Bronchiectasis and allergy to ABs etc

[Fionafish]

Hello all, I wrote before about allergies to ABs and got heaps of reassurance from you wonderful people which was much appreciated.

I followed recommendations to have a sputum test (nothing grew) and talked to a doctor and the practice nurse at my surgery. I also rang the consultants but there was a recorded message that they would only deal with urgent cases so I hung up. I told the doctor - a locum who I had not talked with before - about what had been happening since last December and she said coughing up lots of blood was not indicative of an infection (which is different to what others at the surgery say) but happened because of coughing. She also said I could take a course of amoxicillin if my lungs get worse - even though I take it every day as a prophylactic. Since stopping the ofloxacin my cough has got worse but sputum is still pale green. It feels harder to puff all the way out but otherwise feel fine.

So still lots of unknowns but further along from the unknowns a week or so ago

Does anyone else know about what bleeding lungs mean (hopefully its not too scary!) Also can you move from taking the prophylactic AB to taking it full strength for a fortnight?

Thanks and best wishes to everyone x

[Bkin]

That doesn't sound at all good FF is your doctor aware you are coughing up a lot of blood? Is it still happening now? Pale Green sputum suggests there is still an infection in the lung.

Personally I think you need a serious chat with you GP regarding your query about the ABs and the other symptoms you describe above.

If for any reason you can't get through to your GP I would telephone the 111 service or just go through their online symptom checker to see what they advise once completed

111.nhs.uk/

Take extra good care and I hope you are breathing easier soon.

[Fionafish in reply to Bkin]

Thank you - much appreciated. The coughing up blood was about six weeks ago and it hasn't happened since. Some of the medical people think it is because of infection that hasn't been cleared by the ABs but the last doctor I spoke to said it was probably just some capillaries breaking in my lungs because of coughing.

Best wishes to you

[Patsy164]

Its very difficult in lockdown to find someone to talk to. If the bleeding happens again and lots of it comes up ring 111. They will decide the best way forward. Hope you are ok x

[Fionafish in reply to Patsy164]

Thanks Patsy, much appreciated, hope you are staying well too x

[Patsy164 in reply to Fionafish]

I have been up and down throughout this but fortunately not had to take antibiotics yet. Just when I think I might have to take them I miraculously feel better. I do hope that your bleeding subsides or stops happening.

Have a look at

bronchiectasis.me/help-advi...

It is a good site with lots of information.

[Fionafish in reply to Patsy164]

Thank you

[Patk1]

Ive q severe bronchiectasis which often causes blood in my sputum.even sizeable clots at times.yes,coughing can also be culprit,as capilliaries can rupture.if yr worried at all,do contact dr.stay safe x

[Fionafish in reply to Patk1]

Thanks for your reply - its reassuring that it happens to others but sorry you have it so bad, take care x

[Patk1]

Hi fionafish.howre u this week.hope no further bleeding for u xx

[Fionafish in reply to Patk1]

Hi Patk1, I feel fine but this morning coughed up more blood. Got urgent appointment at doctors - stats all fine except my oxygen saturation was down from normal (94 then rose to 96 after a couple of deep breaths). So I am booked to get an x-ray tomorrow morning, have done a sputum sample, and she has given me a prescription for co-amoxiclav to take only if start to feel worse.

She said the x-ray should show whether it is ruptured capillaries, an infection or worse (which she said she doubted).

It feels a bit exciting getting to go out for at least half an hour (my partner is shielding so I am acting as if I should as reckon I should be anyway) but expect it might be nerve racking tomorrow as haven't been there before.

Will let you know how it goes.

Thanks for thinking of me - much appreciated x