bronchiectasis advice

[Elkeburr]

I suffer from the above and now I have a green mucus. Should I take my emergency antibiotic ? I would like some suggestions.

[Oshgosh]

will you be able to get a message to your GPtomorrow

[Batman1313 in reply to Oshgosh]

Best get a sample tested.

[Oshgosh]

I haven’t got bronchiectasis,have interstitial lung disease.

I find this a big problem.when I get I’ll.

I’m well looked after by Wythenshawe hospital,the GP surgery are helpful.

If I get I’ll in between appointments,it’s a problem.

It’s difficult to get a GP appointment,worse since Covid.

If I go to the local drop in centre,they check me out ,then tell me that I “need to pop to A N E to be checked”that can mean a long wait and risk of infection.

As I have multiple diagnoses,staff can find it difficult toadvise me what course of action to take.

On 1 occasion last year I had a drop in centre appointment,also an out of hours GP and a phone appointment with a GP within 4 days.

No one was willing to advise on whether to increase steroids or to take the rescue antibiotics.it’s a very difficult situation to be in.

[Hidden]

It depends what colour your sputum usually is, if the amount has increasef and it has become thicker and also if you feel poorly. If it were me I would probably give it a couple of days, working very hard to clear my lungs of mucus to get rid of anything suspect in there. If it were still a bad colour and especially if more and thicker after that I would take the antibiotics.

[Elkeburr]

thanks for your advise. Are you a sufferer too?

[Hidden in reply to Elkeburr]

I have had bronch since I was 3. I will be 73 soon. I don't regard myself as a sufferer. I live with it.

[Egpa]

Hi, I have bronciactsis. My consultant says if you fill unwell or your sputem changes colour, always send I sample in to the doctors for testing. I have had a bad infection with pale green sputem before now, didn't even fill that ill. Good luck take care and stay safe.

[Lutontown]

Put a sputum sample into your surgery. Hope you keep a stock of sputum pots. Then start taking your emergency AB's; you never know it may be the right one to sort the bug you probably have.

[Alberta56]

I agree with Lutontown. The sooner we broncs start on abs the better.

[Timberman]

What I woiuld do (have done) : A assume an infection if it is green. Take a sample (assuming you have an emergency bottle) and send it off asap. Start on your antibiotics if provided for emergency use. Do finish the course even if it clears UP! Seek clinical advice as soon as I can.

I have an oximeter so keep an eye on sats - low 80s and react by calling help/ COPD team or GP. Any lower and its 999.

[Digger0]

When I was diagnosed I was told to take a sputum sample to my GP for testing before I took any other AB's - I'm already on Amoxicilin MWF weekly. I was given sputum jars to keep at home in case I need them.

[Hopefull786]

What is bronchiectasis... Anyone here with COPD and ashma and dysphagia... When I get sick I can't seem to be able to cough out phlegm it's too hard somehow it just comes until the windpipe and sits there in my throat whole time sometime I can't swallow sometimes I feel choked and that gives me anxiety I might die

[Hopefull786]

I tried to explain to this people at the day hospital here this situation I'm in with not being able to cough out any sputum they just look at me like what are you saying then ignore what I said or they look confused

[Lapis5]

Get a culture first then if they agree, go on oral antibiotics .I have colonized Pseudomonas and so now am on another 2 week course of IV antibiotics. This is the 6th time in a year> I have it really bad.

[Karenanne61]

You should've been given an action plan with your rescue pack. E.g. mine is to start antibiotics if sputum changes colour, steroids if chest is tight and get a sample to doctors. This may not be the same for you though. Every infection can cause further lung damage so its important to stop it in its tracks.

[Sk1ppy]

Hi,

I have bronchiectasis and fibrosis in my lung, I've just been told I have Interstitial lung disease.

When I was bringing up lots of sputum my Doctor gave me a course of antibiotics, then gave me something called Spiriva which is a dry inhaler in tablet form taken by placing into a inhaler and puncturing the tablet to allow you to breath in the powder.

The powder dries up the sputum. At first I thought not a good idea, but I was so happy I gave it a go it worked great. Maybe its something you could ask your Doctor about.

Good luck. 👍