Neil

[Anneddwen]

I was diagnosed with bronchiectasis 3 years ago. Since then I have been using steam-breathing when I can to self treat. I carry amoxil with me in case of need. Any other ideas on the subject please?

[Pentreath Volunteer]

HI Annweddwen, not sure if you have posted before, but, if not, welcome!

I have bronchiectasis for some years now and am lucky in having good support from my GPs and an excellent consultant and I hope you do too.

In addition to the Rescue meds (steroids and anti bs) at home I have tried to do as much as I can to try to prevent exacerbations. One of the best things you can do is to ask to go to a pulmonary rehabilitation course, I am going to my last session on Monday and have really enjoyed it and benefitted from it. I take Manuka honey every day, take an Allican Max tablet every day (lots of garlic in a very small capsule), use a Power Breathe and flutter. This year I have succeeded in getting my weight down to where it should be - having a bit of a fright when my height was measured and I was an inch shorter than I thought I was! This has been done by reducing intake and upping activity. My preferred option is to walk 10,000 steps each day but I try to average 7.500.

Let us know how you get on.

[peege in reply to Pentreath]

Hey good for you Penreath, that sounds fantastic. . . . Welcome to Ann too, lots of good advice already so good wishes to you. P

[Anneddwen in reply to Pentreath]

Thanks Pentreath.

[jenss]

Hi there Anneddwen, it sounds like you are handling it very well for yourself, but these are the actions I have implemented for myself:

- try to avoid infections: good hand hygiene, get flu and pneumonia jabs, avoid sick people/crowds, use VICKS FIRST DEFENCE if indicated or need to go to high risk places for picking up infections such as on buses, crowds etc.

- clear any mucous from lungs: if you have little mucous use huffing combined with coughing. If more severe mucous excretions (such as during infection) use positive expiratory pressure devices (water bubbling, Acapella, Flutter) to help bring mucous into major airways and then cough it up.

- maintain a healthy immune system: take vit C, vit D (get GP to test your level), eat garlic, take other supplements/foods you fancy like Manuka honey zinc etc, take probiotic supplements/foods (most of our immune system is linked to gut function), etc

- get pneumonia jab and annual flu vaccination (listed again as very important)

- eat 5 or more unpeeled apples per week: they have been shown to be linked to increased lung health and are good for you anyway

- avoid breathing in fumes, deodorants, smoke etc

- eat healthy and stay active (exercise)

- Take antibiotics immediately when chest infection starts and also if sinus infection does not seem to clear

- Enjoy!!!

Let us know if you have any other tips. I wish you all the best. Take carexxx

[Anneddwen in reply to jenss]

Thanks Jenns.

[Anneddwen in reply to Anneddwen]

PS. Sorry, Jenss

[Covenham in reply to jenss]

I found this response from Jenss, very interesting and helpful Annddwen, and have taken some points on board myself I've read amazing reports on Maunka honey and have been wondering about taking Zinc myself for a while now.

I was also diagnosed with Bronchiectasis 3 years ago but unlike you, I'm on 'a cocktail of drugs'! However, I do believe in self-help and take an excellent probiotic, eat lots of fresh fruit and veg. My consultant has always been keen for me to eat a good amount of protein (I never asked why but I do anyway) and I am cautious of being around anyone who has a cold or sore throat etc.

I take Azithromycin 3 times a week, only during the winter months (from the first to the last frost basically) and not at all, if I have a flare-up and need to go on to a full-strength antibiotic Ciprofloxacin for a week.

What works for one person might not work for someone else but it's so interesting to find out the different methods other people have discovered here. This is a great site and you'll find loads of support and helpful tips. Take care of yourself and keep breathing

[Anneddwen in reply to Covenham]

Crucial points, for me, are to keep warm, keep well hydrated-up to 3 litres of water per day. Lung tissue is so very delicate that breathing steam often, seems logical....care is needed not to breathe in the superheated stuff, which is just above the nozzle of a kettle. When in the shower or bath, if I remember, I do some really deep breathing to get the damp warm air to the extremities.

I got my bronchiectasis the year the authorities said the flu' bug was attacking deep down into the lungs. I'd had a bad accident at the end of August, then missed having a flu' jab, the very time it was needed most!

I think the reason the medic says eat plenty of protein is that lung tissue hopefully can renew itself. Protein is of the essence, if that is the case.

Honey, and sugar, are antiseptics. I take a multi vit. mineral tablet and cod-liver oil alternate days and, being male, saw palmetto every day. The latter though, apparently from recent research, just keeps the bladder clean so, like cranberry juice, perhaps is useful for female bladders too! The research concluded neither s.p. or cr. j. are of any use, so maybe save your money!

Take care! Neil.

[monkey65]

Hi Anneddwen and welcome to this friendly forum. There are lots of folk with bronchiectasis here.

I presume you have had a CT scan and formal diagnosis. Have you been offered azithromycin? This antibiotic seems to be a standard for bronch and is taken every other day or 3 times a week on a long term basis. Some people can't tolerate it but for others (like me) it is like a miracle drug!

I also had very useful advice from a hospital based chest physiotherapist on breathing and 'huffing'. Not sure if this is available everywhere, maybe the usual NHS postcode lottery.

Good luck.

[Anneddwen in reply to monkey65]

Thanks Monkey65.

[cofdrop-UK]

Hi and a very warm welcome to you. Not sure if you are still seeing a respiratory consultant since you were diagnosed. Not even sure if it was a consultant who requested your scan. Also not sure if you produce a lot of mucus or have been taught methods of clearing your lungs.

A con should really test for cf as process of elimination, refer you to a respiratory physiotherapist to learn mucus clearance techniques and gadgets (there a quite a few methods and as we are all different we all have our preferences), and of course work out the best medication to suit you. You don't say if you have any inhalers or nebulise at all.

The steam method you are using is always good - have you tried the blue flask with a mask sold by Betterware. Easy to use and your hair doesn't get soaked. Very old but very beneficial thing to do.

It is good to have a standby antibiotic but of course it may be that some of the infections you may get will not be sensitive to Amox. If that happens you will need to get in a sputum sample to your GP.

Good luck and nice to meet you.

love cx

[Anneddwen in reply to cofdrop-UK]

Thanks Cofdrop.x

[Anneddwen]

Cofdrop, what does cf mean?

[jenss in reply to Anneddwen]

cf stands for cystic fibrosis a genetic disorder that affects mucous production and mostly affects the lungs but other organs also: webmd.com/children/guide/un...

[helingmic]

Annweddwen, Welcome! As Pentreath wrote, keep doing whatever exercises you can do. Unfortunately, I am not a great walker like Pentreath, but I go to the gym three times a week. Th thing is to do what you can , regularly.

Again, manual honey suits some people; it doesn't agree with my stomach. I prefer milder form of honey - I suppose they have some good in them too!

Vitamin D I take with fish oil.

I'm thinking that the weather might change soon. With this people start coughing! This is dangerous for us. Try, as possible, to keep away from coughing groups! If you do get an infection, don't wait for it to take hold on you. I have done that and ended up in hospital. Take your rescue meds and try to get a sputum pot, fill it and have it examined so the doc can prescribe the appropriate drug.

Another thing, look at our humour section, and have a good laugh, it's a good medicine!

[Kelda]

Hi there, it sounds like you're doing all thr right things. Do take garlic though as its wonderful at keeping infections away. Also, I don't know if you like herbal teas, but elderflower tea is good for the lungs and peppermint if you feel a cold comming on. Nettle tea helps with allergies. Multibionta vitamins were recommended to me. Keep your fluids up (2 litres a day, if you can manage it) to cut down on mucus, cut out all dairy, especially cows milk, cucumbers also. I hope these suggestions help.

This is a wonderful site, full of people who understand, give great advice and really care. I am definitely going to try to log on more often.

Hope some of these suggestions help a little, keep positive.

Wishing you good health,

Kelda X