Bronchiectasis exacerbation

[happyclappy]

Hi gang, I read a lot about exacerbations or flare-ups but don't really know what to expect.

I've had sinus issues and been coughing up green phlegm for a few weeks now that antibiotics aren't touching. Proper drained of energy too.

Could this be a flare-up?

Diagnosed with bronchiectasis a few years, probably brought on by CLL with hypagammaglobulinemia.

Do you have regular check ups with respiratory, or just left to your own devices, like I seem to have been?

How long does a flare-up last?

Cheers

Pete

[magsclark12]

you need to get a sample of phlegm into the doctors. Green is a sign of infection and it needs hitting with the right antibiotics for 2 weeks. It won’t go away and risks the bronchiectasis getting worse. I’m going to say something Littlepom would have said … don’t take no for an answer.

[Patk1 in reply to magsclark12]

I agree with all u say magsclark12

[Patk1]

I'd get Yr specimen in today happyclappy and also get Appointment urgently.u cld start antibiotics frm gp and change if need to x

[B0xermad]

Hi definitely needs a sample of sputum testing to see what bugs you grow to get the correct antibiotics also it can lady weeks until mucus is clear and maybe a couple of courses of medication to get it under control, acetylcysteine or carbocysteine to clear the mucus helps and getting the gunk out is key .I hope you feel better soon

[Phill1]

Agree with all of the above . Sample needs to be given to your GP asap AND you need to do daily chest clearance to get rid of the mucus (even when youre not having a flare up)

plus everyone with bronchiectasis should be under the care of a Respiratory Consultant for regular check ups …Hope you are

[LissacFrance]

Hi, what is your usual treatment if any for Bronch? My wife has had Bronch for last years and years ago started on Azithromycin 3x per week. She has had no other infection this winter so no need for other antibiotics, but in the past Amoxicillin has usually clear up any other infection. Take care, and don`t hesitate to ask your consultant. Chris.

[happyclappy]

Thanks peeps, I'll make some calls 👍

[Izb1]

You have been given good advice HC and it seems like hundreds of other people we are left on our own to muddle our way through. Get onto your gp today and like magsclark12 says dont take no for an answer. The fact that your immune system is low means you can pick up everything around you. It sounds like you haven't had many chest infections so best to be safe and get your sputum sample in quickly x

[sunshineday]

Hi happyclappy, with bronchiectasis you really need a bronchiectasis specialist as it's treated differently to COPD and not all respiratory specialists appreciate this. Hubby has had it since birth (now in 70s) and it's good to know if your lungs are colonized with a specific bug. Hubby's is Haemophilus influenzae and he always has a pack of Doxycycline at home as that's one of the particular antibiotics that usually work well against bronchiectasis. As many others have said it's important to do a mucus sample and get it to your GP or hospital direct ( ours is only a couple of miles away so take it there as it saves time) Littlepom who used to post on here was very knowledgeable on bronchiectasis and is missed, perhaps if you type in bronchiectasis in the search box some of her posts might come up, may be shown as 'hidden'. Hubby used to be seen 3 monthly, then 6 monthly but now since COVID 12 monthly but consultant said if he needs to be seen earlier contact his secretary. I hope things improve for you soon. Joy

[Alberta56]

You've had lots of good advice here. The sooner you start knocking this infection on the head with the right antibiotic the better.

[Lutontown]

In 2014, I had a chest infection that went on from the end of March into November. It was Staphylloccus Aureus, which needed an intravenous AB course to sort it. Oral AB hardly touched it. That long bout of infection I believe caused my Bi-basal Bronchiectasis.

[peege]

As others have said, you need a specific antibiotic treatment to eliminate your particular bug. Patients with bronchiectasis need at least a two week course, referral to a - preferably - bronchiectasis specialist, biannual reviews, rescue prescription of a good antibiotic (amoxicillin has never, ever worked for me so I've refused it for over 10 years & usually get doxycycline or clarithromycin). Importantly, check out the N.I.C.E Guidelines for bronchiectasis, print out if you can and show to the GP. Good luck

[birdy53]

appears so I had a ‘flare up’ which lasted quite a while - Amoxicillin did not have much impact after a few courses and a sputum test.

[birdy53]

after looking at my RA letter sputum test after weeks on amoxicillin was given Doxycycline. Was always given to keep at home until doctors changed.

[Mooka]

if you have hypagammaglobulinemia I cannot believe you aren’t really poorly by now. You’ve clearly had the wrong antibiotics for your infection or the course wasn’t long enough. It should be two weeks. As everyone else has said get an appointment and take a sputum sample in with you before you end up in hospital. I hope you are better soon.

[inhaler1]

hi, my name is Dawn, I have not been on the forum for a while, but have had Bronchiectasis for about 15yrs, I was first treated by hospital chest Consultant, but not much progress made and many flare ups treated with steroids and antibiotics.

as I was not happy with frequently of my flare ups, I was then refferd to a Bronchiectasis specialist who stopped a lot of my medication and did lung function tests.

l am now seen every six months and on lung clearing device plus daily Aziththromycin, plus inhalers and rescue pack for flare ups, plus have no for chest physio if any problems.

hope you get sorted soon.

[happyclappy in reply to inhaler1]

Cheers Dawn. What's in the "rescue pack?"

[Smilesalot]

Hi sweetie 🙂🤗,I'm sorry ur suffering with no supervision.

I've had no supervision for Copd since 2003. Until I fell badly at the end of December then sort of came back on the radar. Now I've been forgotten again😐

My GP was supposed to call me this morning but no show.

Don't let them forget you!!! Hassle then if necessary.

Good luck sweetie hugs 🤗🤗🤗🙃🤗🤗🤗😍❤

[watergazer]

lots of good advice given here for you happy clappy. I usually have 2 weeks of doxycycline for a flare up. X

[armstrong2]

hi pete a exacerbation is very dibilatating and for some unknown reason it happens through the night ( with me ) you are fighting for your life to breath l take several puffs of my emergency inhaler until l have it under control ..it can take up to half hour before your breathing comes back normal ..but following day it washes you out ...lhope l havent frightened you by explaining

[Kcn3]

What antibiotics have you tried?.I have had a chest infection, 1st amoxicillin then after 2days finishing started coming back so just going to finish a course of Doxycycline. I looked up the difference which I've seen shot and attached

Interesting

[happyclappy in reply to Kcn3]

Hi, thanks for responding. I initially had 5 days of doxy, then something to squirt up my nose. A week of Clarithromycin followed then something else to squirt up my nose. I was still coughing so another 5 days of doxycycline. I'm now halfway through two weeks of Clarithromycin! I feel it's going in the right direction but I had a covid jab yesterday that's slowed me down a bit.

Just done a sputum sample, so let's see.