Bronchiectasis and working

[Jonn54]

I'm just wondering if anybody is still trying too hold down a job whilst constantly suffering breathing problems like myself .I've had so much time off work in the last six months my manager is totally fed up with me .my pf is currently 230 and I'm just starting yet another course of ab and steroids .I'm just not sure what too do.

[2greys]

Hi John, I do not have Bronchiectasis, but I do have severe Emphysema and diagnosed just a year ago. I still work full time but that is only because I am self employed. It is not easy at all, trying to work and still be able to breathe. I have not taken a day off through being ill with it yet, even when I have had a flare up. But hospital appointments galore, plus the Pulmonary Rehabilitation sessions. have meant taking some time off from work.

So yes it is possible to work with a lung disease, BUT you do need to have an understanding employer as well.

I have found it has got a lot easier since I have learnt to how to control my breathing.

Sorry that I can't help any more than that , there are a few others on here that still work that might offer you more help.

[Jonn54 in reply to 2greys]

Thanks for that 2greys

It sometimes feels like I'm the only one suffering like this it gets that bad particularly in the mornings .

I guess I shall just have to keep on playing the lottery

[2greys in reply to Jonn54]

I think you will find that we all suffer more first thing in the morning, me included. I get up an hour earlier now, just to take my meds and ensure that there is time for them to start to work their magic before I start work myself.

[diesel12]

I do not have Bronchiectasis but copd and work full time. my employers have supported me by allowing me to finish no later than 6pm but are now talking of not allowing that any more so am going back to OHS with a view to medical retirement, The younger ones don't think it's fair that I don't have to work late. I've offered to do the lates if they have my copd! go figure.

[Bevvy in reply to diesel12]

You are entitled to "reasonable adjustments " at work. They are on a really sticky wicket insisting you work past 6:00. Is irrelevant what younger ones think and is not about fairness. Is about the fact you have a disability and have the Equality Act to support you!

[diesel12 in reply to Bevvy]

yeah I know, in principle but I have stated if they force me out I will take it as far as I can. I'll go if I can get medical retirement but not otherwise and they know I'm a woman of my word. I go to work when I'm ill so no excuse to say my sick is a problem but my poor memory is causing a problem I understand that but it is not my fault just the illness. To say I'm shocked is an understatement I thought my company was better than that.

[silverbirch]

Hi John I do have bronchiectis and I work 20hrs a week as a gp receptionist​ over the past few years I have had a lot of time off work with chest infections and fatigue. I changed jobs last October which meant I no longer worked in an environment where I sat very close to a huge printer which was constantly churning out dust etc (it was on the desk next to where I sat) and the result has been less chest infections and no time off work.

This said I am aware that my new employer would not be happy if I start having time off because of ill health. They were not impressed when I didn't inform them of my health problems at interview I have an immune disorder and audio processing disorder as well as my bronchiectis. I pointed out that I had disclosed them on my original application form. This did not stop my direct manager telling me I was deaf as often as she could for a good while till she found it not impact on me.

[Knicho]

I'm still awaiting proper diagnosis but my consultant thinks I have bronchiectasis and I work as a TA in a primary school..it's classed as part time however I am there until 3pm everyday. I find the winters particularly hard as I am always catching colds from the kids! There are days when I am utterly exhausted but not working is not an option for me financially plus I enjoy it when I'm well! I do worry about the future though as I'm not sure how long I will be able to carry on.. certainly not until my normal retirement age I'm sure!

One tip I do have that someone told me on here is to use Vicks First Defence if you are around ill people or think you feel the first signs of catching something. All my family had a cold recently and I used this two or three times daily for a while and I didn't catch it! That's a first for me and probably saved me weeks of feeling ill!

[silverbirch in reply to Knicho]

Like you I work mainly because not working is not really an option but I also enjoy my job although. I often fall asleep for most of the afternoon which I find frustrating especially as this means weekends are mainly taken up by doing housework etc.

I do yoga every day I find it helps with both stress and energy levels and the deep breathing seems to help with my bronchiectis. I hope you get a diagnosis soon.

[Knicho in reply to silverbirch]

I'm the same my weekends are also taken up with cleaning as I'm good for nothing after work! I'm grateful for school holidays as I can relax for a while!

Interesting you should mention yoga I've taken up swimming but at the gym I go to there is a yoga class that I have been thinking about trying.. I might give it a go!

[silverbirch in reply to Knicho]

I use you tube videos as I do yoga first thing in the morning to ensure I have enough energy to get through the morning. I have discovered yin yoga which I find is brilliant as it consists of very gently held poses with no flows or trying to do handstands etc. This kind of yoga is also good for my arthritis (newly diagnosed)

[Knicho in reply to silverbirch]

This sounds really good I'm going to look it up and give it s try thank you 😊

[silverbirch in reply to Knicho]

Have a look for Kassandra yin yoga she has plenty of videos on YouTube

[Knicho in reply to silverbirch]

Thank you x

[hurries in reply to Knicho]

Yes,Vick's First Defence wonderful. Even took a flight across the Atlantic and did not catch anything. Am sure I have Bronchiectasis, awaiting the result of an Xray and then perhaps more tests to confirm. In the meantime cough myself silly all night and could sleep all day. Wondering which inhalers work the best. I had a Seretide 500 Accuhaler

[hurries in reply to hurries]

Sorry will finish my sentence. Seretide taken off me in November because of the cost and have suffered ever since.

[Knicho in reply to hurries]

I'm in the same boat awaiting results of ct scan and lung function test to confirm diagnosis.. I currently only have ventolin but to be honest it's neither use nor ornament! Hoping I'll get something better when I see the consultant on weds. I'm on mucodyne too but I'm struggling with stomach problems with that so probably going to come off it!

[Jonn54]

Thanks knicho

I will probably give that a try.

[Roessner541]

I used to work two jobs but had to quit in 2009. It was to hard. I am just now getting my breathing under control after many hospital stays and almost dieing. Not sure why I quit getting lung infections but have only had one in 15 months and no steroids for as long though they make me better it is really hard on my body. I take Daliresp, NAC, magnisium, Coq10, advair and spiriva

I am weaning myself off of oxygen. I use to sleep with it and no longer do. I go for a walk every day and hopefully soon it will be two weather I want to or not. I think it is a lot of trial and error for each individual and what works for them.

[Jonn54 in reply to Roessner541]

Thx for that it's good too hear chest infection free for so long .

[Fionafish]

Hi John, I have bronchiectasis and moderate emphysema and work full time but it is hard. I was diagnosed after I had the job so did not tell anybody. I'm lucky as I am out and about quite a lot as I worry about people noticing the constant coughing and throat clearing. I did have a six week bout of infections before Christmas that I could not work through and have another one now so will not be able to keep it up for too long without somebody figuring it out. I intend to cut hours first to get more time for exercising but worry about the money. Sorry not very helpful - it is not easy that is for sure. Good luck

[Jonn54]

Hi Fiona

Very similar story here too I work as a service engineer constantly climbing up stairs and then having to have to speak to the client to go thru various faults they have .I've found my phone's my best friend when gasping for air simply pretending be using the device to give me time to get my breath back.

Like you can't afford to stop working .but now seems to be getting worse so running out of choices....

[Shimmysue]

Hi. I have bronchiectasis and now work part-time 3 days per week, as I found that trying to work 5 days per week was too hard. My bronchi is pretty well controlled at the moment between Azithromycin, mucodyne, symbicort, lots of physio techniques and exercise. Before my diagnosis 18 months ago I had constant chest infections and lots of time off work, which my employer was not pleased about. Working 3 days gives me the best of both worlds. Not been off sick since I reduced my hours as I have time to recover and still feel I am contributing at work. Hope you feel better soon and have more control.

[Tricity125]

I would love to still go to work but when you are breathless all the time all that will happen is you will get. Run down and end up. Exhausted . Good luck to you but. Breathing S like a. Very important part. Of livin. How can you unless you work from home it's a no brainier in my book but depends on how breathless you are. Some times for me. To get to bathroom. Or kitchen is a major. Effort. You did not say how old you are. But. How are your employers letting go to work. Welll I know for a lot going to work they just. Have to. But it f it ends up being the end of you. Then. What's. The point I think. You cannot be. Totally breathless. Sorry if you are. But how how are you. Doing it . Sorry to say that.you have to decide. Paul

[hoping2improve]

Hi, I am back at work after 3 months off sick. I have bronchiectasis and asthma. I have gone back under amended duties and reduced hours. My peak flows range 200 - 300. Its worth talking too your gp, see what the advice is, then talk to your manager. Good Luck.