Bronchiectasis

Hi Jen,

dont not worry too much. It doesn't necessarily mean it will spread. It can be contained.

it can only be diagnosed by a CT scan. x-Ray's don't pick it up.

you can lead a normal life when you get your exercises going.

i was diagnosed ten years ago, mine lungs have not deteriorated. 

I live a full life. Just keep on top of it when you need antibiotics.

Yes, do go and see a physio. You only need two sessions to learn excercises. My physio transformed my life I two sessions. Increased my oxygen level by 2%. That is a lot to a human being.

Yes, drink liquids, though too much water and you can dehydrate. 

Good luck, Stay positive.

Hey folks, I am concerned based on my symptoms that I also have Bronchiectasis.  I saw a lung doc about 8 months ago.  Xray showed possibility of this condition but I was too scared to go for the scan.  Well I called the doctor today to schedule a scan. 

My question is rather basic and sorry if stupid, but are steam showers helpful or hurtful for this condition?  In the past, I have used to assist with constantly clearing my lungs, but I am concerned that they also could be opening them up even more and trapping nasty stuff deeper in the lungs.  Does anyone have any thought on this question?

Hi Jen my name is Billy I am from New Zealand and have bilateral bronchiectasers widespread in bot of my lungs I am 53 years old and have been to hospital 64 times to get treated .. I have learned to live with this disability and as I write I am sick caught a bad infection and coughing about 5 cups of fluid .. When I was 15 I was told I would die but I am still here ..They told me I could not work and I did I went for a eduacation .. They said I would be poor but not I own property and they said noone would marry me and Im happily married .. The Illness can wear you out and bring you to your knees if you allow it  .. Here is some tips to help you .. 1 Do your prostural drainage no matter how you feel the more fluid you lose the better you wsill feel ..2 Lately I have been doing natural treatment which has helped with my health and delayed many a hospital treatment so try  natural treatments many good teas in google for lungs and immunity  3 Enjoy every minute of your life every moment of the day and connect to nature 4 Surrond yourself with positive happy honest loyal people ,4 Say hello to the creator sometimes it can be a amusing conversation .. Bronchiectasers has not ended your life it has started it for every victory you have builds up real satisfaction .. May God bless you my friend and may your journey be full of happiness ,,,

Hi Jen

Your post from a year ago has just popped up on the forum. Just wondering how your doing and are you coping with the bronchiectasis?

Rachel x

Hi I have the same. I am happy to read your story it gives hope. thank you

Hello my name is joe and I have had this since I was 17 I'm 36 now , not to say it was easy but don't let it get u down. Weird but the disease has helped me live life don't hold back, I rode rodeo 8 yrs , jumped out of planes, now I've been in and out of hospitals and have 3 coils in lungs and been hospitalized for coughing large amounts of blood , had a successful career , so don't let it get u down

Hey Jen. I had bad bronchial tasks aged 18 and had surgery 41 years ago.  I still swim half a mile every day and easily cycle 20 miles. I'm now 59. Surgery changed my life. There is nothing I can't do that my fit and healthy wife can do. Don't give up! 

Hi Jen

I tried to reply to you last night on my iPad, but I am not sure it worked.  So here goes again.

Please take heart - this thing is eminently manageable.

I will be 60 next February and have led an extremely full and normal life, despite being diagnosed aged 18 in 1975.  

I had had pneumonia several times as a child (which will have caused the initial damage) and always had a productive cough - sometimes coughing up blood.  Chest infection after chest infection punctuated my life - especially in winter - until I was finally diagnosed aged 18.  These were pre CTC/CAT scan days and after two lengthy bronchograms (where they basically drown one lung at a time in barium fluid and Xray it) they diagnosed advanced bronchiectasis in my left lower lobe. I opted for surgery in July 1975 and had the whole lobe removed.

I've never really looked back and life actually got better.  I still cough a little bit (the doc says this is asthma) but I swim half a mile most days, frequently take a 14 mile cycle ride and love long walks.  I qualified as a scuba diver in my twenties.  And I am not a fitness fanatic  by any means!  (My default poisition is on the sofa watching films!)

I used to still get chest infections throughout the winter into my thirties - but I could cope with those.  Then one day my doc advised me to have a pneumonia jab.  So I did and the chest infections stopped.  (He can't explain why this happened but it definitely did!)  If I get even one chest infection in the winter now I consider myself unlucky.

So don't let this get you down.  Try to keep fit and quickly get on top of any chest infections.  

Brochiectasis has never stopped me doing anything I've wanted to do.

It is manageable and you can lead a totally normal life.

Hi Jen, I’m sorry to hear that you’ve been struggling with your condition. It’s certainly very hard to be so young and have such a debilitating illness. I’m responding because I know that Bronchiectasis often results from Cystic Fibrosis, which is treatable through fetal stem cell therapy. You may want to contact Stem Cell of America since they have seen some success in treating patients with chronic pulmonary illnesses. Best of luck to you and feel better!