Asthma and Bronchiectasis

[Tiggytiger88]

Don't often write on here but have just read the advice that Littlepom has written in answer to Julia's question. I didn't realise there are specialists in bronch and don't know if my consultant is one. I had a weeks antibiotics a fortnight ago and now symptoms seem to be returning. Have also coughed up a bit of blood yesterday is this a syptom of bronchiectasis. I have had a productive cough. Will ring my resp team tomorrow to see what they say. Thank you LittlePom for your advice and knowledge

[sassy59]

Wishing you good treatment Tiggytiger88. Hope you get the help you need. Xxx

[Tiggytiger88 in reply to sassy59]

Thankyou

[Hidden]

Hello Tiggytiger. It is impossible to diagnose bronch by symptoms alone because every patient is different and some symptoms are similar to other lung conditions. Bronch can only be properly diagnosed by ct scan. I'm afraid that many GPs take the easy way by referring to general respiratory teams. Unfortunately the expertise on bronch within these teams is woeful unless one is lucky enough to be be referred to a team which has a bronch specialist. More usually, it is a case of finding the specialist oneself and insisting on a referral.Too many GPs, general respiratory consultants and respiratory nurses are reluctant to admit that they don't know how to treat it. If I had a pound for every battle I have had! Including with the head of respiratory at my local hosputal where I was unfortunate enough to cross swords with them in June after a cardiac consultant gave me a pneumothorax whilst inserting a pacemaker.

[Hidden]

Just to add that if you do have bronch, whoever gave you one week of antibiotics evidently does not know how to treat you. They may just as well have given you a packet of smarties. Bronch requires 14 days of oral antibiotics of the right type and large enough dose to do any good. You can find this in the guidelines for treating bronchiectasis. They are easy to find on the internet. I do hope that you manage to source the right consultant and treatment.

[Tiggytiger88 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much for your info. I had a CT scan 10 years ago and bronch was diagnosed but I now seem to be treated for asthma alone which I don’t think I have anyway. Frustrating to say the least. I have had Rheumatoid Arthritis for 40 odd years and this has caused my lung problem. I shall look on internet and badger my respiratory team for more information

[Hidden in reply to Tiggytiger88]

Yes. I'm afraid that we do have to be proactive and vociferous in sourcing the right treatment for bronch. It is a disgrace that you had a ct diagnosis 10 yrs ago and are still not under the care of a bronch specialist. This is more so because it is well known that bronch can develop due to RA. Having asthma makes your situation even more complicated.Don't bother with asking the respiratory team. Their record so far shows that they obviously don't have sufficient knowledge of bronch and are too complacent. One week of antibiotics is a joke. You are 10 years behind having the care of someone who knows the complexities of the condition and is knowlegable in the developing different antibiotic treatments and delivery systems. As we progress this is so important to hold back deterioration and give us a good quality of life. Your GP needs their advice and you need access to your consultant's knowledge through their secretary. Find your own bronch specialist. Look at big teaching hospitals.Take the name to your GP and insist on a referral. Good luck.

[Izb1 in reply to Tiggytiger88]

I am interested to know if it was the r.a. that caused the bronch or the medication for r.a. I too suffer both of these problems and have been asking this questions for years x

[Tiggytiger88 in reply to Izb1]

I tend to blame the RA because if I get a flare up I find the bronch worsens suppose it could be the inflammation in my body. I have been on Methotrexate 25mg for years but my specialist rules that out to be the cause.

[Izb1 in reply to Tiggytiger88]

When having a flare up my inflammation shoots up and my bronch is always bad when i get inflammation. I think the rheumy doctors would never admit it could be the meds that cause bronch , but I never get an answer on this from them x

[Tiggytiger88 in reply to Izb1]

No I don’t get an answer either I suppose they need to keep our RA under control so would never admit it could be the drugs. We will never knowHope you are well at the moment

[Izb1 in reply to Tiggytiger88]

Yes I am well at the moment thank you. Wish you well in your search for a specialist in bronch x

[Alberta56]

To be fair the consultant who diagnosed me, who spent a lot of her time treating lung cancer patients, was sufficiently well versed in bronchiectasis to give me the correct treatment, and to pass me on to the respiratory team, who also knew what they were doing. Perhaps we in Essex are lucky, once (big once) we've got in the system.

[Tiggytiger88 in reply to Alberta56]

I am in Essex at a teaching hospital so obviously I need to dig deeper don’t IThanks for replying

[Alberta56 in reply to Tiggytiger88]

I was referred to Broomfield, not a teaching hospital, but they seemed to do all the right procedures. The downside was that it took months to get a referral.

[Hidden in reply to Alberta56]

Yes, very lucky! I'm pleased for you.

[Alberta56 in reply to Hidden]

I wish everyone could meet a general consultant who was so on the ball.

[Hidden in reply to Alberta56]

Yes wouldn’t it make a marvellous difference to so many who are simply left in the hands of those who don’t know what they are doing.

[Hidden]

Couldn't agree more with all these comments. Initially I was up against an ignorant and intransigent GP, followed by general respiratory physician for whom a diagnosis of bronchiectasis didn't seem to cross her mind. It required enormous effort on my part to get diagnosed and then referred to the right department. Thank goodness for a brilliant bronchiectasis and cystic fibrosis team ; and now a helpful and compliant GP.