I have a diagnosis of mild Be (over 10 years), possible mild COPD (recent), possible Asthma (20 yrs and now a question mark over whether I have it or not). I have generally lived a pretty full life, active with bushwalking, travel, gardening etc. However, over many years I have coughed a lot and have had a lot of mucus to clear...recently up to 3 cups per day. I have been nebulising twice a day with hypertonic saline for the last 4 years or so...recently have dropped it to once per day. The volume of mucus has increased over time and specialists have said that it can't be due to my Be as it is too mild to give that much mucus. The volume may be dropping with the antihistamine. Specialist says I dont have allergic asthma.

Six or eight months ago I started to have quite severe shortness of breath (sob) which has bothered me up until recently when, after realising I had relief when taking an antihistimine, I suggested to my Immunologist that I take a daily antihistimine...that has alleviated my sob. I was in a very bad way prior to this, losing weight and feeling I was failing badly...this antihistamine has turned my life around (along with the reversal of a Mod/Severe COPD diagnosis) as my spirometry improved. We don't know why the antihistimine has been working, but will do skin prick tests (again) with Immunologist in a cple months time. I am now feeling that I am back to my usual 'normal', which is good enough to live my life quite fully. The only things which bother me are the cough/mucus, but with regular airway clearance these are minimised.

I am 75, have an active life, do virtually everything I want to do, now that my sob has been addressed.
I cook regularly for myself, usually healthy food, eat out often, socialise, travel, go to the gym 4 times a week, often walk around 10klms, garden when I want to, swim in the ocean (not pools because of chlorine/other germs). I feel very grateful.

Despite a couple of NTM positives these were results were never repeated and I remain NTM free.