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Bronchiectasis Support

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Bronchiectasis

wiserlady profile image
29 Replies

It seems I have this illness, for years I have often had a chest infection, with breathing problems and mucus and needed antibiotics and steroids. December it happened again, then january it happened again. Now it has happened again. Seem to be ill more often than well and it can be debilitating. The antibiotic I was on was doxycilliln but doesnt seem to be a good idea to take that yet again so moved to another one. Whenever I stop taking them I take biotics to try to build up my gut flora again.

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wiserlady
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29 Replies
Nonactive profile image
Nonactive

Hi wiserlady..I have the same but my consultant has me on Azithromycin every other day 2 stop the infections occurring by about 755percent...Not ideal been on it 5 years so not good 4 gut health..But without it I would be having infections every month as I was for 20 years....All the best....

wiserlady profile image
wiserlady in reply to Nonactive

hello, what did you do about your gut health? I always take biotics when not taking antibiotics, big doses of them, to swing the ball back in my court as much as possible. also started to improve my diet with sauerkraut and other stuff but not when antibiotics, pointless then.

I read last night on another forum of many people saying ho awful they felt while taking THIS antibiotic, it was quite horrifying to read ! but some said they were better if they drank a lot of water with it - or milk - and others said they were fine, very few, and of course when people go to a forum to complain it is because they are angry;/ fed up, very few bother to go there to say its fine or good, that is the nature of people. how are you now?

Nonactive profile image
Nonactive in reply to wiserlady

Hiya..I don't take anything for gut health as seems pointless being as I'm on the antibiotics..My overall wellbeing is horrendous 2 be honest but I have other conditions...How much of my poor wellbeing is caused by the Azithromycin I have no idea as I'm on many meds for other things.. Only thing that's better is the bronchiectisis but 2 many other problems unfortunately..I hope you don't have 2 go on the Azithromycin regime best not 2 unless really need 2...Bit I guess I would be worse coping with constant infections..Mine was diagnosed after moderate damage had been done 2 both lungs but I can breathe reasonably well...Goodluck...keep me informed if you like..

wiserlady profile image
wiserlady in reply to Nonactive

Very pleased your actual lung problem is better. But if it were me I would be on biotics if having to take loads of antibiotics, good quality ones like Dr MERCOLA or DR OHIRRA, they cost more but do more, and many dont do a thing. Otherwise you can end up with more and more health problems, including dementia, confusion, bad memory, depression, allergies, due to bad gut flora.

Nonactive profile image
Nonactive in reply to wiserlady

Yes I will get some as I have terrible allergies and ezcema so I have 2 take oral steroids 2 keep it suppressed another no no...I shall order those proboptics u recommended price not a problem.

Thankyou..

wiserlady profile image
wiserlady in reply to Nonactive

Allergies dont just happen. They are noticeable to you when your gut flora is wrong. I often find that if I use steroids for a while or take antibotics for a while I sneeze a lot and have to use antihistamines for a bit, then if I take the biotics and eat better that goes away and I can stop using them. But the behind the scenes stuff like memory is very important. Months ago when I was taking doxycillin three times in a row my memory got bad. I went shopping and could not - for the first time ever - remember the pin number on my credit card to pay for my shopping. After three attempts the card was cancelled and I had to wait weeks and go through bank to get it. It is no coincidence that happened when I was on doxicyllin a reasonable amount. Please do take care of yourself.

Nonactive profile image
Nonactive in reply to wiserlady

I do have what I call brain fog..A symptom of fibromyalgia but I believe like you that bad but flora could be the main issue there..Thx 4 the advice...😀

wiserlady profile image
wiserlady in reply to Nonactive

A lot of people trrake guafenesin for fibromyalagia and it is somehow connected to the mucus lung problem. Get the long lasting one. I tried a few different ones that did not work at all and found one that works by Marina Del Rey Pharmacy from the fibrymalagia society or something. The thing is I like in the UK and they are hard to get. You need it in capsules, far better than tablets, and they are in USA, so it meant paying for the capsules plus shipping plus customs, but it was worth it. 400 capsules came to about £125, will last about 3 months if taking them as and when without restricing myself. Can get carbosistein from doctor for free but dont feel they work so well so take a mix of both to cut down costs of getting the guafenesin.

Nonactive profile image
Nonactive in reply to wiserlady

Hi There..I don't suffer mucous from cough any more since starting Azithromycin which was a massive problem b4 diagnosis..carbenstene certainly never helped from GP b4 diagnosis...I had my whole large bowel removed so am Hoping I'm going 2 tolerate the new prebiotic. Tries few in past but always gave me the trots..Fingers crossed.Also my immune system is weak so I understand what u have told me makes good sense...I will try the prebiotic first then go from there...omeprazole 4 hiatus hernia double dose longterm is also probably caused by my other issues and where the fibro came from is another crazy thing as I was never fatiqued 2 being bedbound so often it's just not me...The 4 message very helpful..

wiserlady profile image
wiserlady in reply to Nonactive

I had to go on ppis for a bit, after a bit I would cut down the capsules so that there were about half in there, because they can cause dementia and a big loss of vitamini b12, fibromyalgia, calcium and magnesium problems long term. I dont take them now and hope I dont have to again. Fibre plays a big part in all of this. The Dr Mercola thing is prebiotics with biotics, you can add your own prebiotics too, inulin is the most popular one, or bits of onion.

Nonactive profile image
Nonactive in reply to wiserlady

Sounds about right.I have to have B12 injection every 12 weeks..feel no benefit prob 2 spaced out I think every 6 weeks would b better..Plus I take the mag and calcium as deficient also.plus vit d3 drops..As soon as I cut down the PPI the pain in upper chest comes back with 36hours has me running 4 my supply...

wiserlady profile image
wiserlady in reply to Nonactive

I cut down my beads in my capsules very slowly, it took ages, that way there were no problems with that, but I had to keep it on half dose. but at least that way it was only doing half the harm and still helping. vitamin b12 is vital, take some, dont rely on injections alone.

Nonactive profile image
Nonactive in reply to wiserlady

I will add some oral b12 to boost my intake in that case..good idea...

wiserlady profile image
wiserlady in reply to Nonactive

It also helps with energy and red blood cells. I get one with has a few other b vitamins with it, there is an enormous amount of vitamin b12 in each so instead of taking them every day i take three a week, its enough, and then they last longer. dont forget that doctors dont know or understand about vitamins, diet etc, they are clueless about all of that, you have to do it yourself. am looking into whether to get zinc as read that it is good for lungs too.

Nonactive profile image
Nonactive in reply to wiserlady

Yes they really are useless and just want to mask your symptoms..Which can make things worse no doubt on a different level altogether

wiserlady profile image
wiserlady in reply to Nonactive

I have a friend who got prostrate problems, then he was using inhalers for asthma he didnt even have, then he has a bad heart, but nobody worked out it was the ashtma inhalers giving those symptoms, it was ridiculous

Nonactive profile image
Nonactive in reply to wiserlady

Dr Mercolla ordered thx...

wiserlady profile image
wiserlady in reply to Nonactive

Dont know if it helps you to know this but when I started getting into this antibiotic cycle I got 3 months of Dr Mercola and 3 months of Dr Ohirra the professional version - which is 5 year old and more potent. Both have prebiotics in them. I also get kefir from the Polish shop, its the cheapest way to get biotics. And as drastic things call for drastic measures I take two or three of them each day. ALWAYS take them at least an hour and a half after eating or drinking and where you will not be eating or drinking for at least an hour and a half after. Preferably a longer gap. And best to eat something prebiotic around it rather than junk which kills it - i.e. sugar, processed foods, refined foods, etc. I eat saurkraut and veg around it. I like them because they do reach the gut and they have quite a good combination of different ones in the one capsule.

I also take fish oil / omega 3, brewers yeast, because we end up with not enough vitamin b, which affects us in many ways, and three fibre capsules a day. The antibiotics I am taking now often give people terrible diarrhea, but as I take a lot of fibre I am fine. All these little things help a lot and make us healthier. Why have ten problems if you can cut it down to 3?

Do you have problems with mucus? I take serraptese to cut down that, after a month of taking it every day it will decrease, and guaifenisin to cut it down, making it thinner. I am also going to start taking mullien tincture as that helps a lot of lungs and mucus and infections there. Hope this helps. Have anice day.

Nonactive profile image
Nonactive in reply to wiserlady

Hey there..Taken first PROBIOTIC today ...2 hours or so ago prob I seem more whezzy than usual .A little worried any ideas..My ezcema is feeling really itchy also..Surely it's 2 quick 4 probiotic 2 undampen my immune system which is pretty compromised..confused...I have oral prednisolone 2 get me out of trouble if needed but that's not good as just finished 5 day course few days ago...Thanku..

wiserlady profile image
wiserlady in reply to Nonactive

Hi. Which country do you live in, how old are you, male or female? You got Dr Mercola?s probiotics? How many did you get in total? No way would just taking one have any affect on you, they take time, they need to build up in the system, if it were me I would throw as much as I can at helping myself now, all asap, one of the things which helps some people is orange peel capsules, to maybe thin mucus or make it a bit less lethal, a sort of natural antibiotic, but some say dont take citrus if you have mucus, each person is different. oral prednisolone can give you ezcema and much else. how many did you take for this 5 day course and how often do you take them? they often make things worse in the long run. have you got a nebuliser with saline solution? the more you tell me the more I can get a picture of it all and hopefully say something helpful.

Nonactive profile image
Nonactive in reply to wiserlady

Hi I'm in UK.. 55 male..30 caps DR..Marcella.70Billion cfu....I have no mucous problem while on the Azithromycin I respond well 2 them as they are anti inflammatory consultant said...prednisolone 30mg daily that's 6 tabs...I'm also on the injection 4 my ezcema every 4 months miracle drug but very harmful longterm I know...My ezcema has only become a problem since been taking the Azithromycin over 4years so far every other day....I believe the ruined balance of gut flora is 2 blame as a result of needing the Antibiotics...I'm better now after a kip seem less wheezey and the antihistamine has helped...desloratidine 5mg.....Thx alot will continue probiotics..

wiserlady profile image
wiserlady in reply to Nonactive

Glad you are feeling better. You wil need more biotics. 30 is nothing. You must take them for quite a while before they have a real benefit and with your problems and medication one a day is a drop in the ocean anyway. That is what you would take if you were fine. If you do not have mucus then what is causing the wheezing? Is it the lungs or what?

Nonactive profile image
Nonactive in reply to wiserlady

Just the Ashthma...yes I will order more probiotics just wanted 2 make sure I could tolerate them b4 spending big on them.. ok thanku understood...

wiserlady profile image
wiserlady in reply to Nonactive

Walnuts, brazil nuts and almonds are a very good course of vitamins and minerals, but if you get them do not eat too many brazil nuts or you get a selenium overload.

Nonactive profile image
Nonactive in reply to wiserlady

I'm not allowed nuts as can cause intestinal blockages so I don't need 2 worry in that one..shame as I love nuts..

wiserlady profile image
wiserlady in reply to Nonactive

You can put walnut oil on your salads etc.

Nonactive profile image
Nonactive in reply to wiserlady

Damn good idea thanku..

wiserlady profile image
wiserlady in reply to wiserlady

0) Other possible zinc benefits

Zinc may also be effective for the treatment of:

helping immune system and

preventing and treating pneumonia

Nonactive profile image
Nonactive

Sorry that was 75 percent not 755

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