Advice please....

[spinonemum]

I was diagnosed with mild Bronchietasis reflux and possibly Asthma 3 years ago after having Covid and have been struggling ever since. The latest problem started with a very croaky voice about 4 weeks ago. I saw the Consultant 2 weeks ago and he has referred me to ENT for investigation. Since then its been a nightmare. Mucous bubbling in my throat for a few days and then coughed up a lot of very "spongey" mucous. A good clear out I thought.....but since then I have been coughing like crazy and it seems like tiny bits of sticky mucous are blocking my airways and its really hard trying to get it out and when I do it reappears after about and hour! I use an Aerobika and do the breathing/clearing exercises to move it but I can only get it out by huffing or coughing really violently and sometimes I feel I cant get my breath as if its blocking the airways.... very scary. I have taken some Acepiro the last two days but it doesnt seem to help. My head hurts from coughing!

Any ideas anybody ? I had a sputum sample 2 weeks ago and all it came back with was oral thrush and thats because I had 2 lots of Doxy and Steroids in May.

Many thanks in advance :o)

[B0xermad]

Hi I too have bronchiectasis asthma and copd it is a constant problem for me with mucus build up, I use acepiro everyday in the morning with a acapella device. without doing it everyday sometimes in the evening also keeps the mucus at bay , certainly feels like a Nasal drip issue overnight sometimes causing the build up .I do drink 2litres of water a day to keep it loose and some foods trigger the intensity of production. I hope you can get some advice from the gp

[spinonemum in reply to B0xermad]

Thank you for replying. Its a nightmare isnt it....so frustrating and life limiting !

[B0xermad in reply to spinonemum]

Don't let it rule your life still live as best you can

[spinonemum in reply to B0xermad]

But it does rule my life on what I can do on a daily basis. I am supposed to be going to Tenerife in November and have to have a fit to fly test as my oxygen levels dropped to 91 last week when seeing the consultant. Has anybody on here flown with 91 ?

[B0xermad in reply to spinonemum]

No I don't fly I cruise now,but I understand that you have low oxygen levels it's a big thing

[lds_kernow]

I have had exactly the same issue with the addition of coughing fits where something catches in my throat and for a few minutes or so, I am repeatedly coughing at a fast pace and really struggling to catch my breath. Blood rushes to my face and according to my wife, my eyes "pop". I have nasal drip which I think contributes to the overnight gathering of mucus in the throat and the need to clear it in the early hours. I find that Dualklir (inhaler) helps but seems to have less effect later in the day. I have found that sipping a hot chocolate helps, but making one in the early hours of the morning isn't fun! As much clearance as possible just before going to sleep at night and the common advice of drinking lots of water can lessen the issue. I also have a spray (Dymista) for nasal drip. I have yet to decide on its effectiveness.

[spinonemum]

Yes I have the coughing fits too......and the red face. I have rung GP and got some Doxycyline and Steroids. Hope this sorts it. many thanks for your reply.

[KitKat1954]

Hi - I have bronchiectasis, asthma, silent reflux, postnasal drip. I have suffered like you for many months. I nebulize with 3% sodium chloride, then do the autogenic breathing (there's an app). The aerobika didn't work well for me. I take fexofenadine 180 mg., guaifenesin 600 mg, Fluticasone propionate nasal spray and a NAC supplement. I was also on azithromycin 3x week 500 mg for 6 months. The antibiotic had amazing results as it gave my lungs time to heal without any infections. It also has antiinflammation properties which helped a lot as well. Since then, I have been doing very well. It's been about a year now with no infections or coughing problems. I walk 2 miles 3X a week. My breathing tests continue to improve and I actually got a normal last time. My history includes numerous episodes of pneumonia and early stage lung cancer. I had a pulmonologist who didn't really help so I went to bronchiectasis specialist at Brigham and Women's in Boston. With her help, I began to get better. For me, the pneumonia vaccines don't work due to an underlining condition, so I have to be careful. I want to encourage you to hang in there. There is so much hope and it is possible to get better. Good luck and best wishes.

[Osha in reply to KitKat1954]

Hello kitkat. I read that you have silent reflux. I too have broncheactesis. How do I find out if I have reflux. I don’t even burp after food !

[KitKat1954 in reply to Osha]

I would consult a gastroenterologist or an ENT. I have been to both.

[spinonemum in reply to KitKat1954]

Thank you so much for your reply! When you first went to see the Bronch specialist what did she do/advise that was different? Do they prescribe the fexo and the guif or did you research and buy it yourself? I have been told so many times that the only answer and help is antibiotics and steroids. Ive just been to pick up my meds and to vote...was going to then do supermarket shop but started coughing and bringing up muck so ive come home til it calms down. So so fed up.of this. X

[KitKat1954 in reply to spinonemum]

I was already on the fexo for my post nasal drip and she added the guif, which loosens the mucus, and then the nebulizing. I believe there are many others on this forum who take antibiotics 3 x a week as maintenance for bronchiectasis to prevent infections and to heal.

[Carol_ALUK Partner British Lung Foundation in reply to KitKat1954]

Hi KitKat 1954

Our helpline service is here for you, whether you need information, advice, or just want to chat.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our helpline is for people living with lung a condition, carers, family members, and HCPs.

You can call us at 0300 222 5800. The lines are open now and Monday – Friday from 9.15am-5pm, so we're here when you need us.

For more information, please head to our website: Helpline | Asthma + Lung UK (asthmaandlung.org.uk)

Helpline Team

[KitKat1954 in reply to Carol_ALUK]

Thank you so much for letting me know. I wasn't aware. 😊

[Patk1 in reply to spinonemum]

I'm on azithromycing 250mg x2 a day as a prophylactic.im prescribed carbocystine which thins the mucous x

[spinonemum]

Many thanks to everybody who replied to my post. I have taken everything onboard from you lovely people. I am aware of most things that we need to do and take for this horrible condition (Bronch) but the thing I am struggling with is these tiny bits of yellow mucous that seem to be blocking my airways when I try to clear. Only the size of a pencil point!

Thanks again and stay well everybody. X