Opinions please !
Posted , 4 users are following.
Hi all , and hope you are staying healthy in these worrying times . I was diagnosed with Bronchiectasis 5 years ago after a bout of pneumonia . I had no idea i had this disease. Since, fortunately , i have only had 1 mild chest infection ( well , i think it was , but maybe it was a very mild coronavirus ) back in Jan.
In the UK , they are now saying if you are in High risk groups , you should stay indoors for 12 weeks .
We moved to a new area a year ago, unfortunately , my new GP practice has not been that proactive in getting me registered with the respiratory team locally , I used to get seen by a respiratory DR , once a year and had access to local community nurses should i have a problem. Fortunately , i never needed that service . Now though , I would like advice , I was told I had a very mild form of this disease , and I don't know whether , I should be staying in ?
My job, is airline crew , I'm not flying much currently for obvious reasons , and I am PRAYING that shortly , I won't be flying at all ....any advice please , and of course , would be very interested to hear from anyone in the same profession too ?
THANKS GUYS , and stay well !
0 likes, 2 replies
sallyGB Bricklayer
Edited
Hi Bricklayer
Diagnosed about 7 years ago, I too was told that I have a mild form of bronchiectasis and, like you, I'm fortunate in that the condition hasn't affected my life too much. I've probably had a few more chest infections in the past 5 years than you however, and am plagued by a cough that comes and goes. I'm assuming that a diagnosis of bronchiectasis, even if mild, makes us more 'at risk' than most and so I've been perhaps more careful than some to avoid contact with people (ie. the 2 metre rule) over the last 10 days or so and to hand-wash repeatedly. Age will also affect where on the 'at risk' scale we appear as well (I'm 63). Basically I'm being as cautious as hell and, apart from a daily walk in the countryside away from others, I'm staying at home. Having any sort of respiratory condition, even if mild, surely makes us especially vulnerable should we catch Covid-19. I swear by turmeric (a natural anti-inflammatory) tea and turmeric tablets and am determined to enjoy the 'new normal' & the coming of Spring
as much as I can. Take care of yourself, all fellow bronchiectesis-ites out there, and wishing you well! Sally
aitarg35939 Bricklayer
Edited
Did you test positive for COVID-19?
By the time i was diagnosed w/BX 3.5 years ago, i already had a moderate to severe case. I have some N-95 masks, which i use in public in every cold-flu season, and must also use them to help with pollens/mold.
Yes, if you have BX you are more susceptible. In those dead, widened spaces in your lungs, mucus & everything you inhale collects. There is no longer the natural ability to move stuff out of those areas. They are dark & moist, the perfect growing medium for everything bad. That is all a quote from my pulmonologist. Some but not all of us produce vast quantities of mucus & work hard to get it up & out, to lessen the petri dish effect.
Since your BX is mild, start now doing everything you can to maintain all the lung health/strength that you have now. Look up breathing exercises & do them.
Take care & good luck.