hi my name is cheryl i am new to this site and looking for informaton
i was diagnosed last year after several bouts of pnumonia
i am well at the moment but as you know that can change pretty quick
i am taking mucodine and inhalers which help
i dont know much about this disease so would be grateful for any advice and info does this come under copd?
cheryl
Pneumonia is often the result of phlegm on the chest sitting and not moving. Or more likely sitting in the lungs stagnating. The muck in the lungs is a breeding ground for all kind of bugs, and in particular the pneumonia bug loves this breeding ground. I also take mucodine after a bout of pneumonia and it is a lifesaver as it loosens the phlegm, making it easier to cough up. Make sure you keep hydrated also as you need to drink enough fluids otherwise the muck will thicken and continue to cause problems. Needless to say if you smoke, now is the time to quit
Hi Cheryl
Welcome here, the community is for everyone with a lung condition, so you are in the right place. I think there should be quite a few members with bronchiectasis here, so hopefully they will be along to greet you soon.
My lung condition is not bronchiectasis, although the BLF have some good pages of information about this. If you've not yet viewed these pages, you might want to check out the link below.
lunguk.org/you-and-your-lun...
Good wishes to you Cheryl, don't hesitate to phone the BLF helpline for further information and advice.
BLF Helpline - 03000 030 555 (Mon to Fri 10am to 6pm)
Tru
Cheryl
I have bronchiectasis and was diagnosed a couple of years ago. I take mucodyne, inhalers, nebulise with salbutamol and colomycin. However
the colomycin was a last ditch after taking other antibiotics and steroids. Your actual medication will depend on your consultant however it can be that you will need to take antibiotics all the time. The most important things are to learn how to clear your chest daily to move the phlegm and to exercise. I go to the gym and do what I can but walking swimming anything will help. If you call the helpline they can help.
Judith
Hi Cheryl
I too have bronchiectasis and was diagnosed 14 months ago, i was in total despair then i found a fantastic site called Bronchiectasis R Us - It has over 2,000 members all with Bronc. they will answer any question you need to ask and you will always get a answer no matter what the question is Also there is a drop down menu at the top of every page and it has information on all aspects of Bronc. eg medication, what is bronchiectasis? treatments, physio, and lots more, just give it a peep, you dont have to join, you can just read the posts and look at the items on the drop down menu - when first diagonsed i went from, being able to just jump in my car, drive anywhere i wanted, days out with friends, meals, shows, concerts, babysitting and cleaning the houses of my 2 grown up sons, while they worked, to being on oxygen 16 hours out of 24 had a home concentrator, alos found out i had heart failure, as i had, had Bronc for approx 8 years, i started to get pnuemonia, then chest infections year in year out and it was only when i woke up one morning unable to breathe and legs twice the size as normal, that i was referred to a respitory consultant, who diagnosed me with Bronc I have had amazing treatment - my FEV was 22% my condition classed as very severe - but i have a nurse who comes as soon as i feel unwell, my GP is wonderful and will see me immediately if possible,my consultant, recommended physio, which is the most important thing you will need to do, i do chest clearance 2 or 3 times a day, In July last year i was very ll, i had antibiotic via iv. for 14 days, 3 days in hospital and 11 days at home, nurses from the rapid response team came in daily to give me the iv. this with the inhalers, medication, oh i also have had a telemonitoring system installed, each morning i put a pulseoxmeter on my finger and it measure my oxygen levesls and pulse, if either are not at normal levels, a nurse will phone me, or a doctor will phone and if i am ill will come out to see me that day, so there is a lot can be done, if you have a good gp and consultant, but above all the most important thing to do daily is physio, i am presntly starting a pulmonary rehabilitation course, i did the breathing tests as i had to be assessed and my FEV1 HAS gone up to 50% !! - altho i will never be cured, there is room for improvement and my life is so much better now, i only use the oxygen for when i do hoovering or work like that around the house - so good luck to you and hope you have success in your results after treatment xxxljc xxxx
Hi Cheryl
Like you I have only recently been diagnosed with Bronchiectasis.
I am only 44 and have 6 children ( only 3 at home now though .phew!) and I find that , yes plowing through the info , at first was very daunting it is getting easier. I don't know about you but along with the breathing difficulties the constant tiredness is just as dibilitating and a constant struggle. I get pains in my chest and very ratty with people when i am overdoing it . And I'm normally so easy going..I have had some good support from the BLF nurses and also my physio so when you see your consultant if not already ask to see a chest physio.
Regards
Emma
Hi Cheryl,
Like yourself I have bronchiectasis and have had since my teen years and I am now in my early 70's. So think I am doing okay with most things I want to.
I came out of Hospital after a bout of pneumonia and getting stronger by the day (I'm hoping) While in there my Consultant came to my bed to explain that COPD was down in my Hospital notes and to tell me I don't have COPD and to get my Surgery to correct this on my file that it was Bronchiectasis I have. So guess there is a difference? Though what, I do not know.
I use rigourously my "flutter" and Salitair on a daily basis as I can't stoop for physio exercises due to other ailments. On days I find it a little hard using the salitair for breathing in with I use the flutter as I find it easier to blow out on and vise versa. Unfortunately these need to be bought for in my area anyway. They do the required job for me that I need and even take them with me on holiday for all the size of them.
I still enjoy a quality of life and luckily haven't been held back too often if at all by my Bronchiectasis. I know I am luckier than others in this field.
At one point it was mentioned to me that I could get the bottom part of my lung removed. I told the Consultant that if he had asked me that in the beginning of winter I might have considered.
Best advise from me is: Listen to your body. It will tell you when you need a to rest a little, or when you need to see to that all important job of drainage and what can't be done one way there will be another way to work round getting that same job done using the above aids I mentioned or others that are available.
I am on Mucodene, inhalers and a nebuliser on ocassions when needed which help me a lot and antibiotics at the worst of times.
Keep yourself well
Best wishes
Illbeme :o)
Cheryl, I hope you have got in touch with bronchiectasis r us by now. I have been a member for years and the support the members give you makes things seem a whole lot better. Some of us that can, meet up once a year (usually in May) and it's lovely to be able to chat about stuff face to face. On the forums you will find answers to any of your questions. You know how your body feels better than a doc so be guided by that.
Gwen46
I have mild bronchiectasis probably due to pneumonia a few years ago- a mild infection in the bronchiectasis seems to trigger my previously well controlled asthma -controlled by preventers-decided to take mucodyne type medicine a few weeks ago to see if it prevents the infections
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