Hi, I'm new to all this . . . .

[Covenham]

Hi, I've only recently discovered this website and have been so impressed with the support and kindness given to other sufferers here, that I thought I'd sign up too

Here's my 'potted history' . . . . I'm 62 yrs old, married and an ex-smoker (10-15 a day for thirty years).

My father died from Emphysema and his mother died from a lung disease - both of them smoked throughout their lives.

* I had an emergency admission into hospital with Meningoencephalitis (a very serious illness) in August 2011.

* I started a chest infection in December 2011 that quickly became Chronic Bronchitis.

* I was referred to a chest specialist in February 2012 for a Broncoscopy and he confirmed that I had Bronchiectasis.

* I was back in hospital in May 2012, following a bronchiole 'flare-up' and was put on IV's for three days.

Now I take nine pills a day, a Seretide inhaler twice a day, a Nasonex spray once a day and, since my last hospital admission, I'm also on Azithromycin (250 mgs) twice a week.

I try to remember to do my breathing exercises three times a day and to take a 30 min walk, as/when the weather allows.

To say the last eleven months have been difficult would be a huge under-statement - it's been the biggest learning curve of my life - and I still don't really understand what's going on!

I get very tired sometimes. I feel panicky and have become isolated from friends. I often feel insecure and nervous outside my own home.

I'm still recuperating from Meningoencephalitis and Chronic Bronchitis so, I guess I need to be more patient with myself and allow time to heal - not so easy, as I'm 'a doer'.

Anyway, I hope my story helps someone out there and maybe I can offer something in return. Thanks for reading this far.

Take care and stay safe.

[amagran]

welcome to the site, you'll find a lot of suppoer on here.

[amagran]

support, not supper oops.

[valm]

Hi and welcome, Val

[tanyamarie]

Hello and a very warm welcome yo you!

You have had a very rough time I am sorry to hear. Hopefully you will soon be able to try and put it behind you while you learn more about your illness and how to manage it effectively whilst giving you a good quality of life. That will come in time.......like you said, you must have patience.

Take care

[jayb]

Hello..and welcome x

[veejayess]

Hi, i'm also fairly new to this sight,..63 married to somebody who was diagnosed with Bronchiectasis when he was 18 and does not seem to let it worry him, whoes stats are lower than mine and i'm on LTOT 15 hours a day.( Typical bloke till he gets Man-Flu.) Also an ex smoker 30ish aday You really do seem to have had a bad time recently, but you are now on the up, exercising and try to start seeing your friends again, I understand the panicky feelings,Ihaven't been into town on my own for ages as i'm worried I cant get back home on my own, but have recently bought a POC to help with this. Don,t feelisolated as it would seem there are alot of friends on this sight.

Take care.

[Hidden in reply to veejayess]

POC ? what's that ?

[Hidden]

seems like you are listening to yourself - patience, getting information, while you're recovering. Exercise will help as you know, and if you can't get out - the weather isn't tempting, there's the house to walk around Hope you're feeling much better soon. Take care

[veejayess]

Hi, a POC is a portable oxygen concentrator, they are fairly pricey but second hand ones can be found , not that Ihave been anywhere yet with the weather being as it is.I do go swimming every week which i find to be an excellent form of exercise for me,as I dont get short of breath unless I try to beat someone(sometimes cant resist the competetive bit in me) so have to "curb the urge" .I usually feel alot better after a swim.

[Posative]

hi welcome x

[Covenham]

Thank you so much for sending your emails; it meant so much to me and I truly appreciated every one.

I was really pleased with myself yesterday, as I managed to go along to the Hampton Court Flower Show with my husband, son and daughter-in-law. I took it easy and paced myself accordingly. I'm feeling really tired this morning but I was a good result

[Covenham]

Oops, I meant to type 'it (the outing) was a good result'