Chest infection

[Patsyemily]

I suffer from broncistice and have a chest infection i cant stop coughing day and night can anybody help

[Aingeful]

You probably need to contact your surgery and get proper medical help. With our various lung problems,our health conditions can soon deteriorate.

[teddyd]

It sound like its time to see your GP to get any necessary treatment that is required.

[MoyB]

Yes, I would certainly contact the GP if you haven't done so already. Tell them you need to be seen Face to Face. They'll probably insist on a phone consultation first but if you say you want to see them in person, I think they will now agree (depends on your own surgery I suppose).

Also, have you done a Lateral Flow Test? COVID hasn't gone away yet and now it presents more like a cold or mild chest infection in a lot of people, so if you haven't done a test, it may be worth doing it before speaking to the surgery.

Do you have a Rescue Pack of antibiotics to keep at home? If you can't get an appointment, you could perhaps start your antibiotics and inform the surgery that you have done so.

Some people find that inhaling steam helps calm the irritation - others find it makes it worse! You could try it and see if it works for you.

Otherwise, make sure you drink enough water to stay hydrated - it also helps loosen the mucous, I believe, - and rest.

Hope you feel better soon.

xx Moy

PS Remember to contact your GP asap - don't let it go on too long!

[Patsyemily]

Been to drs yesterday put me on anti biotics probably wobt kick in yet. Did a covid test negative

[Patsyemily]

They wont give me rescue pack because they told me only for people with copd

[peege in reply to Patsyemily]

That's wrong! What a cheek grrrr

If you in the UK with bronchiectasis under the NICE guidelines you're entitled to: 1. a rescue pack of a good antibiotic for two weeks (not amoxicillin) on your regular prescription,

2. to have a referral to a hospital consultant (preferably one who specialises in bronch),

3. Sputum tests for when signs of infection.

There might be a 4 but I cant remember.

You most definitely need a GP to listen to your chest (if they've only given 7 days of abs it probably isn't enough).

Many GPs have little experience of bronchiectasis and receptionists aren't qualified to know what it is , they probably hear bronch...... and guess bronchitis. Make sure when you call tell them you "have bronchiectasis which is a serious lung disease"

[Izb1 in reply to peege]

My surgery have changed the rules on rescue packs and will only issue them for severe copd patients. Luckily for me the pharmacist issued a week for me which I have had to start but had a bit of a fight getting a second week from him, he didnt agree that bronch sufferers should have 2 weeks and said I should phone back after the week but am going on holiday on Saturday so reluctantly issued them. It has become a bit of a fight to get anything done at my sugery now , no matter what the nice guidelines are x

[Hidden in reply to Izb1]

Get in touch with the practice manager by email or letter and tell them that GP is failing in their duty of care by refusing to abide by the guidelines for bronch and you are going to begin the complaint process. It concentrates their minds and they are legally obliged to reply to you. Also call your consultants secretary. Tell them that the GP is refusing proper treatment and ask for the consultant to contact the GP to ensure that you get it. You don't have to put up with this nonsense! We pay these idiots' extortionate salaries!

[Lol1944 in reply to Hidden]

Agree1000%

[Izb1 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for the advice LP. My consultant discharged me quite some time ago saying there was nothing more he could do for me. My gp is still on mat leave and the doctor I have been put under is so offhand and abrupt I just hate dealing with him. I know I have to get a grip of things but have been so unwell I just dont feel like I have the strength for the fight. When I come back from holiday I need to get a referral first to deal with this problem I am having with my eye, ear and i have a few hospital appointments. I can then deal with this. You are so right in what you say and i think the first call must be with the practice manager x

[Hidden in reply to Izb1]

The consultant who discharged saying they could do no more for you was an idiot obviously not a bronch specialist and trying to save face. You really do need yo get yourself a bronch expert for ongoing care because this cpndition chamges all the time. I really sympathise with you having so much to deal with. Tomorrow I am seeing an eye specialist and have just had a ct and full spirometry for my bronch con to find out if the pneumothorax they gave me putting a pacemaker in has done permanent damage. I can't see my GP because he is the best friend of the cardiologist who nearly killed me.. Sometimes it is all too much isn't it.

[Izb1 in reply to Hidden]

Oh my word that is a difficult position for you to be in, I sympathise with you. And yes I really do need to get organised and am hoping this little break will get me back on my feet to take it all on. Do take good care x

[Milandra17 in reply to peege]

I think Patsy may have meant she's got bronchitis but yes, I have a rescue pack with bronchiectasis

[Dominos7 in reply to peege]

Whats wrong with amoxycillian?

[YummyBear in reply to Patsyemily]

Interesting! I was diagnosed 18 months ago with mild bronchiectasis and I have rescue packs of Amoxicillin as a standby, in the event of flare-ups. As I understand it, it is standard practice set by NICE Guidelines.

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

Please contact your GP surgery and they be will give the advice y poo u need Hope you feel better soon have a lovely day and take care 😊 Bernadette and Jack 🐕 xxxxxx 🌻🌻

[Patsyemily in reply to Damon1864]

No i meant bronchiectases

[Patsyemily]

Thank you on anti biotics but only a day but just this hacking cough xx

[Patk1]

I usually stop azithromycin when on other antibioticsHave u got 14 days a/b?

I do extra lung clearance whn unwell and use nebuliser more.

I find gargling gently,as far back as I can helps stop the coughing

[B0xermad in reply to Patk1]

Hi I usually take both antibiotics together as can't seem to get a break from azithromycin without it being a chance to let the bugs in and pneumonia

[Patsyemily]

My gp gives me 7 Days of co-amoxiclav I do ask for 14 days but he never does that I do do clearance and I'm also using a machine which is called an arabica but this infection is the worst i have had

[Hidden in reply to Patsyemily]

Oh my goodness these GPs make me want to stick pins in my eyes. They are so ignorant and lazy when it comes to bronch. Please do point your GP to the guidelines for bronchiectasis. 14 days of abs in a high enough dose is mandatory for bronch. 7 is as useless as taking smarties. If they have not had your sputum tested they do not know if co-amoxyclav is any good for the current infection. It has been useless for me for years.

Your GP is obviously way out of their depth with treating bronch and needs to be told what to do by a bronch specialist. If you do not have one look for one in your area. They are usually at big teaching hospitals. Take the name to your GP and insist on a referral. Do Not Take No For An Answer. This is so important. Every infection that you get which is insufficiently treated leads to further lung damage and worsening of the bronch. We really do have to be very pro active in our own interests and vociferous in accessing the right treatment.

I do wonder how many more thousands of times I have to repeat this to poor bronchs who are being neglected by their GPs

[Patk1 in reply to Patsyemily]

Ring n request another courses ' as infection hasnt cleared'.I'd be requesting specialist appointment too as theyll instruct gp.hope u soon feel bit better x

[Patsyemily]

I have a consultant but my next attp a telephone call. How can he examine my chest. Going to ask him to tell gp 14 days please

[Hidden in reply to Patsyemily]

Why don't you call the consultant's secretary and tell her that you are in trouble and can con fit you in or contact your GP re antibiotic and dose.. They are usually used to this sort of thing and are very helpful

[Patk1 in reply to Patsyemily]

I'd make list,bullet points,for whn he rings..starting with" instruct gp re 14days a/b + rescue pack at home"Just a tip that helps me - tspn of clear honey is good for coating yr throat whn coughing a lot x

[Patsyemily in reply to Patk1]

Thanks about tip about honey

[Patsyemily]

Yes will do that

[B0xermad]

Hi definitely will take a few days to kick in the antibiotics and people with bronchiectasis need rescue pack more than anything to keep mucus turning nasty .hope your feeling better soon

[Patsyemily]

Thank you

[Lfcpremier]

Agree.. 14days antib iotic course. Also try to put a sputum sample in before you start antibis when it happens again.When you complete the course also need to put sputum sample in to check it's gone.

Do yo take carbocisteine 2x2 to loosen mucus & /or nebuliser saline?Hope you feel better soon. X

[Patsyemily]

Yesvi take carbisten also i use a aerobika

[Patf1]

All great advice. I do hope that you get well soon

[Izb1]

Hope your antibiotics are kicking in now Patsyemily, if you still have problems after the 7 days make sure you go back to the doctor and get a second week. I dont know why some doctors wont give us bronchs 2 weeks initially as we usually need it x

[Hidden in reply to Izb1]

Because they are lazy, ignorant and not trained in bronch.

[Patsyemily]

Tajen longer than usual but getting there just the coughibg

[Tinker26]

Yes always have 2 types of antibiotics Co amixiclav or clarithomycin as rescue packs as intolerant to cipro your doctors sound incompetent so keep pushing

[locheil]

Just listen to littlepom l promise you he is a great ally and by the way it would not surprise me ifyour Doctor in denying you medication is not committing a criminal offence.

[helenlw7]

I think you need to see a dr. Do you have a lot of chest infections? I was getting them every few weeks until 2017, when my consultant put me on azithromycin as a prophylactic I’ve only had 1 since then, and that was the first summer, when my consultant said to take a break for the summer because’nobody gets chest infections in the summer!’

[Cally53]

I have recently been diagnosed with Bronchiectasis. The instructions to my GP from my consultant is , any exacerbation will require 2 weeks of antibiotics and a sputum test. I certainly wouldn't be happy if they didn't follow that instruction.

[Patsyemily in reply to Cally53]

I will tell my consultant to let my gp know

[Patk1]

Howre u now Patsyemilyx

[Patsyemily in reply to Patk1]

Begining to feel better this infection has knocked me for 6th. Finish my pills monday morning so hopefully on the mend thank you