bronchiectasis

I was a heavy smoker from about age 16 til I was in my 30's. I started to stop smoking after my diagnosis for bronchiectasis in my early 30s.. I'm in my 60s. I had a scan a couple of years ago and was told that I also have emphasema, so smoking exacerbated the lung damage I suffered as a child. Surely it's a 'no-brainer' that people with chest diseases should not smoke. I know it's not easy giving up though, and it took me several years.

John 

Hi,

I would hope not! I was told many years ago that smoking would be foolish for any patient with bronchiectasis & would reduce your llife expectancy drastically. Do you smoke?

Hi jojo, I dont smoke but I do wonder if when I was younger I was in London during heavy smog it was so bad you couldhardly see in front of you, buses had to stop, most people covered their mouths soas not to inhale. Doctors tll me it was probabely caused by an infection that never cleared up when I was  a child but I wonder.

hi Jojo40... wow... you sound exacty like me! I was too embarrassed to ever say I smoked on here! I have had pneumonia 3 times in the last 3 years and I'm just getting over another chest infection.  I am smoking 42 years..... I am 55, and it's so difficult to quit! I have 2 E cigs and I am now on Champix Tabs. I am hoping I can quit with these. Good luck with giving up, and let us know how you get on. I will too. My kids and family are always on my back over smoking, but I don't think they realise how hard it is to give up. Keep strong. xx 

hi Jojo40, I have this a long time I also have Asthma but really got worse and bad just over 3 years ago when I got my first bout of pneumonia. It seems there's no stopping this now. I just keep getting chest infections, but I have started Manuka honey and I really think this has helped keeping it at bay. And I take vitamin C. My friend gave up at 65 after taking the Champix. Ive only just started them again... and yeah I felt sick yesterday. I'll keep taking it though and let you know.

I used to smoke 25 years ago. I have always worked with peopel with mental health problems. I worked in a home with 3 guys who smoked 20 cigarettes each a day and we only had one living room. I continuall asked for a conservatory to be added to the back as a smoke free room, but was told they couldnt afford it! I passively smoked 60 cigarettes a day for 3 years!

I have had bronchiectasis since childhood affecting one lobe upper left I believe. I worked for 45 years as a nurse and started smoking at 18 years old. I gave up probably 18 years ago.It was hard because lots of nurses smoked and GPs and surgeons . I tried several times and was secretly smoking away from the house.Eventually I found for me that the best way was to cut out completly avoid areas where people smoke(easier nowadays) and just do the cold turkey.I read somewhere that cigarettes and nictine is more addictive than canabis or cocaine. I am sure someone with more knowledge will dispute that. Lots of things are addictive and difficult to give up , chocklate, coffee, tea ,sugar,alcohol are all very hard to go without for any length of time. I never used any other aids, patches etc. I have amoxicillin for emergency, but only used less than 1 yearly , take the flu jab . I did have an episode x 2 of haemoptosis which was really frightening but the last time was 20 years ago but I live in fear sometimes.Still that is why I have a course of antibiotics because a neglected infection can cause a bleed. Try hard to give up the fags but take one day at a time and sink the extra money into something else. Good luck keep well!

I was a heavy smoker and i was able to just stop, i think it was fright as had a small patch of cancer on my lung,I have had severel scans all come back different last one was nothing there, I have been diagnosed with bronchiectasis recently, my breathing and amount of phlem is chocking me, I have just finished two week course of antibiotics with no results. I have been trying to get a drs appt but not till 23 july, its disgusting this diagnosis is new to me and i dont know much about it.

I was a light smoker for years.  I really enjoyed it. I quit 8 years ago and am so happy that I did.  It's so hard to quit, I never thought I'd be able to do it , and if I can do it, you can too!