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Feeling so very tired

Posted , 5 users are following.

4jean
4jean

My bronchiectasis has been well controlled with Azithromycin 250 three times a week. Recently started to cough more & bring up a bit more sputum. Sent it for analysis....result came back negative. However I'm feeling so very tired & washed out. Is it likely that this was a false result? Any suggestions? Will be making appointment to see GP but would like to go prepared!

2 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • ruthie2673
    ruthie2673 4jean

    Posted

    Hi Jean.....I too have been well controlled with azithromycin for about a year and recently started to be breathless and feel unwell, but no cough or sputum (I haven't had cough or sputum since being on azithromycin). Have had antibiotics and feeling better, but still breathless and, like you, tired.

    Sometimes if the sputum sample does not get to the lab quickly enough it does not grow anything significant. Did you drop it off at the GP? If so what time I wonder. They tend to send the samples off after lunch at my practice. Anything over a 3 hour delay getting to the lab can mean negative results.

    I usually take mine straight up to the hospital, but then I live very near.

    Do you have a nurse at the bronchiectasis clinic you can contact for advice? 

    With this last bout, having contacted the nurse and seen my GP and still feeling doubtful that I was doing the right thing I e-mailed my specialist and he responded very helpfully within 24 hours.

    If I were you I would send another sputum sample off before you see your GP, contact your specialist nurse and probably start your stand-by antibiotics.

    • 4jean
      4jean ruthie2673

      Posted

      Thanks Ruthie, that's all good advice. It might well have been a bit more than 3 hours but I did take it direct to the hospital. I'm seeing nurse fairly soon & will make appt to see GP. I have a gut feeling that I need different antibiotics but specialist said just to increase Azithromycin as first line of treatment for infection!! I did this a while back but it doesn't seem to have helped. Thanks again.
    • 4jean
      4jean ruthie2673

      Posted

      I've been told to stop Azithromycin for a few days before sending next sputum sample. Is that correct advice do you think?
  • lesley05714
    lesley05714 4jean

    Posted

    Hi Jean,

    I have felt tired today, but I cough quite a lot, even on azithromycin,

    sometimes I find I just need to sleep for a while. If the sun shines, I get more energy, also I have to plan my day with a rest in the afternoon.

    Hope you get it sorted.

    Blessings,

    Lesley

    • 4jean
      4jean lesley05714

      Posted

      Thanks Lesley. Yes I suppose I'm reluctant to give way to the tiredness but maybe I should accept that it's part of the condition.
  • Jelly_Bean57
    Jelly_Bean57 4jean

    Posted

    I feel very confused as have recently been diagnosed with mild Bronchiectasis and k do have lots of other medical issues going on at the moment..... One of which is that I am exhausted most of the time. I asked my Physio if Bronchiecstatis could me the reason for the tiredness and she said no. I just feel that if i don't have an infection at the moment then why would it make me feel tired and that is obviously what she thought and yet I keep reading about people who have Bronch' being tired a lot. Can anyone shed any light on this please
    • 4jean
      4jean Jelly_Bean57

      Posted

      I agree & it's difficult to know if it's the bronchiectasis or something else that's causing the tiredness. The other problem is getting the correct exercise/rest ratio. Again any ideas?
    • lesley05714
      lesley05714 4jean

      Posted

      Hi Jean,

      A rest will recharge your batteries; bronchiectasis means, checking out your activities and knowing what you can do...when I have had lunch I have to have a rest or I can't get through the day. People say ...but you look so well...but the answere is that I am not. Thankfully, my husband understands and is very good at helping me organise time and activities.

      Blessings,

      Lesley

  • murphs
    murphs 4jean

    Posted

    Hi Jean,

    I was just diagnosed with bronchiectasis 3 months ago, after being sick for months.  I was so exhausted all the time.  Really exhausted from doing nothing. Now I only feel exhausted sometimes, like right now, even though I'm better. 

    Good luck to you,

                            Wendy

    • 4jean
      4jean murphs

      Posted

      Thanks Wendy.. Yes I'm not feeling quite so tired now as I did when I posted a week ago so I suppose it comes and goes. Thanks for your support.
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