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antibiotics and Bronchiectasis.

Posted , 13 users are following.

peter_andr05786
peter_andr05786

Hi all

I have a bad chest infection in Jan-Feb and after a scan was diagnosed with Bronchiectasis.I began to fill unwell again last week (Monday) and the doctor said I had another chest infection. I was given Doxycycline ( 1 tablet a day) but my synonyms do not seem any better. I was given a three week course.  My health providers seem little informed about this condition and seem to regard it as a rather insignificant matter but for me its very debilitating. Best Wishes to all. Peter

1 like, 30 replies

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  • Frogwartz
    Frogwartz peter_andr05786

    Posted

    Welcome to the world of bronchiectasis. I was sick every few weeks with a chest infection last year when I was diagnosed. I've been on more steroids and antibiotics in the past year than all my years combined. Have you seen a pulmonary specialist yet? If not, you should ask for a referral. You are right, general health providers seem to be ill informed. You will have to be a strong advocate for yourself. It seems that only people with bronchiectasis realize how debilitating it can be. Doxycycline usually works well for me, but everyone is different with different bugs. If they do a sputum culture, they can determine which antibiotics work best. Best wishes.

    • peter_andr05786
      peter_andr05786 Frogwartz

      Posted

      Many thanks Frogwartz. I have yet to see a pulmonary specialist, when I had my scan they said they had reffered me to the local Chest Clinic, but I have heard nothing, when I asked my doctor for a referable, she said the original appointment said it might take a couple of months, its not urgent, all she tells me is do not worry!! I asked another doctor who gave me the Doxycycline about a proper sputum test, he looked at me as if I came from the moon and shook his head. I am afraid I am not in the best hands at all, which is rather disquieting. No one yet has told me about how bad my condition is. My sleep at the moment is greatly disturbed. Best Wishes Peter.
    • Frogwartz
      Frogwartz peter_andr05786

      Posted

      It took a few months for me to get into to see a specialist as well. My general practitioner also looked at me like I have three eyes when I asked about a sputum culture. Try to hang in there.
  • dancing_queen
    dancing_queen peter_andr05786

    Posted

    I sympathise with you Peter, bronchiectasis is very debilitating but because it doesn't show outward signs if people don't understand the condition they do seem to make light of it.

    Arm yourself with as much knowledge as you can so you will be able to show your health providers, whenever you see them, as to what is happening to you and others. Since I did that with my GPs they seem to have become more knowledgeable and helpful when treating me, and listen to how I feel too.

    Don't despair, Peter, you will get bad days but as you learn to understand your own body you will soon get a lot of good days too.

    Take care

  • Jockeys
    Jockeys peter_andr05786

    Posted

    Hi peter ,I know what your going through and this

    Site is a great place for advice when I'm at my lowest I always get help on here,I have had a chest infection for around 4 weeks now the doctors I have have no idea how to treat me ,sometimes you have to try and help yourself ,get a acapella to clear some of the mucus ,this week I have dragged my self out of bed for work ,but you have good and bad days ,try and stay positive

    Take care I hope you start feeling well again

    Joanne

  • kirst5
    kirst5 peter_andr05786

    Posted

    Hi Peter

    I've had bronchieactisis for two years now and have it quite severe I'm told, I'm currently battling NTM non tuberculos mycobacterium. I have a collapsed third lobe which I'm having surgery to remove. So completely understandable where you are coming from as my general practitioner is not an expert which he is open with but I was fortunate enough he referred me to a respiratory/pulmonary specialist at my local hospital and they are brilliant and always reassure me how debilitating it is. It's family and friends who I find think it's insignificant.

    I've had doxycycline many times and found it to be ok. The medication I take for NTM is a different story.

    This forum has been my saviour although I've been absent for a while Being hospitalised, you'll find lots of kindness.

    Kirsten

  • tony_15641
    tony_15641 peter_andr05786

    Posted

    My husband as been suffering for the last 2 yrs with chest infection was given 7 lots of antibotics in yr which is lot now since we ave got to know he as got bronchiectasis as been given an antibotic called moxifloxacin help get stuff up but my husband said he dont feel any dif will wait till thursday wen he finish 10day course but took 2 yr to find out what is up with im dont know if u feel the same tired breathless all the time
  • peter_andr05786
    peter_andr05786

    Posted

    Hi All. Thank you very much for your comments and understanding. I found them all really helpful. Hopefully my condition will improve soon. It is a very hard at first to understand such a deliberating illness and you feel so alone. At least now I know I am not alone and wish you all my very best wishes. 
  • Susanne_M_UK
    Susanne_M_UK peter_andr05786

    Posted

    Funnily enough, I was prescribed Doxycycline 100 last night by my GP. I don't have a severe chest infection, but am feeling unwell and very short of breath.

    In the past, I've been prescribed Ciprofloxacin because I also have the pseudomonas virus and it's one of a few antibiotics that work with pseudomonas. I don't cough up anything and they only discovered the virus when they did a bronchoscopy.

    Bronchiectasis is a serious illness and your GP doesn't seem very well informed. A chest infection with bronchiectasis can easily become serious and should be treated with respect.

    I am waiting for an appointment with a physiotherapist, who will show me breathing and coughing exercises that will bring up the phlemgh. I was diagnosed in December 2016 and am still waiting for the appointment. I may just have to go private if I don't get an appointment soon.

    Are you in the UK Peter?

    • Jockeys
      Jockeys Susanne_M_UK

      Posted

      Hi I had plursey and a chest infection a couple of weeks ago ,and I was back at the doctors again ,I'm in the same boat has you the doctors don't know what to do with me ,they gave me seroids and amoxicillin the first time round ,it didn't work at all ,now I have co-amoxiclav ,I feel the mucus in my left side and it's uncomfortable ,I was waiting for a phyio appointment and I booked myself in to a private phyio ,she was wonderful I can do excises every day and feel like I'm doing something positive myself .i have ordered a acapella too .I am try to exercise when I'm well and try and stay healthy ,but the last couple of weeks have been a real struggle ,feeling tired is the worst ,i hope you get your appoiment soon and take care

      Joanne

    • Susanne_M_UK
      Susanne_M_UK Jockeys

      Posted

      Thanks Joanne. I am tired all the time, but I also have an autoimmune illness and take steroids (and a host of other meds to counter the effects of the steroids!) for that, so it's a bit of a minefield trying to work out what's making me feel so fatigued.

    • mo_69
      mo_69 Susanne_M_UK

      Posted

      It is hard to believe gps are not truly versed on Bronchiectasis. Took years for me to have to ask to be refered and that is when I found out I had it. I was given a ct scan which flagged it up. I have to give regular sputum samples in so they can distinguish between different bugs. And am given abs accordingly. If you are struggling to get up the phlegm try going on You Tube for excercises or physio. Lots of help on there.
    • peter_andr05786
      peter_andr05786 Susanne_M_UK

      Posted

      Hi Susanne. Yes in the UK. Feeling slightly better this week, but very tired and still coughing a lot. Went back the doctors who put me on Erythromycin. I believe they are really ill informed and not sure what to do. I did a sputum sample and gave it to the nurse last Friday, so hopefully they can see which bacterial is responsible for my recurrent  chest infection. Is it normal to cough all the time with  this disease. I have heard some people always have a form of cough while others do not Best Wishes Peter.
    • peter_andr05786
      peter_andr05786 Susanne_M_UK

      Posted

      Hi Susanne. Yes in the UK. Feeling slightly better this week, but very tired and still coughing a lot. Went back the doctors who put me on Erythromycin. I believe they are really ill informed and not sure what to do. I did a sputum sample and gave it to the nurse last Friday, so hopefully they can see which bacterial is responsible for my recurrent  chest infection. Is it normal to cough all the time with  this disease. I have heard some people always have a form of cough while others do not Best Wishes Peter.
    • Susanne_M_UK
      Susanne_M_UK peter_andr05786

      Posted

      Hi Peter. Let's hope your sputum sample shows what you're dealing with.

      I've just booked a physio appointment at my local private hospital, seeing the physiotherapist my respiratory Doctor recommended this Friday morning. I've waited 4 months to get an appointment on the NHS and still heard nothing, so am now prepared to pay myself.

    • tony_15641
      tony_15641 Susanne_M_UK

      Posted

      Hi susanne so looks like NHS taking to long for physo ive only been waiting month so ive nowt to come seen as u been waiting 4 month surley someone somewhere can deal with wat we ave got wrong with us its get u down knowing it linits u wen ur feeling rough really ope u get sorted
    • peter_andr05786
      peter_andr05786 Susanne_M_UK

      Posted

      Hi Susanne. Fingers crossed the microbiologists might find something to  help . Hope your physiotherapist can also help you. We certainly need all the help we can get. Best Wishes Peter.
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