Change in symptoms

[PAP48]

I have bronchiectasis (from childhood) and asthma, colonised with pseudomonas. Usually, I'm quite able to do chest clearance every day to get rid of the sputum lurking in my lungs. However, over the last week, my chest has become very 'dry', and I have a hoarse voice! Not feeling great, any ideas about what's going on would be appreciated. I am on azithromycin 3 times a week and colomycin nebuliser twice a day. I'm unable to produce even a pin head of sputum so I'm a bit worried about what's going on. I am quite wheezy.

[eleanordigby]

Been there, done that etc! Probably like me the gunk is definitely still there but extreme inflammation means your lungs are too tight to loosen it. You saying you’re wheezy and don’t feel great is a giveaway. Only guessing but this happens to me with a major pseudomonas flare (I say major as against the ordinary ones). If you have asthma too, that just makes it even worse. I’d bypass the gp (they’re mostly clueless about bronch and pseudo) and contact your hospital team (I presume you have a specialist nurse you can phone or email?) and hopefully you’ll get booked into a Rapid Access clinic for assessment this week.

[PAP48 in reply to eleanordigby]

Thank you eleanordigby - thought that might be the case, sadly! I’ve just left a message for my respiratory nurse to call me. I won’t go near my GP, I’d only be given different antibiotics which is a no go for me anyway! Respiratory nurse has access to my Consultant, so I’ll follow that route.

[Patk1]

Hiya.ru using extra nebs of salbutamol for wheezing? Eleanor may well be right.if not,the azithromycin may have settled inflammation in lungs and infection " may" have settled,so less mucous.wheezing maybe upper airways bit "twitchy" - as opposed to inflamed - and salbutamol shld ease it.id drink extra and maybe spoon of honey to coat throat,or suck lozenges.i often find gargling helps xxx

[cofdrop-UK]

check out you haven’t got a virus running side your exacerbation. Just having the same and hospital are inundated with folks. They think and test for covid but it appears ro be a virus which presents similarly. Good luck cx

[Izb1]

Hope you can get some help with this from your respiratory nurse x

[Tykelady]

Since starting on oxygen about 18 months ago I have found that I did not need my Salbutamol inhaler nearly as much. However, the last few weeks I have been literally squeaking and whistling when I breathe out. I went back to my Salbutamol in the mornings after clearing as much gunk as I could and have found this beneficial.

[Patk1]

Howre U now PAP48? Hoping yr symptoms r improved xx

[eleanordigby in reply to Patk1]

was about to post the same question! X

[PAP48 in reply to eleanordigby]

Thank you so much too eleanordigby for asking. You will see my reply to Patk1. There are so many viruses about at the moment, it took about a week to start clearing. Hope you are keeping well and keep warm too. Take care.

[PAP48 in reply to Patk1]

Thank you so much for asking Patk1. I'm much better thank you, just a wee bit 'throaty' still. I spoke to my respiratory nurse, but I think I have had a virus thing which has now cleared. Had a test done and all was good with that. I hope you are keeping well and warm! Take care.

[Patk1 in reply to PAP48]

Gd to hear yr on the mend.lots nasty viruses about at mo x

[eleanordigby in reply to PAP48]

that was a lucky break, that it’s cleared on its own! the hospitals seem to be full of very sick people with weird viruses etc, to be avoided at all costs! I’ve been here over two weeks now but WHEN I get out I plan to stay away from strangers, and definitely shops, until Spring!

[garshe]

I take Carbosisteine (Mucodyne) tablets daily. Clears mucus. xxSheila 👍💕

[PAP48 in reply to garshe]

Good morning garshe, I do have Carbocisteine but don’t find it effective if taken permanently. I do take it for maybe a month then have a break and restart it later. I think I had a virus that was affecting my upper respiratory and voice but seem to be much better now. Thank you so much for your reply. Keep well xx

[garshe in reply to PAP48]

I also take Covonia mucus relief medicine. That and honey help my voice if it goes hoarse. Good luck xxSheila 👍💕⚘