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Some insight to Bronchiectasis from other people.

Posted , 10 users are following.

apanda80
apanda80

Well I've been poorly with chest infections and pneumonia for about 2 years. I do have asthma so thought it was that. But I decided I had enough of being given antibiotics after antibiotics. So I asked my GP if I could see a respiratory specialist. He sent for me this April and I had heard nothing for months. It got to August and still nothing. So went back to GP and finally 2 weeks later got an appointment. Went there had bloods, sputum, breathing and chest x-ray. Still don't know the results of those. I got sent for a CT scan and about month after that I got a letter saying there's evidence of Bronchiectasis and that he wanted to do a bronchoscopy. That was on the 11th Dec. I'm back to see the consultant on 15th Jan to get those results.  I have been unwell during those months and have been on antibiotics and steroids. But for the last two weeks I have had pain in my breasts/under breasts (ribs) and back. I was wandering if this has anything to do with Bronchiectasis? If anyone could give me some advise it would be much appreciated. 

1 like, 37 replies

37 Replies

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  • janet24
    janet24 apanda80

    Posted

    Thanks. It seems to be a repeat of last year...poorly from Oct - April and then 6 months of  being very well until Oct again...

    I'm really worried about all the antibiotics and reaching a point when it's hard to find one that has any effect. I'm being tried on ciprofloxacin this time... I see the GP tomorrow for a look see, blood test & sputum results. Hope the sputum was worthy of a test because I'm not a cougher... 

     

    • Susanne_M_UK
      Susanne_M_UK janet24

      Posted

      I'm prescribed ciprofloxacin whenever my pseudomonas comes back. Good luck tomorrow.

    • janet24
      janet24 Susanne_M_UK

      Posted

      When I first had my lung function tests etc I was told I didn't have any pseudomonas issues...maybe that's changed?

      Saw the GP...blood test showing a whole bunch of immune deficiency lows...hardly surprising. Sputum was full of candida...I know it's in the roof of my mouth now and I've already used a pessary...sigh. 

      Hardly any significant crackles in lungs now and right lung is expanding better...evidently it wasn't hardly at all last week.

      Continue with ciprofloxacin for the second week and NO MORE STEROIDS!!! 

      Seeing my consultant next Thursday. 

       

    • Susanne_M_UK
      Susanne_M_UK janet24

      Posted

      Once you're off the dreaded steroids, your immune system should get better. Good luck with consultant appointment.

    • janet24
      janet24 Susanne_M_UK

      Posted

      Thank you Susanne. 

      At the moment we're packing up this house to move  on 15th January so that work is a great challenge to my breathing. But hopefully the new place will suit me better health wise. 

    • janet24
      janet24 Susanne_M_UK

      Posted

      Ha ha that would be a nice idea...no, still in sunny Hastings!! 
    • Susanne_M_UK
      Susanne_M_UK janet24

      Posted

      We spent a few days in Hastings in September, first time I'd been there. Stayed in The Old Town, very nice.

    • janet24
      janet24 Susanne_M_UK

      Posted

      Glad you enjoyed the Old Town Susanne. 

      At the end of January 2016 we were off to Tenerife for a couple of weeks.. It wasn't warm enough to swim in the sea but certainly better than UK weather. 

  • carol17480
    carol17480 apanda80

    Posted

    Hi , I had had a bronchoscapy several years ago and was diagnosed with bronchiatasis then after 10 Years of being very ill with one infection after another .The surgery revealed a mucus plug that was removed. I did a lot better for months after the surgery but all of the years of having this really did much damage to my lungs. It is best to get treatment for each time you have a flare up as soon as you can. Good luck .
    • apanda80
      apanda80 carol17480

      Posted

      Hi carol17480, 

      I really can't wait till I get my results. Been a long time since I saw my consultant. Need my results from quite a few tests but most importantly my bronchoscopy. I'm constantly at my gp. Been there today with the pain I've had in boobs, back and ribs and surprise surprise it's muscular. Also asked about the grey/blackish steaks in my sputum and she said it's strange and did a sample. I think I've had this about 2 yrs. constant infections and pneumonia.  So I wouldn't be surprised if there isn't any damage to my lungs. Thanks for replying and I do hope your ok now. 

  • kempes
    kempes apanda80

    Posted

    Hi, I am in the same condition since 2015.  In December 2017   I done private microbiology test of my sputum , was  positive. Many times my respiratory consultant told me I do not have bacteria in my sputum, but sputum test he never ordered. The result show  E coli very resistant  to many  antibiotics.   I worked as a nurse, it was possible infection to be related with my work place.  Regarding this test of MEDICHECKC LAB I had as well Candida , due  to antibiotics which they gave me.   It is hard to have treatment because only injection IV antibiotic can help me.   Now I am very down ,  I have cough, chest pain, pain in my back, bones , ribs and high  pulse.  Most of the time I am  short of breath. I even can not work. I manage to see private respiratory doctor in Germany, I use to work there   , and he told me that my Bronchiectasis are infected in this time . All so ,  he advise me to ask my NHS consultant for MAC test , this is Mycobacterium avium  Complex  bacteria , the most common cause of  Bronchiectasis.  Is very important  infection to be clear, if there is one.  Same times is hard , by this disease we need lot of tests , investigations even CT high resolution  . May I ask you  what is the name of  bacteria identification in yours sputum test?  
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