I am 61 years of age and have been diagnosed with mild Bronchiectasis this year, I've had constant infections from January to mid July, and have now had 4 weeks where I feel well, with no infections, which is brilliant. I am a bit confused as to whether or not I should carry on using the flipper device, which leads me to ask whether the Acapella device is better than the flipper or not. Also I do feel really tired which is concerning me, is this normal whilst in a well patch, is it just part of the condition.
My other concern is about Carbocisteine, which seem to cause me to get really constipated, has anyone else had the same problem and is there an alternative.
I have total trust in both my doctor and the chest specialist, but am the kind of person that needs to know all the facts, and would like to hear from fellow sufferers, mainly to put my mind at rest
As you can see from the above, I am confused, and just need to understand my condition, so I know what to expect.
Thanks, Aileen
Bonjour Aileen,
J'ai également la soixantaine et j'ai une bronchiectasie (Bx) légère à modérée. Je n'ai aucune expérience des médicaments ou des dispositifs médicaux que vous mentionnez, mais je peux confirmer que votre expérience d'infections répétées, suivie d'une période de bien-être, est normale pour les personnes souffrant de Bx. L'imprévisibilité de cette affection est l'un des nombreux défis auxquels sont confrontés les patients atteints de Bx. Les réponses aux différents médicaments disponibles semblent aussi variables que nos réactions individuelles à différents agents pathogènes. Apprendre à se connaître et à connaître ses symptômes est aussi important que de s'assurer que vous prenez le meilleur médicament pour vous. J'alterne deux antibiotiques différents - Co-amoxiclav et Ciprofloxacine - lorsque j'ai une infection. J'utilise également une bouffée de Ventoline le matin et le soir. Je consulte les spécialistes à l'UCH de Londres tous les six mois et il y a quelques années, l'un d'entre eux m'a mis sous Spiriva une fois par jour. Cela a fait une grande différence sur ma capacité pulmonaire et a réduit mes infections à environ 4 par an en moyenne, mais, comme je l'ai dit, cela peut augmenter ou diminuer sans raison apparente.
Meilleures salutations,
John
Hello John
Thank you so much for your reply, which is very helpful. It seems we are all as individual in our treatment as we are in ourselves. I have taken more antibiotics this year that ever before, but the one that worked for me finally was doxycycline. I has a broncoscopy because I can not provide a mucus sample, and the result was mild Strep pneumonia, but I suspect this had caused my constant infections fro early January to July.
The consultant has said that they will need samples of mucus with each infection, so they can give me the correct medication, but try as I might I can not provide the sample!!!!!
I was prefectly fit and well during Christmas and then early in the new year I became unwell with a terrible chesty cough & completely blocked sinus, and it woudn't go away, which is why the doctor referred me to the chest specialist, and the rest is history. It just shows, we do not know what is round the corner do we!!!!!
Thanks again, Best Wishes, Aileen
Caddie,
I'm 67 and have had lung issues for 28 yrs. The last 5 being diagnosised with bronchiectasis.
The key to keeping away infections is to keep your lungs clear. I use a nebulizer 3 times a day (a small machine that turns liquid meds into a vapor that is inhaled). I also use a precussion vest that 'beats' on my chest. As well as a flutter valve. These all help loosen the mucus and it's easier to cough up. I also get into a position where my head is lower than my waist, gravity helps move the mucus to where I can cough it up.
Stay away from sick people, wash your hands often when out and about, excercise as you are able to help the lungs clear (low impact cardio is best) and eat as healthy as you can. And at the first sign of not feeling well, see your doctor asap.
Welcome to this forum. You'll get a lot of good information from people with bronchiectasis and share your own experences. I have learn a lot from this forum.
You have support here, you are not alone, Beth
Hi Beth
Thanks very much for your reply, your information is really helpful. I think my problem is in trying to understand what I am dealing with. I do understand the benefits of loosening the mucus, and have already bought some hand sterilising lotion for when I'm out and about.
On the whole I am quite active, and do still work, so staying away from sick people with colds will be somewhat difficult, especially during the winter months. My bosses are aware of the situation, and are very supportive. I had the pneumonia vaccination a few weeks ago, and will have the flu jab annually. It's finding time to use the flutter device that's my problem.
Thanks again, Aileen
Pour moi....La Corbocistéine n'a pas causé ce problème. Mais une poignée généreuse de raisins pourrait aider.... Mes plus sincères sympathies cependant.
Comme vous, je n'ai pas pu produire d'échantillons et j'ai également subi une bronchoscopie pour déterminer ce qui se passait. Cependant, sauf en cas d'urgence, je n'ai pas l'intention d'en subir une autre. J'ai donc insisté pour obtenir un rendez-vous avec un physiothérapeute et enfin, il est arrivé.
Sans aucun doute, ce physiothérapeute est un ange.
* On m'a donné des conseils étape par étape, avec des devoirs également. Mais après deux ans sans rien produire pour un échantillon, je suis maintenant plein d'espoir que si le moment arrive, je pourrai peut-être remplir ce petit pot.
* Toutes mes (très) sottes questions ont été traitées très poliment et utilement.
* Le physiothérapeute a pris le temps et la patience d'expliquer en détail ce qu'est la bronchiectasie, comment elle m'affecte, comment je peux aider la situation et en expliquant certaines des choses dans ma vie qui aggravent les choses.
Fatigue ?
Je m'épuise beaucoup plus facilement ces jours-ci, même dans une phase "bien" et j'ai dû ajuster ma vie professionnelle et personnelle en conséquence.
Je ne suis pas encore sous acepella ou flipper... donc je lirai ces réponses avec intérêt.
Meilleures salutations
Thanks very much for your help and advice. You have given me a very good idea about the physio, which I will follow up on. I have had a visit from a very good physio here, who has given me some good advice help with breathing exercises, as well as the flipper, so maybe I'll ask to see her again.
My overall impression is that it's experience of this condition that determines how we cope. I will see how I am through the winter, I'm dreading it really, and then I'll make decisions about work.
Thanks again, Aileen
I have had constant xhest/lung problems for many years, mostly due to a past non specific atypical tuberculosis, I have copd & bronchiectasis, I use several inhalers but have not heard of an a acepella or a flipper & am curious as to what they are
Karen,
An acepella and flipper (here in the states it's called a flutter valve) is a small hand held thing that when you blow into it a certain way, it causes your lungs to vibrate a little, loosening the mucus. I have both, got them when I had to stay in the hospital. You can purchase them on line as well.
Beth
Thanks Elizabeth, I'm not sure if we have them here, I've been asthmatic for years & not heard of anything similar, I several medicated puffers but for the first time am having difficulty coughing up mucous, these might be helpful, so thank you for the information