Small Airways Disease

[PW_R]

I had an infection the end of Jan (still not sure what it was - maybe RSV). Didn’t really start like a cold but airways closed up & excessive mucus. Mucus tested & nothing so no antibiotics. Things slowly got worse, although I was continuing to exercise to clear my chest of mucus (my primary issues is chronic bronchitis, not obstructed as such ). I did an extra swim session one evening - (only way I can get secretions out) and I couldn’t breath that night. One week in hospital & antibiotics/ steroids etc CT scan showed airway inflammatory changes & I had lost 25% of my DLCO, Now standing at 74%. He’s still insisting I don’t have copd (fvc/fev no where near .70) but mentioned small airways disease but didn’t say much more. I was managing the chronic bronchitis with LOTS of airway clearance but now I can’t clear my chest /as swimming is leaving me with night time ‘jerking’ as I try to fall asleep. Sorry this is too long but seemingly overnight my life has been totally messed up. Everything I read says that small airway disease is very hard to manage? Prior to this my diagnosis of chronic bronchitis wasn’t ideal but this is totally unliveable. But this is just the way it goes I guess.

[Patk1]

You've had nasty time of it.lots infections frm winter/ spring taking 3mths to clear.if no mucous coming up at times,maybe not much there.i imagine ct results,as u say inflammatory changes,wldbe due to the infection,at the time and may well settle down.inflamation often accompanies infections,in lungs.id let things settle x

[peege]

Hi, I have Small Airways Disease too. Diagnosed after several pneumonia, constant chronic infections & endless antibiotics. I think dx in 2013 after referral investigations. This is on top of asthma. (CFS too but thats another story)Now I'm doing fairly well, I take loads of vitamins minerals and supplements to keep immune system fighting fit. I'm allowed winter antibiotic Azithromycin 250mgs taken Mon Wed & fri November to April when I'm very susceptible to infections.

Hope something like this would help.

I'm afraid I don't know what the other abbreviations mean..... DLCO ....RSV ?

[Patk1 in reply to peege]

Rsv is a common virus - respiratory syncytial virusDLCO is one of lft results

[Alberta56]

Some bugs do not have time to grow in normal sputum cultures. They need a longer time. Is it worth asking for a second sputum test?