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long wait until i see a respiratory specialist

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judy888
judy888

Hi, I'm wondering if anyone has any advice. Ive had a CT scan showing bronchiectasis & MAC infection. However I have to wait 7 months until I can get an appointment with a respiratory specialist (I live in Australia)....I cough a lot and am getting slowly healthier after having bronchitis. I'm 64, ex smoker.....how to stay 'healthy' meanwhile ? Thanks!

0 likes, 26 replies

26 Replies

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  • kirst5
    kirst5 judy888

    Posted

    Hi

    I hope you don't mind me replying. I am currently going through diagnosis. And am too going through on the Gold Coast.

    However I was listed as category one and seen next week after referred by doctor through scans.

    All very new to this and trying to find out information also.

    Kirsten

    • judy888
      judy888 kirst5

      Posted

      Hi and thanks for the reply....i was just coughing ! And wondering about the long wait and just what difference there will be anyway when I see 'the specialist'. My appt is at JohnFlynn hospital. It's quite difficult to get info about this condition. When I asked my GP about any suggestions re the cough, she said that honey is good ! Gotta laugh.
    • kirst5
      kirst5 judy888

      Posted

      Hi

      I am going through Gold Coast university hospital with Dr Feather who I believe is really good as a friend is a nurse at the hospital and confirmed.my doctor was very proactive and ordered blood tests and X-rays when my Symptons got worse. I started getting severe chest pains and coughing blood. First my blood test came back with showing inflammation and some other level I can't remember then Once the X-ray came back showing a large nodule he ordered a CT scan which showed the bronchieactisis over my lungs and more nodules. He did up a referral to hospital and a few days later I was booked in as category one and seen straight away. I have my lung function test on Friday this week and another CT scan next week and following week another hospital apt. Though they said depending on my lung test they see me sooner. The specialist explained and showed me on my scans the bronchieactisis etc. But he did give much more on what happens next until other tests are done, he was concerned about one large nodule and advised on antibiotics he would prescribe after next tests. My go has been good and wants to see me in between hospital check ups and checks my heart with ecg and that. When is your next visit ? The specialist main concern he said was ruling out things that cause it first I gathered.

    • judy888
      judy888 kirst5

      Posted

      It sounds like you have a more severe illness than me - I only cough blood when my throat has become raw from coughing. So just as well that you haven't had to wait long to be seen by the specialist.

      Thankyou for the info about your doctors....my appt isn't until July (!).

      Best of luck with your hospital visits/ lung function test. Wishing you well.

  • sam90709
    sam90709 judy888

    Posted

    Hi guys

    You may have already seen this, but if you hadn't then it might be worth looking on the Lung Foundation Australia website. There's a research programme they're losing at the moment "Australian Bronchiectasis Registry". They have a list of the participating physicians who are all presumably specialists  with an interest in Bx.  There are three in Brisbane

     

    Or have I got where you are completely wrong?

    Cheers

    S

    • sam90709
      sam90709

      Posted

      Sorry... Auto correct badness... "Research programme they're listing..." Not "losing"!

      S

    • judy888
      judy888 sam90709

      Posted

      Thanks for that info....I'm a few hours south of Brisbane so it's a bit too far to travel to ...especially in an old car, while coughing wink good to hear there's some research happening !
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