I have just been diagnosed with bronchiectasis. Has anybody got any advise or tips that would help?

[teddyd]

[123podmore]

1 stop smoking try don' go out in cold or windy weather .keep worm, that what i do

[teddyd]

Thanks

Thankfully I dont smoke and the weather does affect my beathing and coughing

[PositiveThoughts]

I too have this in a small area that hopefully is confined, I have tests every 2 months but am being signed off in Jan as my functions are higher than normal so for now I am extremely lucky. I do however get mucus in the back of my throat from time to time but this seems to be part of it I am told..This condition varies from one person to another and no two people will have it the same. I do however try to keep well, tricky with teens at home always ill ...

No one knows how I seem to have got it but my kids both where very ill with whooping cough 4 years ago, then is seemed to start for me the cough, which I grew into and finally it came up as a finding on a CT scan most unexpected but strong links to whooping cough.

So far this winter I am holding up, I am told 3 chest infections pa are acceptable, after that I would be back with my chest specialist. Keep well keep the immune system strong is my advise,and remember this is different for every person, we are not all the same.

Try to go to Physio, the more you understand the better you will feel

Try not to compare yourself with others but a good forum for support and questions by people that are supportive with some practical knowledge.... Good Luck x

[Mocarey]

Chest clearance is a must. I can recommend the site bronchiectasis r us, there is a mine of info about your disease on there. There are a few of us here who have it but if you are specifically looking for info on bronch, that's the place to go!

[cofdrop-UK]

Hi teddy,

I assume you have had a ct scan in order to be diagnosed with bronchiectasis. With bronchiectasis you should most definitely be under the care of a respiratory consultant, especially one with a special interest in cystic fibrosis/bronchiectasis. You need to be your own advocate and look at your local hospital site's list of consultants or Dr. Foster and ask your gp for a referal. As Mo has already mentioned there is a site some of us belong to called Bronchiectasis R Us, like here they are a wonderful family. One of the topics is recommended doctors, mind it is international, but you may find one in your area. There is also a topic on physio. I also have a list of cf centres if you want to pm me.

Even though bronchiectatics have the same condition, we are all different in the amount of mucus we bring up, the techniques we prefer to use to get up the mucus and the gadgets which we feel work for us. This is why it is important that you see a good resp cons. One of the things he/she should do, which is essential is to refer you to a respiratory physiotherapist who will teach you all the different physio techniques for getting up the gunk and will show you gadgets which will help with this, and hopefully find the one which suits you best. I note you already have a flutter. Some bronchs like it - personally I much prefer the acapella as you can use this in any position, useful if you do postural draining with percussion. Please note once you have been taught physio you will be expected to do it yourself as it needs to be done every day. As Mo has said chest clearance is a must.

Do you have nebulised saline. It is brilliant at loosening up the gunk and making it easier to get up. You might want to ask cons about this.

Many of us have been 'loaned' nebulisers and given acapellas from the hospital, but I know some unfortunately are not so lucky. Hope you get one, but if not here is a link where you can obtain an acapella, but I would hold out first as their not cheap. If you purchase one ask for a medical vat exemption form which has to be signed by a medic. I was given the 2nd one by the hospital the green Acapella Choice.

henleysmed.com/page/aca...

So to summarise what you need to do for the condition of bronchiectasis.

1. Do your homework and find a resp cons with special interest in cf/bronchiectasis.

2. Ask your gp for referal.

3. Ask cons for referal to a physiotherapist, which he/she should do anyway.

4. Ask if cons thinks nebulising saline would be beneficial for your dh.

5. Obviously follow any new medication regime and do the physio (it is the most

important thing we can do for ourselves, to help keep infection at bay).

A lot to take in I'm afraid. I'm not an expert, just someone who has had bronchiectasis for 64 years now. One thing I have learned is you never stop learning and I learn something new every day from my bronchi pals and from peeps with other lung conditions.

This BLF online surgery link is brilliant

blf.healthunlocked.com/blog...

Good luck

With love

XXX

[cofdrop-UK]

Sorry that link didn't seem to work. Try again!!!!!

youtube.com/watch?v=7OOvfsT...(Not working as expected?)

[Mocarey]

Didn't you do well little cofdrop! xxx

[cofdrop-UK]

No my dear friend Mo - I don't know what I did wrong even now!!!!!!!!!! Rubbish at this stuff.

Lots of love

xxx

[Gwen46]

You and me both cofdrop. My computer skills are very hit and miss, a bit like my abs really!

[cofdrop-UK]

Hi Gwen, He he! Gonna have to ask Gordon how to get a laughing emoticon!

XXX

[Illbeme]

Hi Teddyd,

I'm new to this site myself so would like to hi to one and all. Having had bronchiectasis since my teen years and now in my 70's as long as you listen to what your Dr's tell you and act on their advise as well as be sensible with yourself over your condition. Have the confidence to realise that your going to be fine. Can go a long way to having a good quality of life.

Best wishes

[teddyd]

Thanks to everyone for their advice and help. xx