Bronchiectasis

[foxysharon]

In Sept 2022 i got the flu which turned into pneumonia. Never been so sick.

Anyway after i recovered i had a cough that would not go away. Just a dry loud cough.

I got x-rays and a CT scan done which were not damning but said i had a pleural effusion and some plugging etc most likely from the pneumonia. My GP put me on anti biotics while i waited to get app with lung specialist. The anti biotics did not stop the coughing.

Went to a lung specialist did the spirometry, he said stop taking the anti biotics and gave me Breo Ellipta. The coughing stopped almost immediately.

I had to go back 3 months later for another spirometry he said all good.

For all of 2023 i didnt get a cold or the flu. Just kept using the inhaler.

This year i have had a cold and jus getting over the flu. But coughing like devil. Some phglem but not much.

My question is, if you have Bronch do you cough constantly? Some of the websites say "daily cough" is that for a few hours? What exactly does that mean? Also i dont have shortness of breath which is a listed common symptom. Does it sound like i have bronch?

Thanks in advance.

[Swizzy]

With bronch we are all different which is what makes it so complex. The indication for bronch is repeat infections with a lot of mucus which varies in colour. The cough with bronch is associated with the mucus in the lungs and the need to clear it. It is not usually a dry.irritated and persistant cough. To be diagnosed with bronch you will need a bronch specialist to.do a ct scan.

Of course I am not a doctor but your cough sounds more like the aftermath of a viral infection.

[Patk1 in reply to Swizzy]

Great reply frm Swizzy.i was going to ask if u had a ct scan to confirm bronchiectasis.having had a cold and flu,viral coughs can really linger on. With bronchiectasis, and other lung diseases, if you've mucous,it's advisable to use lung clearance techniques cpl x a day to get it up.it puts u in control + reduces coughing in between.look on aluk website for lung clearance

[foxysharon in reply to Swizzy]

Thank you for your reply. I hope its only that too.

[foxysharon in reply to Swizzy]

I hope its that simple,thank you for your input.

[Tinker26]

Now my bronchiectasis is controlled through nebulisation and prophylactic antibiotics I barely cough ,I know when I'm having an exacerbation when my coughing won't go away and my mucus changes colour and taste ,I had a ct scan to confirm my diagnosis ,good luck

[foxysharon in reply to Tinker26]

Thank you. Good luck to you as well.

[LissacFrance]

Sorry, but only your lung consultant can give you the answer. If you`ve already had a scan, bronch would have shown up on it. My wife has bronch, in fact the physio has just left, after 15 minutes working to empty her lungs, this is Monday & Friday, on Wednesday she gors down to his place for longer session + exercise bike + arm exercises. Not much in the way of coughing provided she does lots of walking and swinging of arms to loosen the muck when she is able to spit it out. Take care, chat to the specialist and keep us informed, Chris.

[foxysharon in reply to LissacFrance]

Thank you Chris.

[deejames]

i have bouts of coughing during the day normally. Mornings and late afternoon tend to be the worst but some days its fairly constant. Lots of sticky / foamy mucus. Pretty disgusting at times. I think we all have a slightly different response. I do get breathless in response to activity and tge weather.

[AsthmaandLung Administrator]

Hello foxysharon,

Sorry to hear you are feeling poorly.

We have information on the symptoms and diagnosis of bronchiectasis on our webpage which may be useful:-

asthmaandlung.org.uk/condit...

However like Swizzy and other say, it is best to seek advice from your healthcare team as a range of tests are needed to confirm diagnosis.

Hope you feel better soon.

Take care,

Helpline Team

[Lutontown]

I don't know if you can get Black Mould in your homes in Oz, as that can cause all sorts of problems in your lungs. I used to get loads of chest infections, but since getting rid of Mould in our bathroom, had none. That's 6 years ago. Mould can grow wherever there is water leaks. Leaky roof, which you can usually see the mould, and bathroom and kitchen which can hide away under or behind.

[foxysharon in reply to Lutontown]

Yes we get mould in Oz. But fortuneately our home does not have any, Thanks for the excellent advice though.