Living with Bronchiectasis

[burlingamex8]

I'm a 49 yr Male in Portland Oregon USA.

I have Bronchiectasis, a collapsed lung, copd, dextacardia, gerd, and pulmonary hypertension w/o exacerbation (whatever that is).

I was denied a ling transplant twice because since I had surgery to repair a partially formed esophagus made my anatomy too risky. Too unique.

Breathing is not fun sometimes,and I've been dealing with all of this for 13 years. I'm thankful for US social security to live off of. I need to get up and exercise or as doc put it, I could easily hit a point of no return and slide from able to bedridden to dead. Maybe I'm writing this to motivate myself.

[Hidden]

I hope you are and you keep reading it. Forty-nine is no age to be going where you seem to be heading. Stay in touch. ✍️👍

[HungryHufflepuff]

Getting motivated is so difficult. Wishing you the best of luck. The BLF has exercise videos you can watch online, much of the exercises can be done while sitting if getting up is difficult for you, it's somewhere to start anyway and maybe build up from there? Best wishes to you 🤞

[Corin1950]

Just wanted to send you my best wishes and don’t leave it too long til you post again. There’s lots of people with Bronchiectasis on here that you can swap advice with.

Take care

Corin

[deenyweeny]

Good luck with your efforts to stay well. The world is a beautiful place, and you shouldn't leave it too soon. so keep doing everything you can and think of all the good things in your life.

[Beth1949]

I have been dealing with breathing issues for 30 yrs. I was diagnosed with Bronchiectasis about 12 yrs ago. I've had long periods of time when it was a struggle just to make it thru the day.

What I have learned from this forum...is to be proactive with your own health. Some of the changes that I have made have helped minimize the progression.

If the med that your specialist is giving you is not working, talk to him/her about other meds. (my specialist wasn't addressing my asthma, so he started me on an inhaler med. It helped).

Decrease stress (I did a lot better after I retired. I loved my job, but it was, at times, stressful).

Exercise. Even if it just a walk around the house. Take up a hobby that will keep you on your feet and moving at your own pace.

Try alternatives to prescribed meds. Essential oils, certain vitamins or minerals. I take turmeric w/pepper every day for it's anti-inflammatory properties.

Breathing exercises. Use a flutter valve (if you don't have one, ask your dr about one). I have a percussion vest that I use when I use my nebuliser, to help loosen the mucus.

The internet is a great tool to find information.

Good luck, Beth