See him in six months, no info on how to care for it, except albuteral six times a day and meds for a yeast infection and strep in my lungs . I am trying to learn all ican about clearing mucus I lay on my stomach over a chair and cough it up. Does that sound like a good way to do this.
Hello Karyn Its certainly one to clear the mucas, but I thnk a pyhsio therapist would be the best bet to give you an indvidual clear plan `can you ask your doctor to refer you. In my experience GP's don't seem to know much about bronchieatesis only COPD
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Hi Karyn
You might get a comment from me twice as my laptop decided to "have a moment" and I think deleted it, but who knows it could come back any minute now!
Anyway, Welcome .... I am new to bronchiectasis and have found this site to be great in giving support, loads of information from wonderful people who have bronchiectasis. I have bought an acapella device to help clear mucus and used it for the first time today, seems to help me. I lay on the floor to use this device. I also saw a respiratory physiotherapist yesterday, my consultant recommended this. Have you been referred to a physiotherapist? My GP knows very little about this disease and that is where this site has helped me so much.
So again, welcome.
Hello Karyn. I used to lean over a chair to get the rubbish off my lungs when I was a child but there are more comfortable ways to do it. I agree that a session with a physiotherapist would be very helpful if you could speak to your doctor about arranging this. You've got the right idea though. Lots of medicines are very helpful but the basic thing that really matters is clearing your chest every day. Speaking of which I didn't do my physio today.....I will suffer for it tomorrow!
I was diagnosed by a pulmonary doc, he did a broncoscopy to find what was going on, after 20 years of pneumonias (they thought I had asthma, still not sure if I do) finally my breathing was getting compromised and so they did some tests. I will ask him if I can go to a pyhsio therapist, don't know if group health even has them.
yeah, it would be hard to remember, when you are feeling okay, I am still on the antibiotic, so am doing well, then when I get off it, the yellowish mucus comes back, and coughing begins. Am hoping that I will be able to clear my lungs better and keep from getting sick. Every time I gegt a cold I get pneumonia.
You need to go into You Tube and watch videos about Bronchiectasis...you can leard a lot...They are very helpful....and informative..I watch several...helped me alot...
Thanks cynthia, I know there is a ot of good info there....you tube has instruction for everything, even mucus removal !!
Hello Karyn regarding your pneumonia, has your doctor not suggested , that you get vaccinated for this, it is a lifetime vaccination, must be awful to suffer so much because of catching a cold
Hi Karyn and a very warm welcome to you, although sorry you have been diagnosed with bronch.
You sound very proactive, which is great. As far as pysio is concerned, your con should really have referred you to a respiratory physio to teach you all the various techniques and PEP gadgets to find what method suits you best. Learn all you can about bronchiectasis but only stick to reputable sites - Bronchiectasis R Us, Health Unlocked/British Lung Foundation and of course here are all good. Make a list of questions for when you next see your con, but keep it to bullet points or you will get a bit lost.
All bronchiectatics differ in their preferences for mucus clearance. I use various methods - a bit of autogenic, active cycle of breathing but for me I still find postural draining with percussion works best, although it is considered in many quarters as 'old hat', but then I have been doing for many years since babyhood.
Sorry rolled up to check what I had put and Ipad wouldn't let me roll down again!
I also have a flutter and an acapella. The flutter is more robust but can only be used when you are in an upright position. The Acapella Choice is not as robust but can be used when you are in any position.
You should really ask for a referal to a respiratory physio as most of the techniques do need teaching. In the meantime if you find you are getting rid of gunk over the chair good on ya. As long as you donj't have anything else wrong with you you might want to lay over a few pillows with your hips on the top and head on the bed. I think you would be better to do about 20 minutes on either side.
Here is a link to a simple method you could use meantime. It is meant for kids and is written by Great Ormond Street but it's fun and if it does the job hey ho.
You might want to ask con or GP about putting in sputum samples when you feel you have an infection but remember samples do deteriorate after about 3 hours. Also ask if you could have a supply of antibiotics at home once you get used to what your regular bugs are.
Sorry it's done it again. Fingers crossed for the link.
http://www.gosh.nhs.uk/medical-information/procedures-and-treatments/bubble-pep
love cx
Great information, what do you mean when you say "con" ? Is that the specialist? I want to buy a flutter, I know they can be purchased off the internet. My mucus is currently white, cuz I am still on amoxicillin for two more days. I was treated for yeast also, how doa know if that is gone? Would itshow up in sputum sample? I have a mass in my lung, one big area that is growing, what is that, maybe the yeast? The last cat scan it was 10 mm. He does not think it is cancer. They called it a nodule.
Sorry we really shouldn't abbreviate - yes I did mean consultant.
Not sure if you are in the UK karyn but if so you can get the flutter on prescription but some folks seem to have trouble getting them from GP.
Glad your sputum is white now and I hope you are feeling better. Are you asking if the yeast will show up in a sputum sample karyn? You don't say where the yeast infection was. If it was in the mouth or vaginal you will probably know if it's cleared, although you could probably have a swob. If it was in your lungs then you would need to talk it over with your doc.
Sorry to hear you have a nodule but very positive they feel it is benign. What do they plan to do next?
I see the moderators are still checking out the link for the bubble pep. You may find it helpful.
love cx
Oh sorry, the yeast is in my lungs, and he thought the nodule growth may be inflamation. he said I will see him in six months, if all goes well and then maybe they will do another ct , not sure. I live in the US, it is interesting to hear you all talk about health care in the UK. I am on medicare now, (that is our health care for the old people, i dont consider myself old though lol) I am 67, they may pay but if not then I will private pay for the flutter.
Marion, yes I have had the pneumonia shot, but it does not prevent all pneumonia,
and get a flu shot every year.
We do have a moan now and then about the NHS but in reality it is treasured by all of us in the UK. There is sadly quite a bit of privatisation going on and it does concern us we will go down the insurance route.
67 your a spring chicken (saying that because I'm the same age ;-)
Wishing you the best for your future consultation.
cx
I see the link I put on for you has not been moderated as yet, or it has with no explanation.
You can google bubble pep and click on the Great Ormond Street option. Hope it helps. cx
It finally came through, thanks, good to have ideas for getting that mucus out, I also googled and found a video of a little boy doing it, can't imagine how hard it would be to have children trying to do this!