Update on tests etc

[Tiggertheterrier]

hi all. Just an update after my recent CT scan, and the dreaded bronchoscopy on Tuesday this week.

Obviously haven't had full results of latest CT scan, apart from a short note from my consultant to say there was a 6.5 millimetre nodule in ththe Apex of my right lung. They will monitor it, if it stays the same we can safely ignore it. I expect there will be more to discuss as I want to know how much worse my bronchiectasis is getting. This last 12 months the symptoms have been truly awful.

The bronchoscopy two days ago was unpleasant, but got through it with plenty of sedative and fabulous nursing staff. The consultant will contact me with the findings of that little exploration of my bronchi!!

So it's a waiting game now, for the next consultant appointment. There will be lots to discuss.

Started the Trimbow 167/5/9 this morning ( surgery took weeks to issue the prescription!), so early days, but it has made me extremely dizzy ( never had that issue with Relvar & Incruse) and all 'on edge' so hope that doesn't keep happening!

Time for my saline nebs now. We plod on! Xxx

[Alberta56]

I hope the results of the bronchoscopy show nothing that can't be treated and that the nodule has the decency to remain static. Hope they can find ways of improving your health. Other people say Trimbow takes a bit of getting used to- I wonder why medical staff are so keen on it? Best wishes for a healthier future. xxx

[Tiggertheterrier in reply to Alberta56]

thanks Alberta56. The Trimbow will replace my separate Relvar and Incruse inhalers so will be cheaper for ththe NHS!! One of the ingredients in Trimbow is Formoterol which has caused problems for me in the past with Fostair, and something else that had Formoterol in it. Was sort of hoping that this time round it would be OK, but got an immediate reaction to it. Xxx

[Alberta56 in reply to Tiggertheterrier]

I trust you will let your medical team know this -and soon. You should not be martyred to the search to save the NHS money. xxx

[Tiggertheterrier in reply to Alberta56]

Hi Alberta56, I spoke to my lovely pharmacist at Boots who knows me well. He said to persevere for another couple of weeks to see if the side effects settle a bit. At least then I can tell the consultant I 'gave it a trial' and she can try something else. He also said it depends on what else the scan and bronchoscopy flag up. He said Trimbow was more for asthma and COPD than bronchiectasis. Wise man.......

[Izb1]

So pleased you got through the test OK and had good nursing staff. Fingers crossed the nodule stays the same and your consultant will be pleased with the results. I hope all settles down for you x

[Tiggertheterrier in reply to Izb1]

hi Izb1, thanks for reply. Hanging on for next consultant appointment now. I hate waiting for test results!! Can't thank the Endoscopy unit staff enough. They have seen me through other procedures ( upper GI and colonoscopies galore) with equal compassion and wonderful sense of humour. Don't know what they put in those sedatives, but my word they really help.

[watergazer]

thanks for the update Tiggerthe terrier. Take care x

[blueferret]

Well done Tigger, I had one last year with a sedative that blocks the electrical ability of the brain to create or "write" a memory. Very strange. I did however partially awake during procedure so do have an unpleasant very surreal memory of that. All in all painless and very useful. Good luck with the Trimbow, it`s been really good for me albeit with some of the symptoms you mention occasionally.

[Tiggertheterrier in reply to blueferret]

hi blueferret, I actually 'woke up' as they started the washout procedure!! Not nice, one of the nurses quickly shot more sedative into my arm - bless her!! That was the only hiccup. But a very swollen throat for 36 hours afterwards. Hopefully my consultant will get plenty of useful info from it.

[Patk1]

Hope u dont have to wait too long x

[Tiggertheterrier in reply to Patk1]

thanks Patk1, this new consultant is certainly thorough!!!!

[Nula2]

Everything crossed for you to get a positive outcome 🤞🤞xxx

[Tiggertheterrier in reply to Nula2]

thanks Nula2, am hoping my next appointment comes thru in next 2 weeks. I can't understand why my lungs have deteriorated so fast, this time last year I had a quarter of ththe amount of mucous I'm now producing. Hey Ho! It's up to new consultant to be a good detective and find out.

[Nula2 in reply to Tiggertheterrier]

Yes hope you get some help with that and you don't have to wait to long. Your day sounds a lot like mine (saline nebs, inhalers, chest clearance techniques arobika etc, etc and start again- it's like musical chairs🙄😅) . BTW My surgery tried me on Trimbow. My resp team at the hospital had already told me it's not really meant for Bronchiectasis. I only took it for a couple of days and went back to Fostairs.

[Tiggertheterrier in reply to Nula2]

Think they are just throwing anything at me at the moment and hoping something works!!!! Just done my saline nebs and coughing, now ffor a nice shower. X

[Otto11]

It sounds horrible. I’m sorry you have had to go through it. Hope your results are positive.

[Tiggertheterrier in reply to Otto11]

thanks Otto11, waiting for all the results is always a worrying time. Your imagination can run riot!!!

[Otto11 in reply to Tiggertheterrier]

It’s hard not to worry. I’m currently waiting for results for potential blood cancer. It’s been almost 4 weeks & results still not back. I hope you’re not waiting long. Take care.