Dry Bronchiectasis?

[Judy1951]

I also have a diagnosis of bronchietasis which showed up on an xray and CTscan when I had pneumonia 3 years ago.  My pulmonologist told me then that I had mild to moderate COPD with emphazema as well.  This is strange because I have never smoked or drank (58 yrs of age) or had respiratory problems in the past.  10 years ago I was treated for breast cancer with chemo-FEC and radiation.  I have remained cancer free since then.  

At the time I was diagnosed with bronchiectasis, I had a lung tissue biopsy which revealed no cancer-the doctors first thought I had sarcodosis) but later a MAC infection grew out of the culture- I took Ethambutal and Biaxin for 10 months until I developed peripheral neuropathy so I stopped the meds and was told "we should just wait and watch."  That was okay with me because that cocktail made me feel really terrible.

Since then, I have periods where I cough a lot but not all the time and not that often.  I almost never bring anything up when I do cough.  On the rare occasion that I am able to cough something up it is usually only a speck, although it is usually yellow or green.  I used to use Spiriva and Advair but it didn't really help and caused me to have a very hoarse voice.  The problem is that I always feel very weak, tired, and short of breath and my chest hurts or feels tight especially later in the day or after walking or other physical activity.

Does anyone have any speculations as to what's goiing on with me?

[girlie345]

Hi Judy
I have the same condition as you - dry bronchiecstasis.  I was diagnosed 5 months ago, also have emphysemia top lobe right lung - dont smoke, did years ago tho.

However the most important aspect of treatment, so i have learned is good physio, your pulmonary consultant should have recommended this for you or you GP.

The lungs get so blocked with mucus and when you are 'dry' its so hard to get it up, the physio can help with ways to get it up - or recommend you have a nebulizer which is a great help to open the airways to bring up the mucus.

There is a fantastic site called Bronchiectasis R Us - which has so much information on the condition it will answer any question and i mean any you may need to know.


Hope things improve soon for you, best wishes  G.

[hava]

Dec 12, 2010 You need help to clear the lungs, and this pranayam will do it for you.Try it and let me know in a few days, whatever you observe.This works gradually, so allow months, but you will know in a few days, how it is helping.

Build up your timing gradually.If you feel tired or dizzy, stop and resume after one minute.
Kapalbhati pranayam -(Do it before eating) Push air forcefully out through the nose about once per second. Stomach will itself go in(contract in). The breathing in(through the nose) will happen automatically. Establish a rhythm and do for 20 to 30 minutes twice a day. Children under 15 years – do 5 to 10 minutes twice a day.
Not for pregnant women. Seriously ill people do it gently.

[bsmsl]

Although smoking is the most common cause of emphazema and COPD, it is not the only cause.  There are genetic causes and unknown causes.  My guess is that the pulmos are correct and you have COPD/emphazema (a form of COPD).

I had the same problem with Advair Discus.  I have since sworn off dry powder inhalers completely.  Dry powder inhalers have larger particles.  If the proper technique is not used, it settles in places it isn't supposed to settle.  It is also made with dried milk products which is problematic for people with milk allergies.  

I now use the MDI inhalers.  There are three versions - Advir Hfa, Symbicort and Dulera is the newest.  They do not cause the throat irritation and hoarseness that the dry powder do.  

With COPD it is vital that you stop lung function loss as it is irreversible.  It sounds like you need to get back on some from of a maintenance med.  Hopefully one of the MDI versions will work for you.  Many people really like Symbicort.  It didn't work for me, but the other two work great.

I also have bronchiecstasis.  In my research, I learned that it is very common.  My first pulmo told me that the severity of bronchiecstasis has no correlation with severity of symptoms.  I have mild bronchiecstasis, but that and my asthma seem to be controlling my life.  I was treated for Neutrophilic ashtma with Biaxin.  I despise the stuff as well.

Since you are coughing up green phlegm, no matter how small, you may want to request a bronchoscopy.  Green phlegm is usually a sign that there is infection.  My second pulmo (first one was very rude) told me that bronchiecstasis keeps the lungs from clearing mucus as they should.  You could be having problems coughing anything up for this reason.

I think you should get back with your pulmo and see what can be done for you and explore every option.  Also, you may want to go through cardiac evaluation as well to rule out problems there.  With the extensive pumonary testing you have gone through, I doubt that to be the cause, but it is best to explore and rule out as many causes as possible.

Feel better and keep us posted.