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Hi all. I've always found this forum to be a Godsend so I hope someone can help me. My last post seems to have gone into space. I've always been able to clear my chest with excercises but now there doesn't seem to be any phlegm so my breathing is so bad has anyone experienced this change? I've always felt very positive but not this time
1 like, 14 replies
jojo40 marion49836
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Hi Marion, I go throw just the same sometimes I bring loads up and then I can go for a while and can't get any up but I can hear it's there just won't come out which makes me feel so weak, I also notes when I gets streed and had not much sleep it's harder, I'm sure most of us who have bronchiectasis are just the same good and bad days . It will come just try and relax I know easy said than done. X
marion49836 jojo40
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Thanks jojo. I think I'm just a misery as it's the first time in twelve years that I have experienced this difficulty. I'm on the 5th day of no clearance so I'm feeling a bit rough
steve62514 marion49836
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Sorry to hear you are uncomfortable Marion. I think members will need you to define "breathing is so bad" if they are to relate any experience they may have to your change in condition - are we talking wheezing, shortness of breath, all the time, worse at certain times; what about coughing? any other changes like tiredness, heart rate? What meds are you currently on?
If your breathing has suddenly started to put you under stress you really need to get this checked out straight away would be my advice though. I say that because I've seen on self-diagnosis websites (official ones like the UK's National Health Service one) about lung & related conditions in general that if you start to develop "breathing difficulties" or significant increase in heart rate that does not go away you should be getting to see a doctor pretty darned quick. Emergency room if you can't get to see your general practitioner same day.
marion49836 steve62514
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elizabeth49611 marion49836
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Sounds to me that it could be that the mucus in your lungs have gotten too thick. Do you use a sodium solution in your nebulizer to help thin the mucus? Drink a lot of water to help thin the mucus. Do you use a flutter valve often? Keep doing your postural drainage exercises. Try a decongestion OTC med, like Mucinex (the blue/white tablets). And, as always, if in doubt, see your doctor.
Good luck, Beth
marion49836 elizabeth49611
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marion49836
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jojo40 marion49836
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Hi Marion Gald you went to see gp , but like you my hospital consult as always told me sterrode are not good to take with bronchiectasis so I just take mucus simple to hospital every time iv got infection and get it tested for right antibiotics and keep a pack of 2 weeks at home for next infection. I hope you feel better soon I'm sure you will good luck. X
marion49836 jojo40
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elizabeth49611 marion49836
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I have been on prednisone for years. I feel it's the one thing that keeps me from having so much mucus in my lungs that I end up in Intenive Care on a respirator for days (that happened in 2007). Since then I have tried to wean off, but I can't get below 30 mg a day. My specialist doesn't seem conserned about me being on it for so long. I understand the long term effects, but like I said, it's the one thing that keeps me going.
carol66580 elizabeth49611
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elizabeth49611 carol66580
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Presdnisone is an anti-inflammatory steriod. With having bronchiectasis, the airways get inflammed causing them to narrow and by narrowing, breathlessness increases and mucus is harder to cough up.
Albuterol, by nebulizer or inhaler, helps open the airways and steriods help keep them open.
Beth
steve62514 marion49836
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I've had 3 pulmonologists (2 different in the UK and 1 in Thailand) recommend the use of Prenisolone (steroids) for a specific stage in the development of my bronciectasis in recent years and none have said it should not be used for the condition.
It does of course have potential side effects from long term use so it would not be my first choice to jump to in my now self-management regime (but I don't get thickened or nil mucus problems .. yet!)
I use acetylcysteine ("NAC Long" - one 600mg dissolving tablet daily) for mucus thinning. Carbocysteine is a very similar drug - the UK seems to go wth that whereas Thailand goes with acetylcysteine. I've taken both and find no difference between them in effect. Both seem low impact for me when it comes to side effects* and if I cut them out of my drug regime I notice a deterioration within a few days, so I have taken it consistently for the last couple of years.
*Actually, having written that I checked Wiki for the spelling and noticed a reference to occasional red itchy skin as a potential side effect; ok so that may explain why I have developed occasional redness/itchiness on the inside of my forearms in the last year or so! Tolerable and easily controlled by using E45 cream after showering though.
carol66580 marion49836
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