Shortness of breath, weakness

Hi Sharon , could you possibly have asthma too ?

I was born with BX and feel i get very breathless when my lungs start to fill up with the dreaded disgusting phlegm again. Once I have did my (never ending ) physio and cleared my lungs I feel much better. It is never ending but it's vital to keep on top of it to improve our quality of life.

Best wishes to you xx

Hi Sharon , could you possibly have asthma too ?

I was born with BX and feel i get very breathless when my lungs start to fill up with the dreaded disgusting phlegm again. Once I have did my (never ending ) physio and cleared my lungs I feel much better. It is never ending but it's vital to keep on top of it to improve our quality of life.

Best wishes to you xx

itsstrange you des robing now you feel now because that is exactly how Iam at the moment. I have managed it for years but this year so far I have had two infections and even though I have had antibiotics and steroids for th first time, I am still coughing, bringing up phlegm and feel absolutely exhausted. Having to choose what I do and cannot manage much, back at doctors tomorrow but feel desperate this time. Fingers crossed we improve soon, but your not on your own.

keep fighting, Anne x

it is called:

Carbocisteine

ask your our doctor about it.

can be taken long haul. It is not an antibiotic....

works very well.

Sharon,

You're at the same place I was a few years ago. I'm a 68 yr old female and up until a year or so ago, It was the same cycle, get sick, go to the ER and/or hospital stay and/or a bronchoscopy, feel a little better for awhile, then the cycle would begin again.

Do you have a stressful job? Have you looked at alternatives to taking prescribed meds? Such as: certain vitamins or minerals, essential oils. You may have an unknown allergy to certain foods. Has your specialist tried different meds, if they are not working, talk to him/her. 

I retired from a stressful, but enjoyable, job 3 yrs ago. There were times that I put my job before my health.

I take Turmeric with/pepper every day for its anti-inflammatory properties. Manuka honey has antibiotic properties.

We moved to area of the US that has lower air pollution (we moved to be closer to our kids). 

Two years ago, I had a stem cell treatment done. The additional stem cells were to help repair the damaged lungs.

At this point, I can go about my daily activities with little shortness of breath. It's been over two years that I have not had an ER visit, Hospital stay or bronchoscopy.

I joined this forum over two yrs ago and I learned a lot:

Take control of your illness. Question your specialist. Clearing the lungs. Try alternatives in addition to prescribed meds.  Changes in your diet may help. The internet and this forum are great resources.  

Beth

I imagine that anxiety is a factor in your breathlessness, doing yoga or a similar relaxing exercise would help that. Keeping your chest is absolutely essential if at all possible. I nebulise 5mg Salbutamol, Ipratropium, 6% saline and Gentamicin, a Fostair inhaler, flixonase nasal spray. Carbocisteine two three times a day. Phyllocontin two a day. I have a Ventolin inhaler that I carry with me. I do postural drainage and self clapping followed by huffing and coughing the muck out. I belong to a singing group which has helped me enormously, it helps to increase lung function, promotes socialising and avoids isolation, in all this contributes to an elevated mood with a real feel good factor. You can start out small by simply walking everyday and add activities when you can. After twelve miserable years of constant hospitalisations for two week courses of two antibiotics and the other arm with aminophyline, being beaten up by the physios ( just joking but it could get tiresome!) I finally defeated my bronchiectasis and have stopped it in its tracks with no hospitalisations in four years ! Don't give up, keep moving and socialise, good luck !