I have this bronchiectasis and sinusitis since childhood ....
when i was 11 doctor didn't understand why i cough ..they just heard wheezing in chest and gave me the asthmatic pump...but i never had asthma
after a while i changed the hospital...
when i was 14 ,the first time sputum came with blood ...then too doctor didn't understand why did it happen and put me on Tuberculosis 6 months course ...which i never had...
when i was 16 the first time i had this CT scan ..then it was found i had this problem since childhood ...
today i cough alot with phlegm if i don't spit it out ..my head starts aching above the eyes
sometimes the phlegm comes with blood ..last time it happened in Dec '17
it's so difficult to stay among people for 3-4 hours ... .sometimes it's difficult to watch even a 90 minute movie in theatre ...cause i cough and i need to spit ...
i can't laugh freely ..cause i cough ...
my lot of energy gets wasted in coughing...
from past few years i am also having digestive problems ..and i am 100% sure this problem also the effect of the bronchiectasis...
recently i had this urine culture test ..in which most antibiotics were found resistant ...so there is no point of me taking any medications...
People don't understand my problem ...only my mom understands it...
i joined this page/community to know how people live with it and go through like i do everyday...
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Hi I'm 67 and have bronchiectasis and right middle lobe collapse. I had whooping cough as a child and this has left me with bronchiectasis. I recently had this awful flu which caused a very bad flare up. I sympathise with you. Try making a drink with fresh grated ginger and honey, plus some turmeric. I find this soothes the cough. I take Halls sugar free cough sweets everywhere with me especially the theatre and cinema! As for people understanding...... They don't!
I hope you are reporting all your symptoms to your doctor/consultant so they are aware of the changing nature of your illness and can treat you accordingly.
I agree people don't understand our illness and the effects on our lives, especially in the workplace or large group activities and they seem to feel free to criticise us for not seeking treatment, or complain about the cough.
I make sure I do extra physio to clear my chest just before an activity when I know I need to try and avoid coughing for a period of time. I find my Flutter gives me the tools to do this, it gives a visual indication that I'm busy if anyone does spot me too although I do try to go somewhere quiet.
You'll be aware clearance is the mainstay for controlling our illness, so don't be tempted to skip it.
The spitting is easy to 'hide', quietly spitting into a tissue works for me (make sure you have plenty in your pockets). Then I end up with a pocket full of soggy tissues to bin at the first opportunity, but at least nobody has been 'offended'.
Hello, I too have bronchiectasis and agree with the advice given above. It’s important that you regularly clear your chest and maybe you need to be shown this by referral from your GP to a physiotherapist. There are different methods and I do the active cycle of breathing, occasionally postural drainage and have a flutter device which I bought from Amazon.
I try to keep my asthma under control by avoiding triggers where possible, such as perfumes, household cleaners, chemicals and avoiding walking in areas with heavy traffic.
Keeping the internal ventilation on in my car helps prevent breathing in toxic exhaust fumes from the cars in front. These measures help prevent asthma attacks and coughing frequently and in turn should help protect my lungs. I go to a class once a week where a lady who sits close to me wears perfume and I overcome this by using my blue reliever inhaler before going into the class.
Exercise is good for our condition and loosens the mucous which in turn helps with clearance. I too keep lots of tissues in my handbag and pockets which have various uses including the need to blow my nose regularly when out and about.
Bronchiectasis and digestive issues are probably connected. I have a hiatus hernia which causes reflux oesophagitis, which can affect our lungs. I’ve also had my gall bladder and appendix removed. Fortunately this is helped by taking Omeprazole daily and diet, eg low fat diet, avoiding spicy and acidic foods and alcohol.
thanks ...i really have trouble sleeping these days ..i cough in middle of the night...sometimes 2am ,3am or 5am ...(i will try that flutter device) ....it feels bit familiar that there are people who suffer like me ..who can understand me ...though i want everyone to be healthy and fine...
How can I help? My diagnosis has always been allergic asthma. But I want to reach out to you and I am sure some things of my routines may help.
No matter what our ailment is, it is imperative we learn the triggers and limit those exposures.
The meds only do so much...We have to help the body heal the challenges that affect it. Eat plenty of fruit, drink plenty of water, and move move the core plexus. You need to integrate a good physical therapist with your physician’s recommendation and try to work wogether.
Avoid smoke, sprays or unhealthy emvironments.
If you strengthen the nearby muscles, those that are not affected, the body has a great response to recovery you’d be amazed of the outcome.
Try Numotizine ointment at night, and apply with a warm cloth. It will soothe you! And at least you’d be able to sleep.
Mucinex 12 hour 1200 mg is the one that liquifies phlegm the best.
Yes, what meds and how they’re applied to our condition is a great way to the best results.
thanks but i am completely against medications ... most antibiotics and medicines are found resistant to my body so i will reserve the few sensitive ones for emergency case.
I'll try to keep it under control from natural treatments or Yoga etc....
I have a lung condition (sarcoidosis) and produce a lot of phlegm every day. I wonder if the following would help you. To clear my lungs of phlegm every morning and before bed I do Active Cycle of Breathing technique (ACBT) - also known as huffing - which was taught to me by a physiotherapist to cough it up and then I don't cough during the day or when I lie down. If I don't do ACBT at nighttime my lungs "rattle" and can't lie down. There is lots on the internet, especially Youtube, teaching Active Cycle of Breathing Technique (ACBT). I was taught by a physiotherapist to do it lying down on each side but it can be done sitting up.
If I occasionally feel there is still some phlegm stuck after I have done my ACBT I use my flutter device which I bought. (Look on the internet to explain what a Flutter is). 20 breaths and then cough, and then another 20 breaths and cough. I hold my cheeks with my free hand so that the vibrations aren't lost into the cheeks! There is also a device called an acapella which is similar.
Also you could ask to see a hospital physiotherapist who could assess you to see if you would be suitable for a nebuliser. You have to be tested to see if you are suitable. They are not very expensive to buy. After seeing a physiotherapist, I am prescribed individual ampoules containing 7% salt solution which I put in the nebuliser and which produce ‘steam’ to loosen the mucus and make it easier to cough up. Or you could put your head over a bowl of very hot water with a towel over your head to loosen the mucus which I used to do before I had my nebuliser.
I never go anywhere without a packet of Fisherman's Friend (includes menthol and eucalyptus), as if I do feel the urge to cough I suck one (a very strong taste so takes some getting used to) and the urge usually disappears.
One last thing. My phlegm is white, but I have been told that if it goes yellow or green that may mean I have an infection and I should ask my doctor's receptionist for a little pot, cough in to it (in private!), and the doctor will send it to the local hospital for analysis to know which is the best antibiotic to fight it.
Also you could raise the head of the bed by 6 or so inches which is explained in inclinedbedtherapy.com. Someone on Healthunlocked a few weeks ago said how good she has found this. Instead I have bought a wedge, 31inches long and 6 inches at the pillow end, I no longer wake up after one or two hours with a rattle in my lungs.
I do hope this helps. We are all on this site to help each other with our experience. I am a 74 years woman.
I agree with the previous posts on breathing exercises. When I was diagnosed last year I couldn’t hold a conversation without coughing every other sentence. I’m now taking the phlegm thinners but really what helped me was see a chest physio who taught me how to do the breathing exercises. I have it in both Lungs and everyday I do 20 min of breathing exercises on each side to get the phlegm out. It’s amazingly effective and I now have my coughing totally under control. I also do a lot of exercise which helps shift the phlegm. I just walked 30km today without one single cough. Because it circulates and I can get it out it also means no chest infections. Only took antibiotics last year when I was diagnosed but haven’t used any since. For me it’s intensive exercise and the 20 min breathing using a flutter device (or without it) that really does the trick. Hope you get it under control.
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Has anyone held off on antibiotics if they have flu 
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