broncoscopy

[min-min]

hI everyone.i am new here and I want to talk about broncoscopy procedures.i am about to have one next week.i had ebus last year but was unableto tolerate it.i desperatelyneed to know what's going on so have decided to brave it out and ho for it.i would be interested in others experiences of this procedure.thanks for listening

[Caspiana]

Hello Min. Were you sedated? What was the issue exactly? xx

[min-min in reply to Caspiana]

hI caspiana, nice to speak to you. I was sedated or was I because as the sedation was injected a lot of it squited out. The issue is I have had a cough now for over 3 years. We used to live in Spain but now back in Liverpool. Doctors told me coming back to a colder country my airways will be restricted. Eventually after some xrays the gp rang me and said my xrays shows I have cancer. I didn't let this alarm me at the time because my stepdaughter had been told she had lung cancer and she was devastated and couldn't speak to anyone. Hers is sarcoidosis. I ended up having a ct scan then a full body scan an mri a camera up (colonoscopy) and the broncoscopy which I balked and coughed all the through. The lady that was doing the procedure told me it was my emphysema that was making me cough. Earlier that day I had seen a consultant who said to me that we can't say it is cancer and we can't say it's not. Anyway they had to stop the broncoscopy when it felt like water was coming out my nose my eyes and my ears. (,just felt like) next time I saw the specialist I asked about the emphysema and she said yes I have it and there's evidence of copd. I'm on inhalers and carbocystine but I'm still coughing not as much though and still breathless and that's why I've decided to brave it out and get it done because now and then I am bringing spots of blood. Sorry I seem to have gone on. Are you OK x

[Caspiana in reply to min-min]

Hello again. 🙂 My goodness. You have been through an awful lot. Has there been no formal diagnosis from a doctor? Who is "the lady" who said you have emphysema? Have you had a spirometry test? So at this point do they still not have a firm cancer diagnosis? What made them come to the conclusion that it might be cancer? Was there a shadow on your lung? And when is your follow up x-ray? Of course the best thing is to try to do the endoscopy. Like Kate said, you can have trouble one day with it and be okay the next time. I would say talk to the hospital about it explaining what happened last time. Three years is a long time to be coughing without knowing the reason. Did they test your blood oxygen?

Sorry for loads of questions. I am okay thanks. Sending warm wishes,

Cas xx 🙋‍♀️🐕



[Katinka46]

I can’t really help with your query as I have not had a bronchoscopy. I have just picked up on more of your story in your reply to Caspiana. The only thing I can suggest is that sometimes these procedures are very different in how they affect us. I have had five endoscopies and each one was different in the way I was able to cope with it.

All the best

Kate xx

[min-min in reply to Katinka46]

thank you Kate and Caspiana. . . The lady was the person doing the procedure. Do I call her doctor or nurse. And yes I am thinking and hoping things will be different this time. To be honest I don't feel it's cancer, though you can't be sure can you. I have enlarged lymph nodes which have been stable. The family is riddled with cancer in one form or another so it's in the genes. The thing is you never see the same specialist. I've seen four different ones now. I'm to have follow up scan in 3 months. One specialist says he can put me to sleep to do the broncoscopy but as I'm approaching 74 I don't really want an operation. The last specialist told me the mri scan picked up lesions on my spleen but the specialist before that didn't mention it. I am feeling a bit better already having someone to talk to so thanks for listening xc

[1carus]

hi

it should be fine the sedation does relax the airways and you will be quite relaxed so while it can be a bit uncomfortable, usually the worry about it beforehand is worse than the procedure

[min-min in reply to 1carus]

hI carus thanks for listening. Yes the only way to know what's going on is to get it done. Sometimes the wheezing and crackling wakes me up.

[Alberta56]

Hi min-min, The consultant suggested I should have a bronchoscopy when she diagnosed me with bronchiectasis. I was worried sick by the idea of something so invasive sounding and didn't sleep the night before. In the event it was fine. The man doing it was very nice. I was given mild sedation and I didn't feel a thing. I didn't even have a sore nose or throat afterwards. I hope, if you decide to go for it, your experience will be as good. best wishes.

[min-min in reply to Alberta56]

hI alberta. I'm defo going for it but no denying I'm anxious. I'm just going to try and relax an do some visualisation

[Alberta56]

I think it's good that you're going for it. It certainly picked up the nasty little bug that was lurking in my lungs, so I hope it will definitely show just what is the matter with yours. xxx

[min-min in reply to Alberta56]

yes I hope so. I'm just so exhausted with the constant coughing. Have you got rid of the nasty bug. What was it if you don't mind me asking

[Keep-positive in reply to Alberta56]

HI Alberta, does a sputum test not always work in detecting bugs ???

[Alberta56 in reply to Keep-positive]

I don't know as much about this as some folk here, but my understanding is that some bugs manage to lie low and are not picked up first time. I know I needed a second test once to show I had haemophilus lurking. Also some sputum samples need a fortnight or so being cultivated in the laboratory before there are enough nasties for the test to pick up. I hope that helps and is accurate.

[Keep-positive in reply to Alberta56]

Thankyou for that Alberta , just shows us, our sputum samples results could be in fact positive for bacteria when we are in fact infected.

Take care !!!

[min-min in reply to Alberta56]

i had a sputom test a d it just showed an infection

[Alberta56 in reply to min-min]

That's good. Have they given you a suitable antibiotic to zap it?

[min-min in reply to Alberta56]

yeh I'm over that now. I've had 3 chest infections this year

[jacic64]

Hi min-min,

I had a colonoscopy, endoscopy & bronchoscopy within the last year. To be honest I was really dreading the bronchoscopy after having the endoscopy. Same as you I was gagging & balking but I didn't have sedation just the spray anaesthetic up my nose & down my throat. I had a bad reaction to the spray up my nose. When I went for the bronchoscopy I was dreading it but the nurses & doctors were amazing. I had a mild anaesthetic & the camera down my throat. The only part I remember was coughing a little when my larynx was sprayed with anaesthetic. It really was the best out of any of the procedures & I'm not in the least worried about the next bronchoscopy in the New year.

I hope your procedure goes well & try not to worry too much about it...I know that's easier said than done. If it goes anything like mine which I hope it does, you will be fine. Thinking of you

[min-min in reply to jacic64]

thank you so

[min-min in reply to jacic64]

sorry jacic. Had a coughing fit and didn't know how to get back yo my conversation. Thank you for the reassurance. Are you OK now

[min-min in reply to jacic64]

thank you so much I will think of all your positive replies while I'm there. I'm sure it will help me

[jacic64]

Aaahh the dreaded coughing fit, I feel for you on that too! I'm plodding along at the moment, I have severe emphysema and chronic bronchitis, I had the bronchoscopy to check whether I was eligible for zephyr valves instead of a lobectomy. I have air leaking between the lobes of my lungs so unfortunately the zephyr valves weren't possible. I had a screening test day at a different hospital for the AeriSeal system to fix the leaks but couldn't have that due to the chronic bronchitis. I think we're going full circle to having a lobectomy maybe next year. My latest perfusion scan showed the emphysema was now visible through all lobes of my lungs which is why I will have another bronchoscopy to confirm.

Let us know how you get on with your bronchoscopy please. If it's anything like mine you will be fine xxx

[min-min in reply to jacic64]

oh so sorry. I don't know if my emphysema is mild or not. I'll have to ask. I didn't realise it can get so bad. Your condition seems quite serious. When you have a coughing fit does it make you vomit. It does for me sometimes and it's horrible. I go into panic mode thinking I'm going to choke and there's no one here to help me. How do you cope. I feel for you. I can't say hope you get better as this thing just doesn't get better does it. It's nice having someone to share experiences with. You don't feel so alone with it. Best wishes to you

[jacic64 in reply to min-min]

I didn't realise emphysema could get so bad either to be honest so I was a bit shocked with the results. I had my perfusion scans a few months apart so it really was quick. I'm hoping that it's a mistake & just the bronchitis. I still have horrible coughing fits but not as bad as they used to be. Same as you I used to cough until I vomited, it's horrible isn't it. I think my different medication & inhaler are helping with the mucus so I can actually cough it up easily most of the time. I've recently started long term antibiotics so hopefully they will be ok & I can stay on them. They can cause interactions with other medications so I have to have a blood test soon.

Hopefully you can find something that helps with the coughing, it's exhausting bless you.

[Alberta56 in reply to jacic64]

Best wishes, you brave person xxx

[welshie1234]

Hi Min Min. I live in Wales UK and have had 4 Bronchoscopy's. Each time I've had enough sedation to be not aware of what is happening. It does produce results so worth going through with it. Each time I have the procedure, I wonder why I worry as it really is painless.

[min-min in reply to welshie1234]

hI Welshie. Omg you've had 4 !! My main worry is the contsant coughing through it all. I hope I get enough sedation. I've asked for a double dose ha ha. Don't think they'll give it me though do you

[casey16gatsby in reply to welshie1234]

Thanks welshie -I'm from the US ,but I've had at least 7 bronchoscopy's -- most of them post Double Lung Transplant. I like you have been sedated enough I have no recollection of the procedure. After 3 of them I had 'small ' blood discharges afterwards, but not an issue. For me it was a total non-issue. Coughing caused the blood discharge, but that ceased after a day or two.

All the Best,

JCL

[min-min in reply to casey16gatsby]

hI casey you've been through a lot. 7 times now that's what I call brave.

[casey16gatsby in reply to min-min]

Thanks -- actually I got so used to them it didn't cause me to lose any sleep. Now I've been told I don't need one for quite sometime -- which is good.

[min-min in reply to casey16gatsby]

that is good news for you case. Hope you don't have to have many more

[welshie1234]

That is why I went for Bronc, I developed a cough. I think the sedation will ease the coughing. Speak to the Dr doing the procedure and explain. My Dr didn' t seem to worry at all about my cough. I imagine lots of people going for this procedure have some sort of cough.

[Alfiebax2]

hI min min

I have had several broncospopies all with sedation I've even had my lungs washed out ,never felt a thing . I've also had LVRS on my left lung 4 years ago . I have severe emphysema and bronchiectasis. That operation certainly leaves you with a bad cough but it does go after about 3 months . You certainly have been through it and I hope they can get to the bottom of your problems ,give you a definite diagnosis then you know where you stand and can plan your next course of treatment . I wish you good luck I'm sure you will be fine .

[min-min in reply to Alfiebax2]

thank you alfiebax its reassuring. What is a LVRS

[Alfiebax2]

it is Lung Volume Reduction Surgery . I had the top of my left lung removed to get rid of the emphysema. It's done very well and has inflated well . It's my other lung now giving me problems . I have a cavity in my right lung with a mycetoma in the cavity ( fungus ball of mould ) and unfortunately they can't operate on that lung . I'm now on oxygen 16 hours a day ,I have to sleep with it , I also have bottles of oxygen when I go out . I feel this is down to my right lung 🫁 . I was doing really well after my op but I've moved somewhere much colder and it doesn't agree with my condition . Take care

[min-min in reply to Alfiebax2]

oh my, such a lot to cope with. What can i say but keep on keeping on and I hope you have more good days than bad

[katieoxo60]

Hello min-min, just to give you a ray of hope, I was in your position in2008 I was never cleared of cancer to spite numerous tests and broncoscopes, since then I have been on three inhalers ,still have a cough , and to my knowledge still have a fibros area on my lung. But to spite all until recently I have led a reasonably active live if somewhat slower than others. My main concern is if matters like constant coughs are not investigated for diagnosis then some more serious illness may go undetected. Please steel yourself and go for all the tests even if it only rules out the likely serious illness. Accept any help they can give for tests like being put to sleep so you don't suffer the trauma of the tests or reactive cough. I appreciate the worry of cancer due to family, I have had skin cancer in the past before the persistant cough so felt that way too just like you. Every best wish for a speedy , professional diagnosis and treatment.

[min-min in reply to katieoxo60]

thank you Katie. This boat we're all in is mighty big. You all seem to have found your own ways of coping and I suppose I'll find mine. Thanks everyone for your reassurances and support. You've all made me feel a lot better about the upcoming procedure. you all x

[katieoxo60 in reply to min-min]

you are welcome hope to speak again soon. Good luck

[silver_rabbit]

I've had one and really I don't even remember it. They gave me something to relax me and whatever it was I don't remember anything about the actual procedure

[min-min in reply to silver_rabbit]

ive asked for double dose ha ha. Hope I don't remember. I was traumatised last time

[eleanordigby in reply to min-min]

I think you should stress what happened last time & say you’re only having it done if properly sedated. It sounds as if something went wrong with that last time, you maybe didn’t get full dose. Also one size doesn’t fit all, some people are more resistant to sedation than others, I’m like that too. If you don’t feel sedated at the time, be strong and tell them!

[min-min in reply to eleanordigby]

yes I will. Thanks. I defo didn't get the full dose. If it happens again I will tell them to top it up

[pickingflowers4u]

hi min-min.

I've had 2 bronchoscopies. During the first I continuously coughed. However I coughed much less during the second. I believe the coughing is a natural response to the invasion of a foreign object in the lung. Also the amount of coughing I think is dependent on hoe much apathetic is suirted by the endoscopic. Each surgeon/Consultant differs slightly in methodology. I won't lie, endoscopic aren't nice. But there is usually an option of anaesthetic. I chose to remain awake and fully conscious. They will usually put saline injections down to wash out the lung and the 'wadhings' are normally collected and sent to the lab along with biopsies they take where necessary. My bronchoscopies took nearly an hour. Wishing you all the best.

[min-min in reply to pickingflowers4u]

thanks. It was when I felt that wash I felt as if fluid came out my eyes nose ears and mouth. They had to stop the procedure

[Spanielblue]

I do suffer with extreme anxiety so can remember being terribly nervous before I had my broncoscopy. I was shown to a bed and somebody came around to get me to sign a consent form. After that a nurse attached a cannula to my arm and after a little while I was wheeled into a small theatre. I can remember talking to the consultant who was going to perform the procedure but then nothing. I woke up on the bed where I started from and couldn't remember anything about the broncoscopy I had just had. My result showed I had a nasty bug in the corner of my left lung. I hope your experience is similar to mine because, looking back, it was nothing to be scared about. Sending you my best wishes.

[min-min in reply to Spanielblue]

thank you and I hope I fall asleep like you did. Everyone has been so reassuring that I feel less anxious about it. I am still coughing but nowhere near as much as I was when I first had it done so maybe it will be easier

[pickingflowers4u in reply to min-min]

Just to make you aware you are usually given an option on having sedation. If you choose sedation it is usually not full sedation therefore you don't go to sleep as such. It's a drug that blocks out the memory. I believe it is similar to what's commonly known as 'the date rape drug.' You are able to respond to instruction but will have no recollection of the procedure. I can't recall the medical name. I suspect it's not as risky as full sedation.

[min-min in reply to pickingflowers4u]

thanks I do feel a lot more reassured by all the kind comments. I remembered every minute of the last one. I was traumatised for months. I promise I will be brave. If all you lovely people can do so can I.

[Aimarider]

I had a couple, and my lungs felt clearer afterwards. I felt like some of the second hand smoke 💨 from my childhood was washed out. I was sedated during the procedure . Wishing you well

[min-min in reply to Aimarider]

thank you. I used to smoke up to 30 a day but packed up 25 years ago. Obviously the damage was already done. Wishing you well

[Digger0]

I have not had a bronchoscopy but if you are having it at the Liverpool Heart and Chest they are lovely there. No A&E so no rushing etc!

[min-min in reply to Digger0]

hI I am having it done at aintree hospital thanks

[lana59]

Hi, min-min. Six months ago I too had a bronchoscopy and had a similar experience to you. I was under-sedated having been promised plenty and I was drowning in local anaestetic because they had not screwed the spray bottle together properly - I had to be aspirated! From previous gastroscopies the sedation was brilliant, still awake but no memory of it. That drug was MIDAZOLAM. You do have to make sure that you ask for plenty in advance as I was told halfway through my broncospopy that they couldn't top it up. Not sure how true that is. I understand your fear of being "out" as It frightens me too. The above-named drug should make it a less unpleasant experience for you, if indeed you remember it all. All the very best and hope you get the answers you need. Lana. x

[min-min in reply to lana59]

thank you so much and I'm sorry you had such a bad experience. What a nightmare for you

[lana59]

Sadly it was. I don't think I was well enough for it but went ahead anyway. Now I know what it feels like to be in the early stages of drowning! I don't think I'll be having another bronc as it won't tell me anything new. I find it extraordinary that the drs don't know if you have cancer. You seem to think not which seems a good positive way to be. All best wishes. Lana.

[eleanordigby in reply to lana59]

I hope min-min doesn’t feel even more frightened by you saying you felt like you were drowning

[lana59 in reply to eleanordigby]

The last thing I would ever intend is to frighten anyone on this website. If you notice I did use an exclamation mark which was meant to show that these things happen and I came through it.

[eleanordigby in reply to lana59]

oh no I’m sure you wouldn’t , of course not, it was just that word drowning which worried me, I’ve not had a bronchoscopy but it’s that feeling which would scare me rigid. But I’m glad min-min isn’t like me! and sorry if I came across as critical, not at all ❤️ Elly

[min-min in reply to eleanordigby]

no we all have to be honest and say what we feel. I think we are all afraid of procedures we've never had and some turn out to better than expected while others take it bad. As I say we are all different. We are what we are and it is what it is. Best wishes to everyone and may all your procedures be good

[min-min in reply to eleanordigby]

hI no lana didn't frighten me. I had a bad experience and that is why I asked on the forum for others experiences. I I know everyone is different and we all don't react the same so I am being positive and I'm grateful for everyone telling me their experiences both good and bad. Thank you all x

[min-min in reply to lana59]

thank you lana. I'm a positive person and take each day as it comes

[lana59]

I would like to apologise if I may have frightened you with my experience with the local anaesthetic, it was the last thing I intended. Someone was concerned that this may upset you. As someone who has also had a very distressing experience with a bronc, I hope you will know I wasn't being thoughtless, but that you know not all experiences are good ones even though we hope they will be. All best wishes. Lana

[min-min in reply to lana59]

lana you didn't make me scared. I asked for people's experiences and you were only giving me yours and I thank you that

[spk64]

hi.

i had broncostomy last year when in hospital with acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis. I was dreading it but the nurse looking after me said it sounds worse than it is and most people don't remember a thing. I remember it being uncomfortable for a few seconds then they upped the sedation and from then on I don't recall anything until the nurse or consultant told me that it was all over. So I don't think you should worry too much about the procedure you will be well looked after i am sure . All the very best to you

[min-min in reply to spk64]

thank you for that. Will let you know tomorrow how it went. I want to thank you l for your comments and support. I really do appreciate it than you so much

[min-min]

that should of read thank you all oops

[min-min in reply to min-min]

I had my broncoscopy yesterday and it was a completely different experience. The doctor came out to me in the dressing room to explain the procedure. He told me it would be a bit different than last time then went on to tell me that w will gag and cough and that they will hive me a lung wash ant both my lungs will fill up with water just as if you'd jumped into a pool and and the water fills you bit. At that point I wanted to run away but somehow I was calm you will give sedation I asked and he said we'll it's not sedation as such you will be awake. I wanted to run even more but yet I remained calm. I think all you lovely people were rooting for me. When I lay on the bed and he said I'm just going to spray your throat I said give me loads .he gave 3 big squirts and then preceded with the the sedation. As soon as it went in my head went woozy. Give me loads of that too I said. Then next minute I was done. Don't remember a thing. I get results in 2 weeks. He must have given me loads I ended up sleeping til noon today. Thank you so much everyone for your support and encouragement. Bless you all xx

[eleanordigby in reply to min-min]

oh thank God for that, well done for being so brave, and for saying give me loads! he obviously knew what he was doing and made sure you got plenty. I’d have been absolutely terrified mind you!

[min-min in reply to eleanordigby]

Thank you at least I will soon know why I have ongoing inflation in my lungs x

[min-min in reply to min-min]

That should have said inflammation!!x

[spk64]

So glad it wasn't too bad an experience for you👍. I know from experience what it's like so well done you for being so brave ❤️

[min-min in reply to spk64]

Thank you so much. I had 4 washes and honestly don't remember a thing x