Hi everyone, thank you in advance for reading and replying......?
I am 46, female, a K-5 (elementary) PE teacher, and have recently been diagnosed with Mild Bronchiectasis after 2 x pneumonia in the past year and 3 x Covid in the past 3.....I am so sad, but only 2 weeks post-pneumonia when I had my CT scan. I have a few questions, and one is - is there any possibility this could change for the better? I have seen a couple of posts where a subsequent CT scan shows improvement or no scarring at all - anyone had that happen?
I don't want to give up my job, I love it, I love my team, and financially I need it as it pays for 2 out of my 3 kids' school fees. However, all medical professionals are advising that these young kids spread all the germs. I also have 3 children myself, and my 6 year old is often coughing, the usual kid germs. So, do I really need to give up the job I love? Any teachers managing this? Do you use masks all the time? I am paranoid at the moment, quite tearful, and to be honest just sad. I want to be able to see my kids grow and be there for them for many years to come, but I'm super scared.
Also, I am on meds for reflux, so hoping that helps with my lost voice (also something that happens often) , and a nose spray, and monthly physio, and have a blowing device - am I missing anything here?
Thanks for any input and advice/support.
Charlie
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PETeacherSGblue
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I would say keep your job for as long as you can. It will keep you active, which will help with the bronchiectasis. I know children's germs are always a risk, but you will have already had some of the bugs which they bring in. If you really find you can't cope with the infections, then think again. I don't know what other people will think, but good luck whatever you decide.
Thank you so much! Very kind of you to reply. I sure will. I am washing my hands 100 x a day, but thank you for your thoughts. True, maybe I can be more immune now.
Just a short note to say that my wife was a teacher, we also ran local Scout troop, and we have been married for 50+ years. She was diagnosed with bronchiectasis when she was 12 years old. Don`t stop the teaching, try to do breathing exercoses in the morning and have fun with your kids.
Must go and make cup of tea as wife has just finished her at ho,e, physio session.
Thank you so much!! THat makes me feel so much better!! Really, my husband is like you I think, he has been so supportive, where I have been so sad! You make me believe I can do it!
Hi please don't give up your job ,are you getting mucolyte medication daily for clearance or azithromycin for infection control 3 times a week all these will help you maintain your bronchiectasis and especially through the winter where germs are rife .also a rescue pack of prednisolone and antibiotics for the 1st signs of a flare up is imperative. I went through the same situation as a classroom assistant until I couldn't manage it after bouts of pneumonia etc I have bronchiectasis asthma and copd, but I was 12 yrs older than you at the time .Good luck and I hope you will get the help to keep you doing your job.
Hi, I love my job, thank you! I had an intense course of antibiotics (3 days IV) before we knew of the bronchiectasis, then a course of 10 days - I've now finished that and no , I do not have the medications you mentioned - my doctor says it's mild and in a small area, so I do not need, To be honest, before the pneumonia i had had a very healthy 6 months, would not have known - and I'm hoping to go back to that - but I do not see many cases of that on here . Thank you thank you for your advice,
There's a simple prevention gel you can use in germy situations called NasalGuard Cold and Flu Block. You put it inside your nostrils before going into a germy situation.
I was once in a theatre with two friends to watch a performance. One of the people behind us had a rampant cold and was constantly sneezing. I used the Cold and Flu Block and offered it to my friends. The one who used it didn't catch a cold, nor did I. The one who refused it caught the same cold as the man behind us.
Thank you! I have something from the doc which he says is similar, to use each day - hping it helps and hoping i can get by months without sickness! interesting story! xx
I had good job in a large office surrounded by people and eventually had to leave after years of bronchiectasis exacerbations. Each infection damages your lungs that bit more. You have had pneumonia twice already . If I was in your shoes I'd begin to plan an exit to something else. No rush, but your health and family are worth more than your job . I diversified and ended up happier in fact. Not just that , my health improved dramatically . On the other hand you may find when your son is a bit older you will be better. It's true kids spread germs but my understanding is it tends to be worse in under 5s . The other thing I'd say is it's a fine balance between being as happy as you can , reducing stress and living a good life. If exacerbations can be avoided all well and good, because some can be nasty.
Finally, under the Equality Act if you were to be off sick a lot and referred to occ health the employer has to make reasonable adjustment . Ultimately, down the line , you might get medical retirement . Good luck .
THanks for your reply - we do not have those rules where we leave (Singapore) so I'm either in full time or out if I want to keep medical and other benefits! I am hoping things will get better as before this pneumonia I have been really well for 6 months and you would never have known! Lets see, and thank you for your reply!
It appears you only have mild Bronchiectasis and the condition may stabilise if you manage it well. It is important to maintain a good immune system especially in the winter months. My suggestions to achieve this would be take Vitamin C 3 times a day and Vitamin D as we don't make any in the winter months and it has a big protective effect . If you suffer from excess mucus and coughing it is very important to do Airway Clearance. Has your immune system been checked for antibodies to pneumococcus you probably require a Pneumococcal vaccine top up. I hope this is helpful.
PS: You have had a lifetime of being exposed to children and their colds and sniffles, so you should not be unduly worried.
Thank you, so much! I appreciate your reply! I did have the pneumonia vaccine last week, and regularly get flu vaccine - I have had all blood tests and they alll look good. I am hope to stabilize this, as I did not have any symptoms before this pneumonia, other than the previous infection 11 months earlier - so now I can be more careful I hope to prevent a lot more! I am trying to stay positive, but there are not many happy stories out there!
hi. I managed to carry on teaching primary school children including sports activities with them till I was nearly 60 what I did give up was going to the gym when I was around 54 as I found myself getting ill after gym sessions and very tired. Take care. Just don’t over do any thing. Xx
Thank you thank you! yes, it's hard , when you have 3 kids 6-12 of your own, a full time job with little ones, and trying to do one thing for me and that is play sports! I love my field hockey and I do not wish to give it up - it's me time! So I'm hoping I can keep it going - doc says so! I'll keep going as long as I can Thanks for your reply! xx
Do u have mucous.if so,read up on lung clearance techniques.its the mainstay of bronchiectasis that u need to do ea day to get the mucous out,and reduce infections.No wonder Yr teary.pneumonia takes it out of u & it takes time to recover from.rest up & b kind to yrself.yr lucky,you've caught bronchiectasis at mild stage.
It should be very manageable once Yr better.i use handgels often, take supplements to boost immunity,drink plenty,keep as fit as possible in addition to twice/+ daily dedicated lung clearance + comply with treatment regime.
There are nose + throat sprays to help stop viral infections..can't think of names at moment.. coldeze is one.
Take it one day at a time,that's enough while yr recovering xx
i have it as i am just recovering from pneumonia, but before this it was not something i woke up with each day......thank you, i live outside of the US but will look for similar sprays........s.I am so teary it's crazy, I'm so sad for what I may not be able to do , but I know I need to be strong.....thank you thank you
You will b teary+ feel worn out aft being ill.youll manage bronchiectasis between any infections - the main aim is to avoid/ reduce infections.many of us are on azithromycin 3 x wk or daily - it's an antibiotic with anti inflammatory benefits.viruses,coughs colds,flu etc can cause bacterial infections for us so doing best u can to avoid thm will help.x
Yes, I just took today off for mental health, I feel ok, small cough now ,but need t oget my head around a few thing! Thank you for your reply! My doc wants me off antibiotics for now so that when I really need it I can use them ......not sure - we are new on this journey so doc is monitoring my reaction to a few med! Trying to stay positive but so many stories are not cx
Most people on prophylactic antibiotics are older & with life long lung diseases. It's brilliant that you've had the pneumonia jab - it's like the flu jab in that it can only every cover the most likely strains to catch although I've not had pneumonia in the 10 years since the vaccination.
You probably use private health care in Singapore (great) and it sounds as though you have a sensible consultant. My tips would be similar to above, I keep as well as can be by keeping my immune system tip top with extra vitamins, minerals & supplements. Top for me are Vitamin D3 (although you might have year round sunshine in Singapore it won't do any harm to take extra), zinc and Vitamin C - extra C at first sign of a sniffle or sore throat plus an antiseptic throat spray to murder the bugs before they can migrate down).
Don't be sad, you've been diagnosed mild at a young age, you're smart, positive and determined so you'll learn to keep yourself as well as can be forever by using techniques you're picking up. Exercise is the best thing for lung strength/stamina. Breathing exercises on youtube - deep diaphragm breathing & pursed lip breathing as in Pilates.
I my armoury: masks, hand sanitiser, antiseptic throat spray, the nasal guard , hugging less (difficult), avoiding peeps with obvious snottiness.
Thank you for your very lovely reply, you are right on all counts. The hugs are hard, I love to hug, and the little kids love to hug too - but they are mostly snotty ones ! I think because i"M still recovering from pneumonia I'm feeling sad as I can't get back to fitness and get going , but hopefully soon I'll be feeling great again. Thank you so much again for your kind reply, I'm out buying all the vits today!
Hi I am a teacher and I have bronchectasis aswell as asthma and have also had part of my lung removed. We are both 46 and yes it is difficult at times as children are the carriers. My daughter s were the worse when they were 6-8 years . But after that it wasn't so bad. Winter is always a struggle but I keep an open mind and have a good plan set up with my Dr.It's very important that you have the correct meds and good support system .
I did consider changing my career a few times but honestly I love my job alot and I decided until I can't physically handle it I would continue.
Obviously with covid at the moment I understand your concerns but try not to think about it and teach do what you do best . Try to be positive and things should start to improve. It doesn't go away but it's all about management and knowing when to rest as we have good and bad periods.
Thank you, what a lovely reply. I appreciate it. It's been hard, I cant lie = mentally it's kicked me, the unknown. For example, diagnosed with pneumonia 3.5 weeks ago, diagnosis 2 weeks later, stopped the antibiotics and chest xray looked much better, but now i've got a cold and. a bit of wheezing and now i'm doubting my doctor when he says you're fine, go back to school, start exercising again! ahhhhh. But great to hear you are still teaching/. Do you mind me asking why you had some lung taken away? Has it helped a lot? Yes, it's the management, my 10 year old has an on off cough so I need to get him to a doc,but yes, my youngest has been so sick on and off it's been hard to avoid. My physio says I should wear a mask at home and at schoool , let my doc says no need to wear a mask at school Do you?
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