Desparate for diagnosis
Posted , 2 users are following.
Hi there, I have been reading everyones experiences and as I am now so desperate for help felt I should see what people suggest. 16 years ago, when I was pregnant with my 3rd child I developed wheezing, breathlesness and coughing. I was started on asthma treatment. Over the years I have progressively got worse, numerous courses of steroids and antibiotics which as they are only a 5 day course don't seem to be long enough to really have any benefit! 2 years ago I was finally referred by my GP to a respiratory specialist at local hospital. All he did was put me on seretide and montelukast - which gave a short term improvement in my condition. A year ago I was desperate, every day I cough up phlegm, sticky mostly white but sometimes green stuff, I have had 2 hernia ops, the hernias I know are caused by the coughing and I now have 2 more hernias. I have for the last 10 months been seeing a Thoracic consultant who initially I thought seemed OK but now I think he must be blind or stupid! He has put me on omeprazole to treat the heartburn that I get, eventually decided to do blood tests and a broncoscopy which found bacteria and fungus on my lungs. Then after more blood tests and a CT scan has dismissed me for 3 months to see how I go as he thinks at the most my bronchiectasis is very mild. I totally disagree with his diagnosis and don't know what to do next. Help!! This is really affecting my life badly I cannot work anymore, find going out socially embarrassing as I cough at the slightest thing and I'm so tired and my ribs ache from coughing. :cry:
0 likes, 4 replies
Guest
Posted
Do you submit sputum samples to see if the infection has returned?
There are also several treatments which help reduce lung inflammation,open up the airways and thin out the mucus.
Physiotheraphy is useful to clear out the mucus.
I take the following treatments:
Seretide inhaler to open up smaller airways and reduce inflammation.
Spiriva inhaler to open up larger airways.
Mucodyne tablets to thin out the mucus.
Acapella and Flutter hand held mucus clearing devices.
Continuous antibiotics to keep lung infection at a low level
Physiotheraphy twice a day to clear mucus from lungs
You may of course not need all of these treatments but I have reached this point after having had bronchiectasis for many years and many hours of carrying out internet searches and making myself a nuisance at the doctors surgery! Keep bugging your Consultant/Doctor because improvement is possible.
Hope this helps and let me know if you want more info
Guest
Posted
All the best
Guest
Posted
Kenny1
Posted