Bronchiectasis and long covid

[Emily-G]

Hi, I’m about 3 months into my bronchiectasis journey since my diagnosis earlier this year. My 3 month azithromycin trial went well and is now on my repeat prescription list (with it feels like a million other things )

I went for assessment for pulmonary rehab and the physio decided I’m too affected by long covid for pulmonary rehab right now. It’s well over a year since I had covid so I am a bit disappointed.

I am really struggling with 2 things still. 1 is holding my breath for the cycle breathing for chest clearing - my physio has me doing in for 2 hold for 2 take a little gasp in and breathe out which has made things easier

The other is tiredness. Doing the smallest thing sends my heart rate sky high, my colour goes and I’m breathless and dizzy. I always thought it was asthma related but my physio says it’s long covid. Has anyone any tips for managing energy levels/rest with asthma, bronchiectasis and long covid. This has me so completely floored and doesnt seem to be improving at all which is v frustrating.

sorry for being moany, I know I am lucky to be as well as I am otherwise, hugs to anyone who needs one , Emily xx

[Mooka]

Hi Emily I can’t help you as I don’t have asthma. If you repost in lung conditions thread you’ll find lots of people on there who do

[Emily-G in reply to Mooka]

thank you, will do xxx

[papageno]

Hi Emily,

You may wish to screen an excellent webinar hosted last Friday by the European Lung Foundation "Bronchiectasis Question Time" which had extreme fatigue as a question and was answered by clinicians. The webinar can be found on Youtube at:

youtube.com/watch?v=Z2B-yX2...(Not working as expected?)

As you may know, July 01 was World Bronchiectasis Day. We have come a long way in less than 10 years, when many clinicians had no clue about Bronchiectasis and recorded every patient as suffering from COPD...

[Emily-G in reply to papageno]

thank you for the recommendation, I’ve started to watch and already so helpful. Xxx

[Jue5]

Awww I feel for you..my only advice is listen to your body.you have good and bad days.bad days need lots of rest doing absolutely nothing..its frustrating when you want to do something or have something planned but can't.. I'm 2 yrs on long covid,asthma,emphysema and bronchiectasis and I am getting more days when I can do things. Just takes patience and time.and eating well.keep going your doing great

[Emily-G in reply to Jue5]

I’m very lucky that my physio is very understanding and my husband can see my skin changing colour when I feel really bad and is good at helping me to rest when he can.

We have a wedding a week today which I am really looking forward to so will be trying to do less next week in the hope of having my best energy for Saturday.

Hope you are doing as well as possible in the heat. Thank you for your kind reply xx

[Jue5]

Hi Emily have you your heart checked.recent ecg.i was same and they've just done ecg and found some of it is my heart.ive been referred urgently to cardio at hospital..its worth asking if you ha ent been checked.good luck with your recovery

[Emily-G in reply to Jue5]

I had a ecg before I started azithromycin- my heart in that was faster than ideal (it’s always over 100bpm) but not irregular. The physio measured my heart on a sit to stand test and it went loopy

I have bloods going off this week to rule out thyroid, vitamin/‘mineral stuff - I have a gp appointment to look at the results so I can ask then

Hope your heart appointment is helpful

Emily xx