just diagnosed

Hi Joyce,

Do have a look at all the other threads on this forum, there is such a lot of information and people willing to share their symptoms and treatments.

I have had it for a few years and basically, as infections occur, the treatment is antibiotics; this is as a response to a sputum test through your doctor, sent to the hospital and then the hospital recommends the correct antobiotic for the bug identified.

Ask the doctor about physiotherapy, to teach you how to bring up the mucus in your lungs every day with the help of a 'flutter' device. basically breathing. There are lots of videos on youtube to help.

The other thing is to work out your day so that you get a rest as bronchiectasis is known for reducing your energy...rest, I rest in an afternoon 30/40 minutes laydown is really good.

I have never heard of Rheumatoid arthritis causing a build up of mucus in the lungs, it sounds quite implausable. Look it up on the web, for lots of info...

Blessings,

Lesley

Hi Joyce,

As Lesley reports there are lots of information on this site. Without knowing it is possible that you may have a lowered immunity due to medicines for the RA  which could have triggered a chest infection and mild pneumonia with a blockage of lung and subsequent developement of bronchiectasis. Drugs like methotrexate and salazopirine may cause your immune system to leave you open to chest infections.Your GP should put you right. Good luck.

Hello Joyce.

I was diagnosed with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis about two years ago and was informed  -  having undergone a series of examinations and CT scans  -  that my childhood pleurisy and later teens tuberculosis has left scars on my lungs open to infections and consequently exacerbations of my condition. So you may see that there are myriad ways of 'acquiring' bronchiectasis, and as Lesley says, this forum is the right place to get your particular bearings about this unfortunate lung condition. Expectedly, the co-morbidity of other conditions whch drag one down contribute to an overall suppression of good health, but I would hesitate to link your RA as a direct cause of bronchiectasis.

Dear Joyce...sorry that you have this diagnosis now as well as RA. Contrary to other opinions here I think the info you were given is correct, although it isn't the RA that has caused the bronchiectasis, rather it is the fault in the immune system that has caused your RA that is also resposible for the bronchiectasis.

Hopefully your doctor has now referred you to a specialist in bronchiectasis where you will receive the correct treatment which consists of physiotherapy and antibiotics as needed in response to the culture of a sputum sample.

Hi Joyce,

Some good replies...and I agree entirely about the immune system which I hadn't thought of. The immune system needs building up, so juicing vegetables daily may help. Hope all goes well with your GP appointment,

Blessings,

Lesley