Hello, I have Bronchiectasis , I have lost over a stone weight , which I am worried about . could you suggest anything to put weight back.

[Smyth]

Hello , I have Bronchiectasis and worried with amount of weight I have lost , could you suggest anything, I use a nebuliser 3 time a day with Ventolin and saline -steri neb . I don't seem to have much energy , look forward to hearing from . Jimmy

[Halapps]

Hi Jimmy, I use a product called Ensure which he takes twice a day and has made a big difference to my Dads weight. It's a nutritional drink and helps a lot. Good luck.

[Hidden]

Hi jimmy,

I have had bronchiectasis for most of my life 65 years. In recent years I have battled with loss of weight, loss of appetite, and an absolute inability to put weight on. I am convinced that it ( or antibiotics etc over the years) does something to our metabolism. Nobody is looking at that angle and all I get is the usual advice about eating the right foods,supplements etc. I could write the book and if it worked somebody would be very rich by now!

I now make myself a smoothy of various berries, banana, evaporated milk, peanut butter, granola and protein powder which I have first thing everyday. I try to make myself eat a full meal cooked from scratch every day. When I am on my cruises I go from food outlet to food outlet most of the day, eating what I fancy and I come home not one pound heavier. You should hear the comments I get from the 'healthy' people who cannot control their eating urges.

The weight loss can be a sign of an untreated exacerbation so get a sputum test and a blood test to see if you are carrying a hidden infection.. The trouble with us bronchs is that we slide slowly down the tree and keep battling on. This confuses medics, especially GPs who are more familiar with acute disease and whose training is centred on COPD, who have a different set of symptoms and problems. It is also a good idea to find out if you are anaemic. I was found to be in feb and have been taking folic acid

ever since.

I use a saline neb sometimes to loosen the rubbish but rarely nebulise ventolin. I have salbutamol 24 hour inhalor and a steroid inhalor and at present I am nebulising ceftazidime as a preventative against pseudomonas in my lungs. Sometimes I can get breathless after I have nebulised ventolin so don't do it very often. Infact I had never had it until I was hospitalised in Feb with an empyema and all of the others in my ward were COPD,having it regularly. The nurses gave it to me automatically and I quite liked it ( being very poorly at the time). So my consultant said I could keep some at home if it worked.

My energy levels go up and down but are definitely worse if I am having an exacerbation and I get 'fuzzy brain, not wanting to do anything sydrome'.

Unfortunately we bronchs are all different and it is a case of whatever works for you. Some are like you and I And some fight weight gain. My consultant, whose main interest is bronchiectasis is convinced that it is on the cystic fibrosis spectrum but nobody is researching that either.

I do hope that helps and if you find the answer to weight loss and how to put it on DO please let me know.

[clematis5932 in reply to Hidden]

I too lost a lot of weight which was picked up by the copd consultant. I was sent to a dietician and put on high cal drinks they have helped a little bit but I remain at 6stone 5ibs. After being diagnosed with bronchiastasis in Dec 2014 it was explained to me that I am burning up my daily calorie intake at least ten times faster than a normal person. I also have pseudomonas. I am now on daily antibiotics and have not had an infection since April . It was a relief for someone at last to tell me the weight loss was to do with my lungs, i had spent the last two years trying to tell friends and family this but all thought it was of my own doing.

[Hidden in reply to clematis5932]

yes we do struggle with this opinion. Everytime my son sees me he says 'you'r too thin Mum' My consultant just says the same as yours about burning up calories. There is a presumption that we just have to put up with it. No wonder we get tired! I've had various drinks which are a waste of time for me.

Keep chewing. xx

[Smyth in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your detailed reply, will keep you updated , when I have put on a few stone !!!! Regards Jimmy

[Hidden]

Hi yes my mother used to drink Ensure which is the only one of the build up drinks she liked. They are very high in calorie and have all the vitamins in. If you are underweight you might even be able to get them on prescription.

The best things about these is (apart from the many flavours), is that you can open one in the morning and just sip it throughout the day. x

[Suzy6 in reply to Hidden]

I get Aymes milkshakes on prescription Cough. At two a day I doubt I could afford to have them.

They are helping me to gain a few pounds, not many, but at least a few.

Suzyxxx

[Snodgrass]

I have ensure too because most of the time I can't be bothered to eat. Helps keep my weight steady.

[Jessy1]

Hi yes I was given Ensure when I was in hospital. It's very pleasant to take & easy as it's got a little straw to use. Various flavours too. Give it a go & hope it helps you gain some weight.

[vittorio]

I don't know if this would help with the weight problem, , but a low intake of Steroids , which as we all know is INFAMOUSE for putting weight on ! - BUT , certainly helps with breathing as well, ask Doc about this - Best wishes ...

[Smyth]

Hello Vittorio, thank you for your reply, I have tried Steriods and they do work, but my doctor said it was bad for me to say on Steriods as it could effect my bones . Thanks again Jimmy

[Ergendl]

Drinks like Ensure, Fortisip and Complan can be very helpful. Eating little and often - three meals and several snacks each day can also help. A little of what you fancy is also all right - enjoy that piece of cake or savoury snack as well as aiming for your five a day fruit and veg. Add calories to less calorie dense foods like soup - high calorie powder, milk powder or cream. If you manage to stop losing weight, that's an achievement in itself; putting on the odd pound is even more of an achievement. Good luck.