I was just wondering if showers have a bad affect on you? I took a shower, the other night, and I felt a little shaky and out of breath. By the time I got out I could not breathe. I was shaking and huffing so bad I had to call my husband to help me. That was very scary, to say the least.
How do you bronchi people deal with this? Or am I weird and hypersensitive? Any feedback and suggestions, please. 
Hi Marnster sometimes I get like that and yes it is scary you think to yourself how am so breathless just having a shower or getting dressed it doesn’t make sense. Well you are not alone there must be many other people on this site that are the same too. It’s all part and parcel of our disease whichever it may be. You are not weird or hypersensitive it can be really scary sometimes. My nurse says if you are climbing a hill take your ventolin before you do so maybe take a couple of puffs before you take a shower. Maybe others may have more ideas of how you can manage your breathlessness. Xxx
Thanks for the reply. I was so alarmed at this shower incident that I am nervous to take another one. I try to take short showers and turn the water off when I am shampooing or washing up. Other than this I don't know what to do. I will use my inhaler before the shower this time.
I see my GP on Tuesday and hopefully I can get a referral for this. It is really sad that people suffer for so long before they are diagnosed. It has been at least 10 years of this but it did disappear for a couple of years. But boy, it came back with a vengeance and reared it's ugly head.
I am just so overwhelmed with all this. Physically I am much better but still have the upper back pain and fatigue. One day at a time and thank you for the reply.
All sorts of things can trigger it off and so unexpectedly that’s the problem. Normally for me it’s drying myself or dressing myself. I also had a funny time when I would bend over and nearly pass out, or pack the dishwasher and be so breathless. Putting on shoes or socks can be difficult. You are right it does take so long to get diagnosed I was really ill for about 6 years.
I have bronchiectasis with pseudomonas, severe asthma and COPD but it is manageable at the moment, recently I went 5 months without an exacerbation which is so good for me it was like I was given a gift but I was ill again but that’s ok because I did so much in those 5 months. The previous year I was so ill I couldn’t go out or do anything so it made up for that.
I hope you can get referred to sort this problem out I wondered whether it could be an oxygen problem and the heat of the shower and steam is making it hard to breathe. The fatigue is not great I find it comes over you and you can’t do anything but go to bed and try and sleep it off. Being diagnosed is the key you are shocked at the beginning and then accept it and plod on through it. Keep us posted on your progress with doctor. Xxx😊
Oh I know how you feel about living with this and not knowing for years later. I have some upper back pain under the shoulder blades. Is this due to condition?
Hi Yogibreath I personally get pain at the bottom of my ribs but this normally due to an infection. Maybe you could see your gp in case it is an infection or they could explain why you get the pain if not an infection. I have read it can cause joint pain. Hope you can get an answer xxx😊
Thank you. I don’t have infection currently. I think I just need to do more yoga perhaps and stretch the areas more throughly. They can get tightbamd fatigued with post infection and lots of coughing. Thanks for responding x
Thank you Yogibreath. Right now I have to say I feel pretty good. I have been walking with hubby again. Not as fast as I used to, but that could be from living in WI, with the snow and ice. The one thing I have noticed is, even though the infection is better, I still have the upper back pain? It's always there but seems to get worse when I'm walking. It is my whole upper back area. From the right shoulder blade all across to the left. It feels like a deep ache and goes down further, sometimes it goes down by my ribs, like a stabbing jab. I also get pains in the front by my heart.
It seems nice to talk to people who understand. I feel very hopeful that this is going to be the year I finally get a diagnosis. I hope you are feeling better.
XXX
Marnster
Patsy164-one of the very first symptoms, besides the breathing issue, was joint pain. I told my GP years ago about the joint pain, breathing issues,sinus issues, stomach issues and fatigue. Long story short it was Fibromyalgia and Asthma. I never believed either one, because I always felt, almost like I was coming down with something and I remember telling the GP how it actually hurt to breathe!!
It has been about 10 years and I am so thankful to finally getting some answers. Not diagnosed yet but I am on to something here. So many symptoms, from the past, come to my mind and I think, "Now it all makes sense!!" I thought I was just out of shape.
Now I just have to find a doc who will listen to me and not get offended if I tell them what I think it is. It's my body and I have to live with it every day. So I need an answer. I've even noticed, in the last couple weeks, that my skin above my fingernails is getting smooth and shiny. And my fingers, from the knuckle by my nail,to the tip of my finger, gets really hot. Weird. Thank you so much for all the info you have given me. I hope you are doing well.
Hi Marnster
That is funny you saying that you have been thinking about your symptoms and it all makes sense because so have I and I have been diagnosed with arthritis, many years ago, and when I read that about joint pain in Bronchiectasis I thought well no wonder I have probably had this for years. Always coming down with the flu and bubbling in the lungs, funny clicking noises in my chest and throat. When I got really ill my daughter kept saying that she thought I had Bronchiectasis because it was the only lung condition that made sense with my symptoms but it took years to diagnose. I was under the consultant for years and he just didn’t know what it was until I got pneumonia and he found a shadow on the lung and gave me the ct thorax scan and lots of blood tests, most of which he had done before and a normal ct scan but nothing had shown up.
I have been quite good for about 6 months had a little blip a few weeks ago but I never feel 100% anyway as most everyone on here does. Now for you it’s just getting these tests done and getting a diagnosis to whether you have it or not. I read lots of articles about it and signed up for bronchiectasisnewstoday.com/
Keep us informed of your progress. Xxx😊
Patsy164 - I really want to tell you thank you for all your comments and suggestions. I really appreciate them very much.
I'm still feeling pretty good but have noticed that my upper back/ lung area is a little more achy and this morning I was coughing up little yellow chunks. Sorry, that's a little gross, but I know you understand. 
I have only been off my Levofloxacin for about 4 days! I have never coughed a whole lot, except, during the exacerbation and occasionally when I lay down or in the morning.
I didn't sleep very well last night. My throat/chest were back to the clicking & popping and velcro sounds. Those were better when I was on the antibiotic but now coming back.
I know some people get depressed, scared or angry when they get diagnosed but I am excited. Finally, I think I found my answer. I gave up for years when I was feeling better but now I am on a mission! I am 40 years old and must have started with this in my late 20's early 30's.
Talking with people like you gives me hope. I don't expect to feel wonderful but hopefully better than I do now. My GP retired a few years ago so I have an appointment with a new one in March. I was supposed to go the 19th but rescheduled.
I hope you are feeling better after your blip. I am so thankful for you just talking to me. I'm not happy that you have this condition but it is nice to know I'm not alone.
Thank you,
Marnee
I am glad I helped in some way. Have a look for littlepom she has written about her experiences and symptoms on bronchiectasis and is very knowledgeable. I had a chat with her when I first came on here.
I felt the same way once diagnosed it was like I didn’t want to have this disease but I was happy I finally had an answer. I had a lot of joint pain in my spine in my 40’s which maybe was the start for me, I don’t know. Well it just goes to show if I have had this for years and I am now 66 and only got really ill for 6 years that isn’t bad. I am managing it a bit better now and don’t push my limits. My friend says I can be a bit of a hermit but I know when I can and can’t go out. I bring the phlegm up as much as i can, I avoid sick people, don’t go out if it’s too cold if I have to I really wrap up. I try not to touch rails and door handles and wash my hands with antibacterial gel a lot. It all all seems to help. I was worse when I worked I was getting ill every month I didn’t have too much time off as working for local government I couldn’t. I had to retire at 62 which isn’t a bad age. You are certainly not alone I am so thankful I found this site, it helps to talk to others in the same boat.
Let us know how you get on when you see your new doctor.
Patsy Xxx😊
Hi marnster, sorry for the late reply, LOL just saw your post regarding your shower experience. I have COPD and asthma. And sometimes I have the same problem, so you are not alone and I believe everyone is scared in this kind of situation and I am sure everyone who suffer from lung illnesses have the same problems. I agree with patsy you not alone.
When I shower I take my ventolin and I have to make sure that I don't close the door, because we have no window in our bathroom. If it gets to steamy I will get breathlessness very easy, we have got now a bigger airwent it's a lot better for me as it was before, but I still let the door open. 😉 Much more better. And had no problems since. Maybe it will help you to that you look that not so much steam with you when you shower. All the best and hope that your doctor could help. Blessings 🌹🌹🌹
Thank you MELNEL-I have used the tips from people and last shower was much better. I used my inhaler right before the shower and left the door open a little. I've noticed years ago, that if the water is too hot, I get really shaky. So it has to be cool/warm. Thank you for the comment. I appreciate it and hope you re doing well.
Happy that you have found a way to have a safe shower 😘 yes have forgotten to mention it, that you might should not shower to hot. We have a very small bathroom only a big shower, I have to open the bathroom door all the way, because have no windows. One some days I am able to shower hot when I feel cold. You take care of yourself, keep doing what you doing. 🌹🌹🌹
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