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more questions than answers....

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david_25160
david_25160

hello, as you may know I'm only quite recently diagnosed with Bronchiectasis, and still quite afraid of the ongoing pain and lack of breath that haunts me. Initially the hospital prescribed 7 days of 3x500mg Amoxycillin for a right lung infection, got an additional 7 days from my GP, I'm on the 10th day in total, and still have stabbing back pains and wheeze on exhalation of breath, sputum is a funny light greeny yellow colour (apologies) question is, how much longer do I suffer? Is it usual for infections to linger so long? using more Ventolin than normal, perhaps me panicking! When you are on your own these things seem amplified somehow, thankyou for taking time to read my plea smile

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • dancing_queen
    dancing_queen david_25160

    Posted

    Hi David. 

    Such a a shame to hear you are suffering like this. My last infection, which Is still lingering a little regarding the cough and sputum, started in October. Although I'm not on my antibiotics now, like you I take Amoxicillin, 1000mg three times a day and at least for two weeks. I also use an Acapella, which helps me to clear the congestion, whenever I can feel my chest getting "clogged up". Even when I'm feeling pretty normal I still use it once a day. It never goes away completely but some days are better than others. Hopefully, you will soon start to feel a little better. 

    • david_25160
      david_25160 dancing_queen

      Posted

      thankyou dancing queen, alas I have yet to have an appointment with the fizzy-o to teach me the postural drainage actions to help me, I will give it until Monday morning and visit GP if needed for further, or different antibiotics, bless you for your kind words.
  • Operalyn
    Operalyn david_25160

    Posted

    David infections can last a long time. But if you've had two weeks antibiotics and no improvement then you need another antibiotic I would guess. Must say amoxicillin hasn't helped me for ages. If you are feeling really poorly get in touch with your specialist. A call to his secretary would be a good start. Pain is horrible but not unusual. Have you been clearing the mucus from your chest every day? That's just as important as taking your antibiotics. If I am really poorly I will do my postural drainage twice or even three times a day. Rest a lot. Clear your chest. Get back to the doctor asap. Contact your specialist if you can. Put a hot water bottle or wheat bag against the painful area. Have nice warm steamy baths or showers. Take care of yourself. 
    • david_25160
      david_25160 Operalyn

      Posted

      oh bless, thankyou for kind words, sadly I have yet to receive an appointment with the fizzy-o to show me these postural drainage actions! grrrr the price I pay to live in the Scottish Highlands, an NHS service stretched beyond it's limits. Will plead with my GP on Monday if no better, I seem to remember the consultant saying he was happy for the GP to handle me treatment, perhaps I have to attend more often to get what I need, but I do'nt want to fuss too much.

       

  • Operalyn
    Operalyn david_25160

    Posted

    Fuss away! You will never control bronchiectasis properly until you learn how to clear the muck away! Seriously it really is important. You will feel so much better when you get your chest clear and you learn to breathe properly. You need help. Bronchiectasis is no picnic but it doesn't have to ruin your life.

    All the very best.

  • mo_69
    mo_69 david_25160

    Posted

    Saw the physio on Wednesday he told me how to try and get rid of the “muck” off my chest as I was having no luck. First he asked me if I had osteoporosis which I have. He told me he would try a little physio first which I could maybe get my hubby to do he got me to lie on the bed on my back and put one hand under my shoulder blade and one on top of my chest and really pressed very hard and shook me. He repeated the same on the other side and when I got off the bed he got me to “huff” really hard while leaning forward and I got rid of quite a bit.  He told me to sit on a chair at home upright and take four breaths in normally and exhale then bending as far forward as you can “huff”  really hard and if it doesn’t get the phlegm up try again but don’t let it go back down. I told him I sometimes have to swallow it as I am not in a place where I can do anything else and he said that was ok if it couldn’t be avoided. He told me to do this for about 15 – 20 mins once maybe twice a day unless you felt the need to do more. The Carbosisteine seem to be helping too they definitely thin the mucus. If I was you I would DEMAND to see a specialist the GP in my opinion is not able to treat the bronchiectasis correctly. You cannot muck about with lack of breath for heaven’s sake. Make them stand up and take notice of you.
    • david_25160
      david_25160 mo_69

      Posted

      can I ask if you also have asthma Mo? there seems to be confusion with my doctor between asthma and the bronchiectsasis, I have both apparently, needless to say neither inhaler seems to be having much effect either, and god yes, the ability to breath is paramount and when I can'nt do it properly day after day it scares the hell out of me, trying to stay calm is'nt easy, it does'nt seem right that all the advice I'm getting is through this website does it? Although I'm eternally greatful to one and all, thankyou!
    • mo_69
      mo_69 david_25160

      Posted

      I was told by my doctor when i was going for constant "chest infections" as they called it to try various inhalers none of which made any difference. They always said because I had smoked 20 years ago that was the problem "I was telling them what was wrong and they were teklling me no it is not like that" I was convinced they didn't believe that i had even tried them. One day at the surgery the Asthma nurse took me in to do a reading on her breathing machine and asked if I had used my inhaler that morning which i hadn't. She said we will do the test and then you can use your inhaler and sit outside in the surgery for 15 minutes and then we will repeat the test. It showed no change whatsoever so I was told not to bother with the inhaler anymore. I have had every colour you could imagine and the steroid one to no avail. It was after 5 doses of Antibiotics I asked to be referred and as I have said they did a CT scan at the hospital and I now know which direction I am going in. I can phone them if I am in trouble and there is always someone "except weekends" to advise. Depending on the sputum sample I put in determines the neccessary antibiotic. I have to admit that even the latest draining methods don't appear to produce very much sputum so will wait and see how it goes and if no change can contact the physio. I don't have any pain for which I am grateful and if my breathing ever gets as bad as yours I would probably panic. I would definitely haunt them until I get results. I shouldn't make all that difference that you are living where you are except maybe their knowledge is limited. Like I say it is your body and you know if it is not right and you have the right to the best treatment wherever you are it is a shame we have to make a big deal of it.
  • Sparkright
    Sparkright david_25160

    Posted

    Hello David

    I know it is very disturbing to be informed that you have Bronchiectasis. Unfortunately, the phlegm is part and parcel of this condition. As everybody has said, clearing is the most important aspect of keeping infections at bay. I have used up countless pots as part of clearing. I think I must have a phlegm factory in my lungs seeing how much I manage to bring up! Keep at it, and you will slowly get into the rhythm of regular postural draining. Also, if you can keep on with some regular exercise, that really help.

    i had got into a bad breathing habit, by using only the upper part of my lungs. I now practise with a DVD made by Anne Pitman. This has helped me to slowly start to breathe deep into the lungs. You may find this useful as well.

    Best of luck, and hope you start to feel better soon.

    • david_25160
      david_25160 Sparkright

      Posted

      hello Sparkright, therein lies my 1st problem, despite the consultant telling me I was being refered to the fizzy-o to be shown the various exercises for postural draining, you guessed it, yes I'm still waiting, nothing, but nothing happens very quickly up here regarding the NHS, had I been an animal requiring treatment then the SSPCA would have sorted me out weeks ago, sorry for the moan!
  • reg1945
    reg1945 david_25160

    Posted

    hi david     did you try  steam as a  measure to clear sputum ? its helps break it up  to be more fluid ,therefore asier to expell  using the huff method.  also   maybe another antibiotic such as  co-amoxiclav 650  will work on your infection.   but you need up to  17  days  for it to become  totally active,,  good luck   
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