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Recently diagnosed

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Jelly_Bean57
Jelly_Bean57

i have recently attended lung clinic and the consultant requested a lung scan and told me he thought I had chronic lung damage When I returned to clinic and saw a different consultant she informed me that I have slight scarring which she thinks has been caused by infection( I have had 7 in one year ,of which 3 have been since October.... Strep pneumonius and haemopholus influenza ) and evidence of mild bronchiectasis. Does this mean that I have  lung damage or not, I'm a bit confused and should have asked the question in clinic. I also have a small nodule which they will scan at intervals of three months for 2 years. I have been exhausted since September and get run down very easily if I do too much I pay for it a few days later. I have been referred to Physio, advised to take antibiotics when infection starts again and to be revised in 3 months. I have gastric problems and acid reflux which she thinks I am aspirating and causing the infections. I have now been off work( I work full time) for 4 months. Does any of this sound familiar to anyone and if so I would welcome any advice. 

1 like, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • joy23863
    joy23863 Jelly_Bean57

    Posted

    Hi nan anngel. I,m sorry to hear your having problems with your breathing, if you have had several infections then you will have scaring and your consultant is right to get you to have physio, did you ask to see your X-ray and get the the consultant to show you where the scarring and nodul was? Get all the information you can and write down the questions you want to ask so you don't forget, they don't mind you asking. I also get reflux acid I find this makes me unable to breath it's something else you have to get investigated to make your life less hard and your breathing easier. I have bronchiectasis and diverticulitis,when the diverticulitis plays up then my chest becomes much worse and the infections don't go. I hope your able to answers and you feel much better very soon. Take care. 
  • sdawoolsey
    sdawoolsey Jelly_Bean57

    Posted

    Acid reflux can make symptons and illnesses much worse. I had this & did not know it & I was always feeling exhausted, unwell, unenergetic & slept alot. After it was treated, much better all round!

    I strongly recommend  you visit a respiratory expert, not just a GP. My respiratory physician manages my bronchiectasis & it makes such a difference to your life.

    4 months off work? It seems to be you need a better doctor or at least, a respiratory physician. So take control.

  • ruthie2673
    ruthie2673 Jelly_Bean57

    Posted

    If you have bronchiectasis then you have lung damage. No-one seems quite sure of the cause but it is thought it could be related to childhood infections, episodes of pneumonia or acid reflux or a combination.

    Luckily yours is only mild. Help from the physiotherapist to learn how to cough up the mucous is important and the standby antibiotics, and regular follow up by your consultant all of which you have.

    Sadly GPs do not appear to be well-informed about this disease, hence most of us have been suffering for some time before we get the correct diagnosis, and even once that has been made, in my case my GP was still fairly useless, handing out an inappropriate antibiotic and making ignorant comments. Therefore you need to remain under the care of your specialist.

     

    • mo_69
      mo_69 ruthie2673

      Posted

      Sadly my doctor is useless and obviously looks at Bronchiectasis as a "chest infection" handing out prescriptions like sweeties. I am now under a hospital chest clinic ans even thought the dr. gets letters updating on my situation they cannot prescribe the correct medication. I always have to go back and ask them to check their details and amend my script. I am supposed to have 7 days Co-Timoxazole dose 2 twice a day which in my book means 28 tablets. But doc prescribes 10 tablets 1 twice a day. I am sick to death of having to check my medication and am beginning to lose faith altogether. Can anyone tell me if Carbocisteine is good for clearing muscus would you reccomend it. 
  • joy23863
    joy23863 Jelly_Bean57

    Posted

    I had a childhood infection when I was 6 weeks old and I was diagnosed with bronchiectadis aged 7, I had years  oif pneumonia pneumonia which left me with scaring on both lungs, a lobectomy was performed when I was 7 on my right lung. Get the right consultant and all the information you can, get in touch with the British lung foundation who will send you leaflets on your condition, keep up with the posteral draining and antibiotics by you. Try not to worry it makes the condition worse and have a good diet. 
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