bronchiectasis outlook

[cfkle]

Fifteen years ago I was diagnosed with TB - the diagnosis was delayed because the docs kept insisting it was just my asthma worsening, even though the symptoms were much different. I was not correctly diagnosed for about nine months - then I was succesfully treated. Several years later I noticed that I was constantly bringing up phlegm, having to clear my throat all the time - this was not associated with shortness of breath, wheezing or coughing, but again I was told it was from the asthma. Two years ago the symptoms became much worse - cough, shortness of breath, inability to bring up phlegm, "vibration" noises in the chest - and a CT scan showed bronchiectasis. My sense is that it has gotten worse in the past few months. I no longer have any times when I am "normal". I was just put on a vest vibrating machine, in addition to all the meds I'm on. My question is what the prognosis is, and will I become disabled from this and unable to work? The shortness of breath can be distressing and the horrible-sounding cough is certainly embarrassing when I am at work. If it continues to worsen, would surgery help? I have it in two different locations in the lung. Thank you.

[cfkle]

My O2's are generally at 95-96% - which is a decrease from where they were a few years ago (98-99). I guess I am just concerned about the future, since this seems to have progressed so much in the 2 years since the diagnosis, in spite of all the meds etc. Do people with this condition become disabled and unable to work?

[Jenn12546]

Yeah, that cough is hard to hide from....and it seems to hit hardest during the worst times, huh? People invariably ask if I need a cough drop, tell me I should stop smoking, ask if I am contagious, etc....At first, it bothered me, but I just ignore them now. As far as your shortness of breath, are your O2 levels okay? Mine aren't horrible at rest, but with activity, they really drop and I need O2....which makes me feel tons better. Perhaps your doc should check yours at rest, with activity and even during sleep to make sure you aren't de satting.
Jenn

[cfkle]

So far the cultures are negative. I was just put on the vest, not sure if it is helping or not. The distressing thing is the sudden, uncontrollable cough that sounds awful and is embarrassing, and the shortness of breath.

[Jenn12546]

It's good that you are doing chest physio, do you use the Vest by any chance? I use it and it works well. I also nebulize medication to help thin the secretions. I have CF, but essentially, bronchiectasis is common with it. I know that there are many meds that can help bronchiectasis patients, airway clearance is vital. There are studies going on as well with new meds and bronchiectasis, you might want to check them out to see if you could benefit from them such as Denusofol (sp?) and bronchitol. Both help thin secretions so that you can cough them out. Also, are you culturing other bacteria in your lungs such as pseudomonas? Suppression therapy is also helpful to keep the bacteria at bay, hopefully preventing further damage. (Examples of suppression therapy are inhaled antibioitics such as TOBI or tobramycin or antibiotic pills)
I hope this helps
Jenn

[hava]

Do some voluntary breathing, to energize the cells in your lungs and body.This will improve the body functions and in turn help to fight the bronchiectasis. Do not give up on these breathing methods.Come back to report your progress, to help someone else.
Build up your timing gradually.If you feel tired or dizzy, stop and resume after one minute.
Anulom Vilom –
Close your right nostril with thumb and deep breath-in through left nostril  
then – close left nostril with two fingers and breath-out through right nostril  
then -keeping the left nostril closed  deep breath-in through right nostril
then - close your right nostril with thumb and breath-out through left nostril.
This is one cycle of anulom vilom.
Repeat this cycle for 15 to 30  minutes twice a day.
Children under 15 years – do 5 to 10 minutes twice a day.
You can do this before breakfast/lunch/dinner or before bedtime or in bed.Remember to take deep long breaths into the lungs.You can do this while sitting on floor or chair or lying in bed.

Kapalbhati -(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.