Exacerbation
Posted , 5 users are following.
Four months ago I could run/walk a 10 K race. More recently I became very fatigued walking 2 miles. Now I'm exhausted walking a short distance or climbing one flight of stairs. This seems to be an exacerbation of my Bronchiectasis. My concern is: is this the new normal or after the flareup will things get better and I will be able to walk at least 2 miles again. Health authorities tell us we should walk at least 7500 steps a day (that is 3 miles), but that is very difficult. Should I force myself to walk even if my legs ache and I'm so fatigued it is hard to put one foot in front of another. Moreover, after a little exercise I'm exhausted for the rest of the day. (BTW before bronchiectasis I ran marathons and did triathlons).
0 likes, 5 replies
Reglois gary87790
Posted
I know how you feel, before my first exacerbation I used to walk my 7 (now down to 2) dogs the minimum of 5ks, usually 10 and as I live in mini mountains it was a fair work out. Now I struggle with 2kms and absolutely no slopes. For 5 years was diagnosed with asthma even though I kept telling the docs no the inhalers don't work at all.
I would get yourself really checked out, demand CT scans etc, I bought myself an oximeter and took readings when ever I felt out of breathe , kept a diary over three days, I was shocked with the results and so were the docs, hospitalised. Turns out I have Brochiectasis, Pulmonary Fibrosis,, Emphysema and Sysremic Scleroderma and am now on oxygen. Not saying this is your scenario BUT you just proves you really should have a full check up to find out why the sudden decline..
Best of luck hope things turn out fine.
gary87790 Reglois
Posted
Thank you. I coughed for 9 months and the doctor kept saying it was post nasal drip. Finally she ordered a CT scan and it was the CT that revealed I had bronchiectasis. My O2 saturation seems OK. I am scheduled to see the pulmonary doctor in a couple of months. He may order another CT.
Reglois gary87790
Posted
Pleased to hear your sats are ok, that is one good thing. For me it was the exacerbations (3) before any one took any real notice and it was me that decided to do the chart just to show them I was NOT someone with health anxiety. Don't think I would have been any better treated properly, earlier, as all my problems are progressive, three fastish, the bronchectasis, not so fast as I believe I have had that since a teenager, looking back, multiple cases of pneumonia and pleurisy.
Hope you get appropriate treatment.
aitarg35939 gary87790
Posted
Oximeter readings can be deceptive, especially when done while you are seated. Reglois's method of 3 days' worth of readings is excellent. Be sure to note what you were doing: sitting, standing, climbing stairs, etc., for each reading. The pulmonologist will appreciate that diary.
You have experienced a radical change and frankly, your gp sucks. You should've been put through a complete workup. Several kinds of heart issues can produce this drastic change, including hardening of the arteries. Yes, plenty of marathoners have plaque in their arteries. If i were you, i'd demand a bit more care.
debra_28257 gary87790
Posted
You need to go to your Pulmonlogist, I did the same thing and now I have Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Pneumonia in my lungs, this is a deadly lung disease that can kill me at any time, that I can only keep it at bay if I take good care of myself and take my medication, I hope you don't have this but you definitely need to go get checked.