bronchiectasis

[Lyd12]

diagnosed with this after an e ray, greeted by the doctor with *it’s only bronchiectasis— I would like him to try it. Only remedy I have beeb prescribed is Nacsys, which I take every day. Feel exhausted with coughing, I am 89 and get help from my sons. Can’t walk far have a wheelchair for when someone will push me down to the shops. Would like to know if there is a more helpful remedy available,

[sassy59]

Hello Iris, so sorry to hear you have Bronchiectasis but your doctor isn’t being very helpful I feel. You need to be referred to a bronch specialist as respiratory doctors don’t know enough about Bronchiectasis. Hopefully one of your sons can go along with you to back you up. Specialists are usually found at large teaching hospitals.

You need lots of help and support from the medical profession and I hope you get that. Thinking of you dear friend.

Love Carole xxxx🩷🤗

[Lyd12 in reply to sassy59]

lovely to hear from you Sassy, hope you are recovering well. Feeling my age and weak and shaky,and forgetful. God bless my sons, they are such a help. See them each day but still get lonely. Have to remind myself they have their jobs and homes to attend to. Love Iris x

[CDPO16]

I can't help with your diagnosis Iris but I'm sure that some of our members with bronchiectasis will. Sending you my best wishes, Carole xxx

[peege]

Only bronchiectasis! What a flaming cheek Iris, I really feel for you. It's horrible to feel dis‐counted like this and I really hope this wasn't a consultant. I'm so sorry you had to deal with this thick insensitive person as will everyone who knows you here.

Drinking plenty of fluids helps liquefy mucus as well as the NAC, hopefully others with bronchiectasis will come on to share their tips on getting rid of the mucus. I use the huffing technique which a GP taught me 10 years ago - breathe in slowly through the mouth and keep exhaling until every tiny bit of air is out from your lungs then repeat until 'stuff comes up. Good luck my dear ××

[Dottie11 in reply to peege]

Is NAC the same product as Nacsys or carbocisteine please ?

[peege in reply to Dottie11]

Yes, the very same.

NAC stands for N-Acetyl Cysteine.

[Dottie11 in reply to peege]

Thank you.

[leo60]

Sorry to hear this Iris, and sorry also that you have an insensitive b*&%$£d as a doctor. I hope you get the support you deserve xx

[Lyd12 in reply to leo60]

I hope she made a similar comment to someone who put her straight! Thanks for your reply, let’s hope we all pull through the world needs people who can sympathise because they have been there! Love Iris x

[Lyd12]

thank you so much for your helpful post. Yes, it’s years ago now that comment, but sharp n my memory. Maybe time will teach her better. My sons are my lifeline, well, the one in Australia gets off lightly! Hope I can keep out of hospital. Love Iris x

[Donald_1931]

They don't seem to teach bedside manner any more thinking that just stating the facts is enough. She was probably comparing bronchiectasis with COPD, lung cancer and other more drastic complaints and in that respect she is right. I wouldn't advise you to go chasing after a more detailed explanation, Iris, because like me I think your real problem is loss of a loved ones and debilitating nature of old age and whatever you call the beathing problem you have There is no cure for any of those things and at our age the best we can do for ourselves is concentrate on the good things available to us. There's lots of advice on here about how to improve your breathing which I've found invaluable over the years. Getting old is a bugger, Iris, which ever way you look at it. 🙃xx

[Lyd12 in reply to Donald_1931]

you sound like you are managing well Don. Long may it continue. I get lonely, especially in the evening, and most evenings one or other of my sons pop in to keep me company. They cut the grass too. I miss Tony very much, more as time goes by. We got married in 1956 and had a wonderful life together. Love Iris

[Donald_1931 in reply to Lyd12]

It’s 13 years since my wife of 53 years died and 10 since my son died so I’ve had time to get over my loss. But you have only recently lost Tony so must be hurting badly. My Daughter lives 10 miles away and has 20 or so beagles and puppies to look after. She does not drive and the bus service is limited.. Fortunately my dec’d sister’s daughter, now retired,comes to see me once a week and often she and my Monday morning cleaning lady are the only people I see But yes I’m doing okay with ups and downs like most people, and given time I’m sure you will do the same. 😘xx

[Patk1 in reply to Lyd12]

Yr bound to miss Tony + feel lonely.its still early days, Iris.Do u watch any soaps or series on tv - if not,maybe worth doing as gives u something to look forward to watching. I really feel 4u 💕x

[Morrison10 in reply to Donald_1931]

good reply Donald, hope Puss is keeping you company even if cant have a conversation. Morrison is still very much outdoor cat, but likes fuss when he wants it, although I’ve managed to get him amenable at certain times. Jag went off to mechanic last week, I’m hoping to go drive it out in it soon. Look after yourself and puss, best wishes Jean x

[Stratos20 in reply to Donald_1931]

We’ll said Donald 👍🏼

[Morrison10]

I’m sorry you have bronchestasis it’s nasty nuisance, I’m 88 have had it since diagnosed age 32, but medics suspect it was younger than that! don’t like to think how many tablets and antibiotics I’ve had. This getting older is impossible to control, so I remind myself that I have good genes from my Mum who lived until 111 when NHS Liverpool care plan, i.e. no treatment, finished her off. I’m glad you have sons living close by, very nice and good, hope you can enjoy them many more years. I have to nebulise twice daily, and do breathing exercises, coming up to time to do it, very best wishes, love Jean x

[Lyd12]

hello Jean, sounds as thoughyouarekeepingverywell I dontdoanybreathingexercises. Itsusuallyfirstthingithe orningthatIhaveacoughingspell,wonderedifitwasmaybe Isleptwithmyouthopen,itsthatsticklyclearphlegmthattakesagestobgetridof.

[Morrison10]

hi, yes coughing nuisance. As others have said you need specialist consultant who understands it. Took long time to find one, get your sons to look on line at interests etc of respiratory consultants at your hospital, or you can do it yourself. I now take 6 carbocisteine 375mg tablets daily to thin mucus so that it comes up more easily. Nebulise twice daily, and do exercises after. I’m on 1 antibiotics daily working well mostly, but had to switch to higher strength couple of months ago when started feel off and showing signs of worse infection. For many years I’ve kept my own antibiotics as important to catch infections before they get bad. Hope you don’t deteriorate to need antibiotics, think it’s useful though that others know manage on this condition. Best wishes, Jean x

[Germantara]

Hi its fine for them ta say its only But they don't relize they could be in any health position and they will one day I myself never had any ailments till I was 55 then got copd blood preasure

[Alberta56]

I am on Carbocisteine and Azithromycin for my bronchiectasis. I'm surprised your doctor hasn't prescribed them, as they do seem to help. I've also got a trusty AeroBika. I hope you can get some relief soon. Love, Chris xxxx

[Izb1]

As this is worse in the mornings Iris try a nasal wash, Sterimar is a good one that you can buy in supermarkets or chemists, it may help you blow out the sticky mucus that makes you cough. Gp's sometimes say the most stupid things. Its good that you have your family around you to help now that Tony is no longer with you and of course you are lonely without him, you spent a lifetime together. Take good care x

[teddyd]

HiWhen i was diagnosed with bronchietasis the consultant virtually told me the opposite . When he told me what I had I told I said I was relieved as I presumed it was cancer and he said that I shouldn't be complacent about the diagnosis.

Since I was diagnosed I have lost count of how many medication changes I have had . There are so many options. I am no spring chicken but I still lead reasonably active life. Been on antibiotics 3 times a week since my diagnosis and that made a massive difference. ( along with varies inhalers nedulised meds and tablet)

[Digger0]

Sorry to hear your diagnosis. This is what I do to clear my chest acprc.org.uk/Data/Publicati... As others have said you need to see a specialist. I am on carbocystine to help my mucus and antibiotics MWF every week. Good luck.

[LissacFrance]

My wife has had bronchiectasis for about years, but only last years that its effects have been debilitating Treatment for her, and we are all different, is Azithromycin 3x per week. It is an antibiotic drug but also works as an anti-inflammatory. You`ll need to see a lung specialist for this and not just your GP. Good luck, stay positive, Chris.

[watergazer]

hello Iris. Sorry to hear of your woes. What a poor bedside manner that doctor had. When I was diagnosed years ago I was told that I could be feeling anything from being ok with coughing and flare ups to needing oxygen and being in a wheelchair. We all progress differently and I feel we all need the meds that suit us where we are with this condition. I was diagnosed after a scan. I seem to be okay on just taking my fostairnexthaler, eating as healthily as I can , walking and drinking lots of water. Look after yourself and imagine Tony being by your side and helping you through each day. Do you go to any luncheon clubs or groups? My mother in law busied herself at luncheon groups , churches and other thing after her husband died. She used dial a ride or ring and ride to get there. Take care xx🤗

[Manicrose]

So sorry to hear about this. You need to fight for proper care There are such wonderful people on here and information about A Care Plan than you can download and fill in plus your v’ new nurse contact’ at the surgery.

Get your sons to help if needed. Phone the helpline who will guide you too. They are fantastic Good luck xx’

[Timberman]

Just shows how useless GPs are on this sort of disease! I should demand to see a respiratory specialist.

[Patk1]

Have u seen lung physio to show u how to empty mucous from lungs Iris? If not, its worth reading up on lung clearance techniques.also on " controlled breathing".getting into daily routine of emptying lungs is the main treatment for bronchiectasis.if yr prone to infections,ths will help + lots of us on azithromycin( many on 1 3x wk).x