Pain in lungs?

[Dawnsunny]

Hi,

It’s been 3 years since I was diagnosed with mild Bronchiectasis and to be honest have only had a couple of infections, so I’ve been very lucky indeed. However this means I haven’t gained confident in treating myself with the rescue antibiotics etc.

Over the past few days I’ve had really bad pains when trying to cough, all around my lung area, I can only liken it to when I broke a couple of ribs. I’ve been taking paracetamol every 4 hours, and due to a change in my mucus I’ve started my cipro (colonised with Pseudomonas 😞) when the paracetamol starts to wear off its back with a vengeance 😩.

No other symptoms ie temp and don’t feel breathless whilst pottering round the house, but may do if striding outside)

I am seeing my consultant tomorrow, if they don’t cancel, but just wondering if anyone else has had this?

Thanks Dawn

[Liberty43]

Hi. My bronchiectasis specialist says that l should only use antibiotics if l feel ill even if mucus looks bad. I am also colonised with pseudomonas. I have taken samples in to GP but when result comes back no cipro is advised. Regarding the tightness round rib cage l usually rub some vicks in that area and my daughter rubs my back. Usually helps me. I am on azithromycin which is certainly helping to reduce infections. Hope this helps. Do you see a bronchiectasis specialist? If not, then l would look for one at your local hospital. Keep safe and well through this crisis.x

[Liberty43 in reply to Liberty43]

Let me know how you got on with consultant, forgot that part of your message.x

[Dawnsunny]

Hi Liberty43, thank you for your reply.

Consultant called me last night, she’s going to consult with the other respiratory drs and see what they think the next course of action should be and call me back sometime today.

Ironically the pain has decided to reduce a little and I had a good nights sleep, only waking once. So hopefully things are getting better 🙏🏻xx

[Dawnsunny]

Liberty43 when you sputum results come back what has it grown?

Thank you re the Vicks suggestion, I have been rubbing it each evening just under my hose and top of chest, but will try other areas too.

One of the respiratory drs is a specialist in Bronchiectasis, they team work at our hospital. Haven’t felt unwell at all other than the pain x

[Liberty43 in reply to Dawnsunny]

Glad you are feeling better, same for me after a couple of days. Regarding my consultant’s advice about ab only if feeling unwell, must admit l do struggle with this as the onus is on me to decide. Generally follow this but concerned that lungs will become more damaged. About the sputum results always pseudamonas. That’s probably why no advice given for ab. Have you had the Shielding letter? if not you should self isolate anyway acc to BLF. Haven’t been out of my flat for over 3 weeks. It’s tough but hopefully worth it. Good Luck!

[Brenda56]

I get terrible pain in my ribs had xray that show fractures Dr said quite common for ribs to fracture with coughing violently like we do unfortunately nothing they can do

[Dawnsunny in reply to Brenda56]

Thanks Brenda, gosh it so unfair isn’t it , the pain has been unbearable at times and it’s been like this for almost 4 weeks

Couldn’t send me for an X-ray because closed at the moment . Not sure they can ever repair if coughing all the time then, so must be stuck with this now 😱

[Brenda56 in reply to Dawnsunny]

I find that if I wear something quite binding across my back an d sides it relieves the pain a little

They used to bind ribs when they were broken for the pressure