Very breathless

[Monetlover]

have bronchiectasis with pseudonomas. Getting more breathless just walking to our bathroom. Yet Ican walk around our bungalow in fresh air OK. Especially breathless getting washed and dressed in morning. Is this a warning sign?

[janedivney]

I also have those two & think any increased breathlessness is a warning sign. Of what is the question! Some things to consider:

What other symptoms do you have ie increased or darker sputum, unpleasant taste in mouth, any fever? It need not be a flare-up of the pseudomonas, just as likely to be another bacteria entirely. First thing I’d do is arrange with gp to pop in a sputum sample. Also, if you have a SATS monitor, check how your readings are when you’re moving about.

Do you also have asthma? If so, maybe that’s not being controlled as well as usual? Keep some peak flow readings.

Could it be a cardiac problem? Think about your blood pressure and any fluid retention. Sometimes we’re so focused on our lungs we forget about other possibilities. If it could be your heart, your gp will arrange an echocardiogram.

Hope I’m not telling you stuff you’re already well aware of - these are just my thoughts x

[Hidden]

Do you have a bronch specialist? Not your GP or a general resiratory consultant. They know so little about bronch. You could be breathless because mucus is stuck down in your lungs and you are not getting it out. Walking outside could be moving it. Do you feel the need to get rid of mucus after you have been outside? Have you had your heart checked. From 2009 -2012 I was cpmplaining of increased breathlessness. Even my con accused me of not dealing with my bronch properly until I insisted on seeing a cardiologist. I had developed AF and dilated cardiomyopathy. Keep pestering until you get the right tests. With well controllef bronch you shouldn't be so breathless.

[Biker88]

It’s normal, I have Aspergillosis and emphysema and find I get very breathless getting out of bed and going to the bathroom, but I can move around outside without getting so breathless. A lot of questions on lung disease ask the question do you get breathless when washing and dressing, we do forget that getting up uses a lot of energy. I find when going from sitting or laying down and straight away going to do something the breathing is worse. I have been prescribed a very low dose of Oramorph which helps with the breathlessness, and I use my Salamol inhaler just before getting up again this can help. I get an annual lung function test to see if my lungs are getting worse and they have been pretty well the same for the last two years, my lung function is around 30% so I don’t think it’s an indication that things are necessarily getting worse.

[LissacFrance]

No immediate advice, but a question. What treatment are you taking for Bronchiectasis? Take care, Chris.