the lungs, I can imagine your were shocked, although I don't think Bronchiectasis is caused by smoking, my diagnosis came about as a result of a lung infection that didn't respond to ABs or steroids and then developed into pneumonia. You're right though you never know what's round the corner. But hopefully nothing more to add on now for us. Best wishes

[Greenfingers20 in reply to TG58]

Ive had the same shock of Bronch-have hiatus hernia. When diagnosed with HH they didn't warn of possible outcomes!

[Greenfingers20 in reply to TG58]

Hi I have a hiatus hernia so avoid acid foods and drinks. I've found drops for post nasal drip-Im sinus prone-from my GP help as its not constantly trickling down my throat. Fluticasone propionate-Nasofan. Also at night Pirinatural breathe clean from chemist to clean nostrils.

Ive also found Sore throat lozenges Strepsils or Tesco soothe things especially at night to stop coughing.

Wear a scarf tube pulled up over your mouth. Keeps air warmer.

Hope this helps.

[peege]

Perhaps you have a temprature, could that be possible. I have to cover my nose and mouth when going out in the cold. It really helps

[TG58 in reply to peege]

No don't seem to have a temperature, feel tired though, but I always seem to feel tired this time of day 😕

[Greenfingers20 in reply to TG58]

I get cold too. But find if I get up and do house chores or short walk I feel better. Might be low blood pressure when sitting too long

[Hidden]

We bronchs are all different and that is what makes it so difficult to treat. I am 70 and a lifetime bronch. I have absolutely no problem with cold air in the winter. I quite like it. In fact natural environmental factors really don’t bother me. Smoke and diesel fumes are my nemesis. I have never experienced feeling cold when I have been outside but I do get it if I am stoking up an exacerbation and can find myself sitting by a radiator trying to get warm.

Maybe taking your temp when you get in might tell you something. Could it be that your body temperature has dropped whilst you have been out and is struggling to come back up when you stop the walking that you have been doing.

Of course, you are going to need to keep an eye on it and decide what is best for you to do. I’m sorry that I can’t be of more help but that is the nature of the beast.

[Alberta56]

If I were you, which obviously I'm not, I would exercise indoors for the moment and pray for warmer weather. Could you talk to your bosses about an indoor job?

[Izb1]

I find my chest is worse if the heating is on full for a long time as the air gets dried out. I would prefer to get the house warm then turn it off and wrap up warm. I have humidifiers hung on the radiators that I add oils to that helps with breathing x

[Schmu]

I unfortunately have bronchiectasis, live in the US, and work in the freezer section of a grocery store. (Its unfortunate bc if I lived in the UK I wouldn't have to work and be exposed right now!)The cold does not bother my lungs so maybe it is the acid reflux.

Good luck!

[TG58 in reply to Schmu]

Yes thanks, I think you are right, their is no doubt the acid reflux is playing a part in this, probably a big part.

[Ergendl]

Even as a non bronch (I have COPD), sometimes during the winter after my daily walk where I felt warm, back home I feel really cold and struggle to warm up for hours. Huddling by a good fire or stove, cradling a radiator, or wearing a hot water bottle like a baby bump, all seem to help.

[TG58 in reply to Ergendl]

Yes that's pretty much what I relate too, it's strange really because I have worked outside most of my working life in one field or another, and never really suffered from the cold, never had to wear hats to keep warm, but I guess it's the condition. Coming home after a walk now, and having to put extra layers on in the house to keep warm, is very foreign to me.

[Snackjack]

I have severe breathing problems when the weather is cold or damp so as I am retired I try to avoid going out when it is really cold. Could you change your employment for an inside job? If you haven't already try discussing it with your doctor. I really do hope that you can get some help to solve the problem for you.

[TG58 in reply to Snackjack]

I doubt I could change my employment at my age, and particularly in the current climate, which no doubt will be worse once furlough has finished. I go back in 3 week's and I'm hoping to cut my days to 4 instead of 5, Royal mail are making changes in the near future, so if I'm lucky I may get a job just delivery driving as opposed to a walking postman, so fingers crossed 🙂