Bronchiectasis before asthma

[Dottie11]

My diagnosis came in the above order. Would I be right in thinking most people would be the other way around ? Thank you.

[Nula2]

Hi Dottie, I was diagnosed with chronic bronchiectasis (& recurring aspergillosis) and then a few years later was also diagnosed with asthma and given inhalers. Don't know how severe the asthma is but the inhalers do seem to help with clearance. 🙂xxx

[Dottie11 in reply to Nula2]

The same way around as me. Thank you. xx

[tomc]

I was originally diagnosed with Broch and asthma.

Years on told OH actually you have severe Emphysema I give up, now I can't get to see them unless an ambulance takes me to hospital on a stretcher.

Just as well I've got all my limbs, especially my legs in case I'm told to hop off .

[Dottie11 in reply to tomc]

That is really weird. Did they make a mistake as once you have bronch it does not go. Hope you are ok.

[tomc in reply to Dottie11]

Yep, I couldn`t be better.

I`ll tell you something even funnier.

Next year my PIP comes up for review under the new Scottish ADP Adult Disability Payment.

I have been getting worse year on year and now virtually disabled cant breath and use a wheelchair, if attempting to walk up stairs aI get really bad palpitations thrown in for good measure.

I phoned DWP to tell them of a worsening of some of my conditions immediately they said " would you like to start a new application I said NO I have relevant information to inform you of,He got really loud voiced and I put the phone down.

As you know, It is our responsibility to inform them of a worsening OR improvement to our disability, Which is was what I was attempting to do.

A few days later a really lovely lass phoned me to have a chat, Her advice was because I will be 72 at the end of my ongoing award I would be better of just saying nothing about it as you are a pensioner and the ADP may not be renewed. NOW I AM SICK!!!

PS If anyone reading this has any advice please about this, please let ME, Tom know.

[Dottie11 in reply to tomc]

Sorry to hear this it sounds as if you might have a tough time. I have no experience of this area to help.

[Alberta56]

I was diagnosed with asthma years ago. After a series of chest infections about 5 years ago I was told I have bronchiectasis and that the asthma had burnt itself out. I'm slightly confused.

[Dottie11 in reply to Alberta56]

Thank you. The more I hear how all our journeys differ the more I learn but question too.

[teddyd]

I was diagnosed with asthma first and years later got the bronchietasis diagnoses. The Consultant thought I would have had bronchietasis for a long time before it was diagnoses.

[Dottie11 in reply to teddyd]

The only cases in my family were this way around except for myself. Thank you.

[Izb1]

I was treated for asthma for years until I had a ct scan and my new gp said you dont have asthma but you do have bronchiectasis. I kept telling my old gp that the inhalers made me cough and didnt help with breathing but do wonder if I am now years later developing asthma x

[Dottie11 in reply to Izb1]

Thank you. They do seem to like to go hand in hand. x

[Timberman]

Very different causes. Asthma is usually some sort of reactive disease, often allergic. Bronchiectasis is a chronic breakdown of the little cilla that are supposed to clear your airways and usually the result of smoking or some other environmental impact. I have both but the asthma as identified much earlier. In act I had childhood asthma which went away. I was foolish and smoked. It came back. Everything else including emphysema followed!

The more the relievers work the more sure you can be that the main cause of breathlessness is the asthma, I suggest.

[Dottie11 in reply to Timberman]

Thank you. I make more sense of it all the more I read. I wonder if my "breathing events " in childhood caused by exercise were actually Asthma. I was very sporty and could not understand what was happening. But later Bronch and now Asthma.

[Timberman in reply to Dottie11]

Were you breathing episodes associated with cold weather? Sudden cold? Or exercise during cold conditions?

[Dottie11 in reply to Timberman]

Not just cold weather all year round and worse as the years passed. Wheeze really bad at night. Later the tight band feeling around my chest. Acute shortness of breath. I began fainting or nearly passing out as could not breath deep enough. Some nasty accidents from falls. Broken nose which made things even more difficult

[Timberman]

Really feel for you. Do you use a stick? I find it helps. And do you have a home oximeter to measure your peripheral O2 levels? It ca n help to not try to do anything until your O2 levels are above 90% (or 88 if that is a bit of an ask). I also make sure there are secure thing to lean on between me and the loo etc. I'm 80 so getting a bity doddery now.

[Dottie11 in reply to Timberman]

Thank you some really helpful thoughts. I do not use a stick . But I am still in my sixties so maybe that will come in time. I have got a stool in the bathroom when I am more poorly. Two handles so can grab each side to get up. It is rectangle which is a useful shape. Yes I have an oximeter. But only below 90% if quite unwell and yes I would struggle to do much at that level. I have another condition which means my Immune system is not so good at fighting the bugs. Called Hypogammaglobulinemia . Broch can be part of that. I spend a lot of my time grabbing onto furniture or as you say a secure thing to stay steady. It gives peace of mind. My knees could be better. Take care.