Bronchiectasis

@alicebrew1 If you have recurring infections, please talk to the doctor about starting airway clearance. According to the experts, it is the Gold Standard for avoiding further damage.

Also, can you get the allergist and pulmonologist to coordinate of figuring out the correct medication for your asthma? Trelegy is not the most commonly used medication for that.

@scoop I found these tea bags that do not contain microplastics …
https://fullleafteacompany.com/products/natural-paper-drawstring-teabags

@alicebrew1
I have not been diagnosed with haemophilus B, nor any pathogen. Cultures x 2. Nothing grew.
Bronchoscopy- confirmed Bronchietasis and cultures for affected area of lung sent. Again, negative.
Haemophious B, is a very common colonizer and can cause exacerbations in bronchietasis, driving inflammation, impairs mucous clearance and may create a cycle of infections and damage.
It is a treatment challenge.
As mentioned by Sue cultures and airway clearance as very important.

1. Have you been cultured for other pathogens. Pseudomonas, Staph aureus, Non-Tuberculosis Mycobacteria NTM- Can be present and missed by standard cultures, Resistant to azithromycin.
And several others- FUNGI, Legionella, Moraxella, Klepsiella.

3. Have they prescribed a inhaler?
4. Or a nebulizer - fine mist to thin mucous, ease coughing, open airways, improve breathing by directly targeting lung.

5. Have you had a PFT? Help determine lung function, severity of bronchietasis and target best treatment options.

6. Are your immunizations up to date: Covid, Flu, Pneumonia, RSV? Check with pulmonologist for recommendations (based on history, age, vaccines).

Hope I have been helpful.

@lss111 hey there I did have pft. I definitely think haemophilus really caused broncheistasis to get worse . I do not think pulmonologist gave me that exact diagnosis . But I definitely have an area where airways enlarged . No nebulizer . I am going to ask about the saline treatment . Also am on trelogy but that’s for my supposed asthma . I have not taken for 5 days . Allergist said I could go off of it so I’m trying that . I have been tested I believe for all those things you mentioned I have not had my up-to-date pneumonia shot or RSV shot. I really am not getting any more Covid shots so I will check into the pneumonia shot. It’s just also complicated cause I don’t fit into anyone my puzzle pieces don’t match.

Had my first session at the Salt Room. I spent 45 minutes inhaling tiny salt particles into my lungs and nose in a very soothing atmosphere. It felt good. Before I got out of the parking lot, I got a little up and haven't had to blow my nose today. Going to add this to my maintenance. I do salt water gargle and sodium chloride nebulizer. Shouldn't use nebulizer if I've been at the Salt Room. Drinking Mullein tea.

@alicebrew1 Many have written about how important the RSV, pneumonia, flu, and Covid shots are to those of us with compromised lung health. Makes a big difference ..it usually means not as severe a case if we get the virus and that we won’t be hospitalized.

Another important vaccine to consider - that is not respiratory related - is Shingrix ( 2 dose vaccine, probably good for life) . Maybe you’ve already received it. It’s one to ask for after 50 yrs of age and some people are getting it after age 40.

Shingles is a very painful viral infection that causes open blisters. People who have suffered with it often have symptoms post infection and are more susceptible to future infections. I’ve known more than several people who have really suffered and were not vaccinated. Unvaccinated people must wait one year before getting the Shingles vaccine, during which time they can have flare ups.

@cholash I buy Mullein tea bags, Buddha Teas, organic, no microplastic, on Amazon for $9.99.

@gerry26 thank you . I looked them up, and they don’t mention anything about not using microplastics in the bags.

@cholash According to the Buddha Teas Website, their teabags are made from cellulose, unbleached and free of mircoplastics.

@sueinmn thank you , but where are you seeing this info? I didn’t see it anywhere on the Amazon site, so I just looked at their website , and this is what I saw..
“May 2024, we have transitioned to using compostable tea bags that are entirely free from microplastics. To verify if your product is non-GMO and microplastic-free, please provide us with the product and lot number.”
I’m a daily, morning tea drinker . I went through this process trying to find bags without plastics , as they use them a lot to keep the bags or seems together . Whenever I would email what looked like a good company , their responses were not good , and often skirted the question. So I’m a little jaded lol. It looks like you have to contact the company with your lot number to confirm . Did you see something different ?