Bronchiectasis is really starting to get me down

I am sorry you are suffering right now. It sounds as though you are doing the right things. For me, my salvation was discovering azrythromycin an antibiotic which has one magic property the others do not, an anti inflammatory effect. I had seen two physicians and had tried al sorts of inhalers and antibiotics including one in the same class as A, clarythromycin, but it had not worked. After being referred to one of the top guys nationwide, he put me on A. After a few weeks life was different. Of course different things will work for different people so this cannot be a recommendation. However it turned my life around and things only get worse with the inevitable head colds etc and it then takes a while to regain equilibrium. Anyway, this is something of a diversion from me saying that I hope you feel better soon.

Oh have a good vent! Does you good!

Have you been clearing your chest - I.e. doing your postural drainage or similar to get that sputum away. If your lungs are clogged up you just can't breathe. And take your time too - you can't clear your lungs in 5 minutes.

Rest and rest and rest again. Pop a hot water bottle or wheat bag against the bits that hurt.

Really hope you get your anti biotics soon. In the meantime do what you can to make yourself more comfortable.

Have a hug.

So sorry to hear you are having such a hard time. Like broadsword, Azithromycin has made all the difference to me. Hope you get your results soon. I'm sure it must feel like it's going on forever but things will change....just hang in there! It's good to vent (was going to say it's good to get it off your chest....if only!!) Look after yourself.

Oh I hope you get the relief you need Cynthia sending all good wishes 

Oh, I am so sorry that you do not feel well. The last time I had felt so horrible and was missing work so often, my lung doc put me on first Bixan then followed it with levaquin  750 mg.  Do not take them together, they can change the rate of the heart beat. Some docs like to give a give start of steroids, but I was informed that this was not the best for us and would not make a difference.  Can you ask your lung doc to prescribe the couth syrup Tussionex for you. This is my salvation for times when I can not stand the cough any longer. It's a very, very strong cough syrup and it does cost a lot, but it really does calm the cough and I can finally get relief for a bit. Mind you, you must not drive because it is a narcotic. One teaspoon every 12 hours. I find 1/2 teaspoon almost last 24 hours.  No, it is not easy and it is good to be able to vent once in awhile to someone that actually understands what you are going through.  Please take care and let us know how you are doing.

Just a thought about the yeast infection. I am not sure whether you are using an inhaler or inhalers. These do have a tendency to increase the risk of yeast infections in the throat. The risk is greatly reduced if inhalers are only used with a spacer device. Mine is a tube about 2" in diameter and about 7" long.. It is straight sided and travels well. There are other more bulbous spacers. Another trick is to ensure you wash out your mouth after an inhaler with a final water gargle and spit out in the throat. These actions avoided the problems I had.