I have been ill for a week now with my first exacerbation since my bronchiectasis diagnosis in late Spring. I am on Day 6 of doxycycline and still too ill to do much other than lie in bed. It’s like a really bad bronchitis with fever and horrendous coughing. I worry about the further damage this is doing.
A friend is going out for a covid test. I’m taking 6 carbocysteine a day but feeling really uncomfortably phlegmy, especially at night. I haven’t been using my nebuliser as everything is too much effort right now, and I didn’t know if saline inhalation might affect my throat, which is better than it was.
Is there anything I should be doing to help my recovery? And when can I expect the doxycycline to work?
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Seagullcity
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You need to step up your airway clearance with a chest infection, it’s really important to get all that infected rubbish off your chest. So I’d carry on with the nebs & saline. Yes it’s an irritant but it’ll help you cough stuff up. It’s hard to find the energy for it when we feel so ill, but it has to be a priority.
If it’s not covid & you’re feeling no better after a week on doxy, phone your gp tomorrow. Or, if you feel really ill, phone 111. They’ll triage and if they think it necessary will send an on-call gp out, to check you’re not developing pneumonia or sepsis
Thanks, I’ll try the nebulising once I get things sterilised. I had a pneumonia vaccination a few months ago. If no improvement tomorrow, I’ll phone gp, S
The pneumo vaccine only protects you against pneumococcal bacteria ie streptococcus. If you’re growing a different bacteria it will help stop you getting as ill, but any chest infection which isn’t responding to antibiotics can develop into pneumonia. I’ve had a couple of pneumonias since my pneumovac (but bear in mind my lungs are severely damaged).
I know just how you’re feeling but I’m glad you’ve got up for a while. Unfortunately we bronchs don’t have the luxury of lying in bed when ill. I hope you have someone to look after you, then you can concentrate all your energy on airway clearance.
ps: sorry, one more thing - make sure all the rooms you’re moving between are warm, so turn your heating up and keep it on low at night too. It’s important to be in an even temperature ie not be warm & suddenly get cold.
I find ( & get prescribed)2 doxycycline a day works but can take time.best thing u can do is used yr prescribe0d meds&nebuliser. Also do get up,at least for a while,being in bed 24/7 will,in my opinion, sap yr strength&energy.getting up will help with breathing.do also do lung clearance and pursed lips breathing technique will help stretch lungs & ease coughing fits
Thank you. I did get up this morning briefly, which helped clear my sinuses a bit, but keep getting shivery, taking paracetamol and going to bed where at least it’s warm. But I’ll make more of an effort to take your advice. S
Yes - I agree 2 doxy per day works for me but it did take a long time to work, especially when you are really bad. I find it almost impossible to bring up mucous despite carbo and bullying from doc and consultant. Hope you feel better soon I know what it's like to be bedridden.
I am so you are feeling so bad. Two lots of great advice already, I can only add that I usually need two weeks of Doxy to shift an infection properly. If you have not improved by tomorrow, I would defo ring the doctor, if no joy with them call 111.
Thanks Leo. Covid test was negative as expected but thought it best to check as I’m booked in for a booster jab on 20th. I’m out of bed and nebulising stuff is sterilising, so will give this a go.
Sorry to hear you are not well. Like you I was just diagnosed in Spring. It’s such a learning curve. Love the help we get on this forum and looks like you have had some great advice already. Hoping antibiotics start worsening soon. Can I ask if your brunch is mild moderate or severe.
I don’t really know as I haven’t been told. I gather initially it was in one lobe of my lungs. I’m waiting for a referral to a specialist consultant to come through. I’m assuming it’s mild as I can usually do some moderate exercise without any problems. S
That’s good. I was told mine was mild and in both lungs from the CT scan. Due to the amount of infections I get I am a bit scared of it getting worse. Wasn’t offered nebuluser so something I will ask about. Hope you are being well looked after x
I wasn’t offered any medication apart from salbutamol inhaler and emergency pack by the gp. I searched advice from people here as I had a real problem with thick phlegm and lung clearance. I basically phoned my doctor and told him what medication I’d like and (presumably after checking its suitability) he prescribed it. I bought my own nebuliser from Boots. The medication really helps for me.
Great to know. Will discuss with my respiratory consultant next week. First visit since receiving my diagnosis by letter! Don’t think it’s a specialist bronch consultant. General respiratory I think.
That’s great that you have a follow up appointment with a respiratory consultant even if you did get your diagnosis via letter. There doesn’t appear to be any aftercare in my area and I felt like they washed their hands of me straight after delivering the diagnosis, with no information provided. Almost everything I’ve learned about my condition has come from people on this site and from googling scientific papers. I hope your meeting goes well and addresses your needs, S
When I have what appears to be an exacerbation my GP asks for a sputum sample, as it may be a different infection which will need other antibiotic treatment. You can always speak to the GP and ask to have a sputum sample.I'm surprised you aren't in the queue to see a respiratory consultant. There's a long wait in our area.
When I have what appears to be an exacerbation my GP asks for a sputum sample, as it may be a different infection which will need other antibiotic treatment. You can always speak to the GP and ask to have a sputum sample.I'm surprised you aren't in the queue to see a respiratory consultant. There's a long wait in our area.
Hi, sorry, I missed your message earlier. I’m getting the impression now that bronch sufferers don’t just start the emergency pack when they feel ill, but contact gp and get a sputum sample tested. Is that correct?
I’m waiting to get an appointment to see a consultant but nothing happening as yet.
Good new though, Day 8 of doxy appears to be the turning point and I’m now feeling considerably better! Thanks
It seems like some start the emergency pack and some contact their GP.
I had covid last year followed by a heavy staphylococcal aureus infection which took three months to clear, then came back although in a lesser dose, and this was the start of my bronchiectasis. My GP is very good and wants me to contact her immediately and have a sputum sample tested each time so I get the right antibiotic, as one antibiotic doesn't treat everything. She gets the results very quickly.
I'm glad to hear you are feeling better, that's great!
It seems covid has left a lot of problems which are only just being recognised.I also now have a heart problem which the cardiologist has suggested could be from my covid infection, or even the staph infection.
I've always been fit and healthy before covid and I'm not giving in, I'm doing all I can to help myself. I think about what I'm eating and have a walk every day, even if it's only twenty minutes on rainy days. Movement definitely helps.
No I start my rescue pack then send in a sputum sample. If it's something different then I'm given different antibiotics, but usually it's not and I've not had to wait so these antibiotics are doing their job earlier and I'm feeling better sooner
It does sound as though you have a nasty virus or covid or even flu. In which case the abs won't cure it but it is a good idea to take them for 2 weeks to prevent a bacterial exacerbation riding in on the back of the virus. If your chest is still bad after 2 weeks and the virus having worked its way through, see your doc as you may need more doxy or another ab to knock it on the head
Makes perfect sense. Not Covid as tested, and had flu vaccine a couple of weeks ago. Will continue the doxy for the 14 days, but hope to be feeling better before then. Thanks
Hi, I sleep at night in bed but in a sitting position (I have a wedge pillow) to help with my breathing. (I also have pillows under my feet due to swollen legs and feet). I wondered if this is worth a try for you. xxxx
I would be using the saline nebulizers. It does help loosen the phlem. Also by day 4 on antibiotics anperson should start feeling better. If they aren't a different antibiotic should be tried.
Thats good to know. There are some nasty bugs around. I have just finished my 4th lot of antibiotics in 3 months and it takes time to recover, sometimes a good few weeks. Frustrating eh ? If you can keep moving that will help a bit. Look after yourself.
It has been a challenge for sure and this level of challenge doesn't happen very often. I usually try and get on this quickly. I didn't this time and perhaps it made a bit of a difference ? Hopefully I have seen the back of it.
Hope your disappears soon and you are well again before too long.
I know how it can knock you off your feet but it's important to drink plenty, clear the mucus of your chest and keep moving about as often as you can to get it all up and stop reinfection it can take weeks to complete recovery so look after yourself
Hi. Sputum sample should be submitted to ensure correct antibiotic. Do you have an oximeter.. Just to make sure oxygen levels ok. Its the clip put on your finger.. Can get one for about £15..useful for ghe future. Glad yourd feeling a bit better. 🤞
So sorry you are feeling poorly Seagullcity. You have been given good advice from people here on site. I would speak with you gp about getting a mucus sample in so that you can get on the righ antibiotic and when better get a referral to a bronchiectasis consultant, You can find one online at your nearest teaching hospital. Sadly alot of us when first diagnosed are left to just get on with it and this site is like a lifeline. I certainly learned more on here than I ever have from the medical profession. If you type in bronchiectasis in the search bar you can look back on previous posts and may help you with questions. I make up honey, lemon and ginger when feeling like this, it helps to sip it through the day and helps with your throat and chest. Look after yourself and I hope you get better soon x
Yes, totally agree, this site and the people on it are invaluable. I asked my gp for a referral to a specialist back in September and I’m hoping to hear about an appointment at some point. Fingers crossed. S
I understand lots of people suggesting I get a sputum check, but tbh, I think I picked up a cold or fluey bug which, thanks to the underlying bronchiectasis, went straight to my lungs. I think I am recovering now though and no worrying colour changes in phlegm. I’m keeping an eye on things though, thanks
Some good advice in the replies. My rescue pack includes a short course of steroids as well as the Doxy. Initially I didn’t take the steroids, but when I have taken them I have noticed an improvement in a shorter time. Might be worth discussing with your GP, and get yourself on a waiting list to see a Consultant who knows about Bronch! Best wishes.
I’ve been referred to Royal Brompton (at recommendation from people here) and am waiting for them to get in touch, I agree this should make a big difference
Hopefully you have two weeks of doxy? Did you submit a sample first before you started? Don't panic. It takes times to learn how to manage bronchiectasis. It is important you get the right antibiotic for the bacteria you have and two weeks is recommended. Keep well hydrated. In future try to keep a distance from under fives . They carry bugs that are not good to us! Good luck.
Have you taken your oxygen levels? If you don’t get the phlegm up your SATs will drop and this will cause you to be more unwell. 🤧 keep doing daily chest clearance and the antibiotics. Get help from GP or NHS 111 if no improvement.
I would try to get a GP appointment and take a sputum sample along . Different abs for different bugs I’m afraid and doxy may not be the right one for your infection.
Sorry you’re feeling poorly. I always need 2 weeks of doxycycline if I have a flare up and occasionally I need those horrible little sweeties called steroids. Take care xx
I find the worst thing you can do is be still for too long... for the past 8-10 years I've had a chest infection every 2-3 months
Sometimes they kick you to the floor but I always try and keep "moving" ... walking round the house, picking the kids up from school whatever I'm able to do.... and yes sometimes I admit defeat and have a "nana nap"
We had flu a few years ago just before Christmas... I ended up on steroids and antibiotics within a day or two of being symptomatic... between Christmas and new year we went out to a national trust site walking... huffed and puffed and coughed a lung up (all 4 of us) but felt better the day after.
I would say after 6 days of doxycycline (my 2nd favourite antibiotic) you should be feeling better/improved... ive had one occasion where I had to have 2 courses of doxycycline, which was recently and I'm now on permanent azythromycin too (and have been for about 18 months) ... so whatever it was must have been particularly nasty.
So it if your on day 6, still not feeling right and not feeling any better it's definitely worth going back to the doctor for a double check.
Much better through today thanks, very blocked nose but no fever and feeling okish. Made sure I stayed downstairs all day and set myself a light task which required moving around the house.
Has the azithrimycin reduced the occurrence of your infections?
Yes I've gone from 1 every 2-3 months to 2 in 18 months and one "something" they gave me antibiotics for... so if we are including that 3 in 18 months .... thats a massive improvement
Azythromycin used over long periods of time has been proven to lower FeNo... so some pretty good evidence they also act as an anti-imflamatory in the airways.
So it's a bit of a double edge sword for me ... the inflamation causes mucus and EDAC causes it to get pinned (so I can't cough it up) and that in turn means it goes bad (produces some nasty bacteria)
So being in azythromycin reduces the inflammation and being an antibiotic helps kill off some of the bacteria ... which can only be a good thing
Ru aware Chi_y2kuk that " controlled pursed lips breathing technique " will help open Airways whn collapse due to EDAC & TBN. I've severe levels of both, with greater than 90% collapses on normal breathing .I find I have to completely relax,just focus on breathing technique for as long as it takes. Lung physio also told me the aerobika also forces thm open x
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