Just to introduce myself: Hi I have... - Lung Conditions C...

Lung Conditions Community Forum

55,270 members66,033 posts

Just to introduce myself

andyhax profile image
12 Replies

Hi

I have been recently diagnosed with bronchiectasis after years of repeated severe chest infections, resulting in collapsed lung and pneumonia. I just accepted this as normal because I ruptured my main bronchus in a motorcycle accident 32 years ago. I also have a pseudomonas infection of the chest for which I take nebulised colomycin and ciprofloxacin.

At last I have an explanation of why I have been suffering all these years and am on here to find out more about my condition.

Cheers

Written by
andyhax profile image
andyhax
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
12 Replies

Welcome, andyhax. There are quite a few of us with bronchiectasis here. I'm similar to you, ie dx'd after years of multiple chest infections (put down to asthma in my case) and I also have pseudomonas for which I nebulise colomycin (I have the "Promixin" brand though, just so I can have an I-neb, which saves lots of time - let me know if you don't have one & I'll send you details.)

I used to take cipro but had to stop when it caused achilles tendinitis. Take care, if you get pain in your tendons contact your gp straightaway, don't ignore it.

This leaflet is about the most helpful I think chss.org.uk/documents/2013/...

I hope you're seeing a consultant who specialises in either bronchiectasis or adult CF, and that you've been shown how to do chest physio? I'm sorry you've got this dx but it's good to know what it is, as now you can get organised & get on top of it.

Please let us know how we can help & support you, and if you have any questions (no matter how small!)

stone-UK profile image
stone-UK

Hi

Welcome to forum, COPD myself, but there are several members with same condition.

In the meantime some bedtime reading.

bronchiectasishelp.org.uk./...

PastMeBest profile image
PastMeBest

Hi andyhax a warm welcome you to our friendly and informative community.

So sorry to hear that you have had many years of suffering and hope that you are now receiving good quality care.

I have IPF and COPD/Emphysema so don't know much about Bronchiectasis but there are many people on here who will be able to give you useful information.

Regards. John

RibvanRey profile image
RibvanRey

Hi Andy and welcome to the community. I was diagnosed with Bronchiectasis and Emphysema some years back. Completely out of the blue. There are a fair number of similar sufferers who are members of the BLF site.

Your profile does not state which country you are in. It is handy to know. Medication can vary by name from one country to another and so can the cost of treatment.

Regards, Rib

casper99 profile image
casper99

Hi Andyhax and welcome to the forum.

I have Emphysema myself but I'm sure plenty of fellow sufferers will be around to answer any questions you have. xx

inhaler1 profile image
inhaler1

Welcome. I have the same condition diagnosed after many years of chest infections, I too came on the site to ask for info, which has been great, anything asked someone on here has answer.

I have just asked for second opinion as My Consultant ( though very nice) just sees me twice a year, says you look fine and sends me away on same medication.

I just need to know how condition has progressed over the last 8yrs and if I am doing the right thin regarding steroids/ antibiotics and flare ups.

Hope to hear more from you on here in the future.

Jaynair profile image
Jaynair

Hi Andyhax, welcome to the site :) x

andyhax profile image
andyhax

Wow thanks for the welcome and all the advice that is already rolling in.

@Hanne62 I had a look at the tinternet about the I-neb and it looks great, is it really that much quicker as I am already rather fed up of having to get up half an hour earlier before work to sort out my nebs. I currently use a Pari mini as I do an active outdoors job and need something portable to get me out of trouble when I overdo it. Does the I-neb do liquids as well because I find my Sal-lube very soothing to neb.

in reply to andyhax

It's fab. I use it to nebulise 3 things, ie Promixin, salbutamol, and hypertonic (7%) saline (all in liquid form). The Promixin & salbutamol take about 1 minute each. H/saline takes longer as you need a larger chamber & have to do 2 lots, so that's about 5mins. It's very small & portable. I use it a lot so have to recharge it about once a week, just plug it in at home for a few hours.

One reason it's so quick is, all of the drug gets into your lungs & none into the atmosphere, so you need much less.

Phillips Respironics loan the equipment to NHS patients on condition they're prescribed the Promixin brand, which costs a bit more than generic colomycin. So your GP has to agree to prescribe it, but my consultant recommended it & GP was happy because of the time it saves (as you're discovering, all this nebulising, along with the physio, is quite a burden when you're working). I'm sure you won't have any problem getting one.

A warm welcome to you andyhax,

You have certainly landed in the right place. I don't have bronchiectasis - just copd, but know you are going to be given knowledgeable and correct advice from members on here who do have it. It's a wonderful place for help.

Dedalus profile image
Dedalus

Welcome Andy

wendym0302 profile image
wendym0302

hi x

You may also like...

Please just let me express myself back to low mood

right now ...don't know if I had a flare as have only been use to treating my asthma. Thank you in...

Let me introduce you to my little friend

Greeks . If you have been in a hot country or lucky enough to have been in a jungle you have...

Just like busses...!

and I have both gone down with this rotten winter bug. Not COVID, not Flu - just the chest...

4 months without a chest infection

So it's been 4 months since I last had a chest infection ... after spending the last 8 years with...

Chest infection from spraying Flea Spray (or was it just bad luck, flu season or allergy?)

may not have ventilated the house very well, leading to breathing issues? I developed a chest...