Anyone have Athsma & Bronchiectasis?

@lelija I did not even know that bronchiectasis could be diagnosed at birth. I am so sorry to hear this. Are you familiar with the Bronchiectasis and NTM Association? I've been learning a great deal through this group.

@kathyjjb Well the trip to to Pulmonary Function Lab was not what I was expecting. All I did was blow into a mouth piece where you inhaul large then exhale as fast and as hard as you can for 4 times. First when I had not an inhaler then after I had inhaler and all she could tell me that I have some Emphysema even though I quit smoking 40 years ago I ask about BE and Athame and was told that this test is not for that, she will recommend a inhaler for me to my doctor. So I am worse of than I was yesterday.

@lreid51 Was that a doctor that told you that you had emphysema? When I get my PFT test done it's done by the technician, who is not allowed to diagnose. My results are reviewed, typically a week later with my pulmonary dr. I would talk to your pulmonologist about the diagnosis. How are you feeling?

@kathyjjb It was a technician and the visit was only 15 minutes tops, I have not seen yet what they call here a Respirologist. I have been twice before to 2 different Pulmonary technician and they did a lot of different tests. My lungs ache tonight, I hope they are not going to become a problem, she had me breathing in and out so hard, the others were not that rough.

Last year my lungs ached a lot, but not lately. Have you considered going to NJH? Do you nebulize? I've noticed a huge improvement in how I feel just from the nebulizing and airway clearance. Also, a while back a nurse looked over my PFT and told me I had COPD. I told her no one has ever told me that before. When I asked my pulm doctor, he told me that I do not have COPD.

@kathyjjb we don't have an NJH here the closest to it is Centre for Lung Health (Vancouver Coastal Health) Assessment and diagnosis of lung diseases COPD, asthma, bronchiectasis, emphysema care Pulmonary function testing and
Smoking‑related lung disease management. What is nebulize? Well I am not taken her seriously now but she just unnerved me for a while. This whole business that has happened this last 4 weeks has left me trying to accept it,
try to learn as much as I can and find peace. I thank you for you help and kindness

@pacathy
May I ask how you treated your sinusitis? Nasal rinses?

@lreid51 You can google or look on youtube about nebulizing with saline. Basically, just breathing in vaporized 3 or 7% (recommended) saline. It takes about 15 minutes. Helps clear lungs and frankly, I believe that's why the majority of my NTM tests are coming back negative. It all depends on the extent of your BE. A friend who has mild BE told me that her doctor recommended she nebulize a few times per week. Since I was diagnosed with Mycobacterium Abscessus (an NTM), I nebulize 2/day per my NJH ID doctor. I was diagnosed with mild BE 20 years ago while I lived in Denver, I relocated to Arizona and my doctors never seemed concerned about it. It did get worse. My current pulmonologist understands BE-which is what I needed.

I will go to youtub and look it up, after yesterday my cough has got worse so if it will help that I would be happy.
Thank you Kathy

@narelled23 It’s a bit of a saga. I’ll just cover the 6 months that got me cleared.
After CT showed probable MAC and bronchiectasis, pulmonologist sent me to ENT. CT sinus showed frontal sinus and ethmoid occlusion. Due to location near brain, he referred me to frontal sinus specialist. While I waited to get in, gave me prescription for Augmentin and steroids then a prescription for Tobramycin eyedrops to use in a head hanging position (off label use) to try to get to sinus. When I got to frontal sinus doc, sinus had cleared. I was still having excessive post nasal drainage that was causing hoarseness. He gave me a prescription for mometasone to add to sinus rinse bottle-the NeilMed size (I use Squeezie since it can be boiled. They also told me to say Kaaaa as I rinse to protect ears.)
I was already on nasal sprays-Mometasone, diphenhydramine, and Ipratropium which is a Mayo mix. It’s been about 3 years I think and I’ve done much better. I do try to cut back to daily rinse when my secretions decrease due to the steroids. I use hoarseness as my guide to increase again. It’s been a bit over a year since I’ve had an upper respiratory infection. My pulmonologist had me start 7% saline in Oct 2024 to decrease the colds and it seems to work.