Bronchiectasis

Hi Diddlums,

What dosage of Azithromycin do you take?

Tessa

taking 250mg mucus is reduced cough now and then to relieve the mucus in my lungs not as good as when I first took this azithromycin coloured mucus coming back wonder how long I can stay on this drug

I have been very interested in everyones experiences. I was diagnosed with bronchiectasis when I was 3 after having whooping cough at 2 weeks old, it developed into pneumonia. My parents were told I wouldn't last another 6 months, however that was 55 years ago and I am still going strong and at the moment reasonably fit! I can remember as a child doing lots of postural draining and coughing up as much as possible. I was encouraged to exercise as much as I could, and at 6 years old took up ballet. I eventually became a dance teacher and taught for over 30 years. I have consumed huge amounts of antibiotics over the years and had a bout of pneumonia in my 40's but have always managed to get back to the exercise. However in the last 3 years I have had a few injuries - a severely broken leg (sledging) 6 broken ribs (mountain bike) ligaments in both knees (skiing) so exercise has been a problem. In July I had a chest infection that didn't respond to the first lot of antibiotics but fortunately did to the second lot. I also have osteo-arthritis in my neck. I decided then that the exercise would have to start again in earnest (I had become lazy!) So now I jog 4 times a week for 30 mins do a circuit class once a week and walk twice a week. Each time I get home I do my breathing exercises and cough up as much mucus as I can. This seems to be working along with a healthy diet, I've lost a bit of weight and feel much better with more energy. So to sum up, don't let it beat you, you CAN keep going and have a good life, I have 3 children a wonderful husband and so far a great life with which I hope to continue with for many years to come. A great website with very informative forum is BRUS (Bronchiectasis Are Us)

Good luck to you all

Huffpuff

Hi I also find this condition a little strange! My experience has been very similar to that of Joanna. I am now 45 and was diagnosed 12 months ago having had recurring chest and throat infections since my late teens. These were usually but down to tonsillitis and I eventually had them removed 3 years ago. however the chest infections continued and last year I ended up in hospital with pneumonia. My GP dismissed this as one off but agreed to refer me privately to a chest physician who was the first person to take my 3 or 4 yearly infections seriously. This led to me being diagnosed with mild bronchiectasis. I now have an emergency supply of antibiotics to use when an infection comes on and I am well supported by the Respiratory Specialist Nurse service. The amazing thing is that I have now gone a whole 9 months without a single infection and apart from tiredness I feel really well. I am so sorry to hear you have to leave your job. Is this your own decisions or have others advised that you need too? I have always worked as a professional healthworker and have found my employers more understanding of my occasional sickness absences now I have a diagnosis. Please do not rush into a decision. Kind Regards Victoria

Tessa:

I am prescribed one 500mg tablet of azithromycin to be taken on alternate days.

Hi Jen,

Sorry to hear you have bronchiectasis.

I am 41 this year and found out when i was 13 after years of chest infections and being told i was asthmatic that i actually had bronchiectasis. When i found out i was upset, angry but also pig headed and refused to let this take over my life. I have worked for over 20 years in the catering industry, i go sking, swim and exercise regularly which i believe is the key to keeping healthy as exercising your lungs helps to keep them clear of phlegm thus reducing the chance of infection. If i get an infection i make sure i deal with it straight away using antibiotics and make sure i get the phlegm tested so they now what bugs they are treating. In january of this year the doctors put me on mucodyne which i take daily, this has helped keep my lungs clear and since starting them i haven't had any infections. Draining your chest daily is also important.

Since being diagnosed i have only been admitted to hospital once due to catching flu.

kind regards and good luck there's no reason why you shouldn't lead a normal happy life

azithromycin has really worked for me hardly any mucus cough has stopped combined with omeprazole I now lead a proper quality of life

hi Jen

Please believe that there is hope.

I was feeling like you before I was recommended by a lady on a bronchiectasis site to use Arurvedic treatment. She was so ill and after 8 months her life completely changed. I contacted her to find out more and since then a lot more people have tried and are doing so well you would not believe. Unfortunately many people don't know anything about it and are scared to try. Ayurveda is an ancient treatment and has been used in India for 1000 years. Of course one has to be careful which doctor to see and the origin of the medication. It is important to have treatment with a recognised , and honest doctor.

Should you want to find out more please just ask.

Good luck with your treatments

Hello everyone,

Hope you are all feeling ok.

My Dad has been diagnosed with Bronchiectasis. His cough is so bad, you can hear the mucus moving up his chest. He wheezes really badly and rattles when he sleeps. He has lost so much weight recently (12 lbs in 2 weeks) and has antibiotics that are making him feel worse?! I have researched and exercise and diet seem to help however I was wondering if anyone has any tips for sleeping, coughing and the fatigue? These are what affect my dad the most. As you are living with these symptoms i really hope you have a few tips to simply make his life a better quality.

Wish you all well.

Thank you very much X

In my experience there is no magic bullet with this condition. Dad must continue with the antibiotics as prescribed. He must also get the stuff out of his chest through breathing exercises and postural drainage. If he is not clear what is required or needs training get the GP to refer him to a physio. It would be a good idea to have someone with him who will be able to help him with the postural drainage two or three time daily.

I practise postural drainage twice daily, but if the stuff builds up it is necessary to do it more than that.

If you have bronchiectasis you must take antibiotics if you have an infection which means for some people nearly all the time.Has your Dad had a sample of sputum taken for analysis so that the infection can be identified so the correct antibiotics can be used?

There are inhalers which can open up the lungs so that mucus can be coughed up more easily during physiotherapy or postural drainage.There are several inhalers which I have used such as atrovent,salbutamol,spiriva, and seretide which are all worth trying but in a lot of cases you need to push your Doctor to try them out.

Hope this helps

I am Female ..60 from India. I have had asthma for a pretty long time - 30 years. But it was under control with broncho inhalers, etc.

About a year back, I had TB. I had to be hopitalised and put on ventilator...and then on 24 hour oxygen. I also had pneuomonia.

I was diagnosed with Bronchiectasis. Now I can walk and do some exercises. But I have a lot of mucus secretion.

Can any one advise....about exercises...particularly swimming, etc. and also abou the life style I should follow.

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