@shayshay123 I am sorry to hear that she has breathlessness.
I understand, somewhat about the not letting her sleep. For me I wake up at least three times a night. I'm not sure what is waking me up...meaning either my bladder talking to me to walk down the hall and release my bladder or the mucus with the Bronchiectasis.
Each time I awaken I have to take time to clear the mucus.
I don't have breathlessness, just yet,
I can't even imagine having to work and do all that needs to be done to help oneself with Bronchiectasis and the clearing of the mucus from the lungs while also doing what needs to be done to eat healthy and keep up with the daily tasks of life. That period of time must have been very hard for her.
As I sit and type I am constantly clearing the mucus from my lungs.
With your Mom (Mum) having BE for ten years the question is was she informed and instructed on what to do for herself from the beginning?? In many cases the doctors did not inform and instruct patients and that hinders ones ability to help themselves.
If she was informed and instructed was she able to do all that had to be done to clear the mucus daily.?
The doctor that helped me to understand all said to me "I'm sorry to say you have the lung disease that requires the most work."
All I can tell you is what I do to help clear the mucus. Your Mom may have been doing all this and already knows all.
First thing I do in the morning are simple leg and arm exercises and then walk for a mile every day. I walk in the house and do fine with that. I believe this helps to get everything moving and ready for the BE tasks to clear the mucus.
I then do all that needs to be done to clear the mucus.
1. Drink healthy, clean water...at least 4 cups or more throughout the a day.
2. Eat as healthy as possible to keep the immune system strong. (I do cheat some.)
3. Try to get 7 or 8 hours of sleep, not always possible. Since I am retired I can stay in bed a bit longer.
4. Nebulize 2x a day. First thing in the morning and an hour before bed. I'm thinking I may need to do it an hour and a half before bed.
5. Do air way clearance methods which involves deep diaphragmatic breathing and then huff coughing.
6. Postural Drainage. (This may not be possible to do if a person has Acid Reflux)
7. Percussion therapy on myself.
So much depends upon all the above and as well any other health problem(s) that also comes into play that adds to the concerns and chores we have to do for ourselves.
Your Mom may be mentally tired and that is understandable.
The best thing we can do for each other is to find a way to help with the things we can help with that will relieve one of some of ones responsibilities.... which will give us more time and space to do what we need to do for ourselves.
As with all of us, it is we who have to talk to ourselves and find our way to change what needs to be changed, if change is needed.
One thing I have just started with is a Speech Therapist. My new pulmonologist referred me to Speech Therapy. It is helping me with the breathing exercises and strengthening the tongue muscles.
I have only been diagnosed with BE since August of 2022. So in the big scheme of things I am fairly new to all of it compared to others that have had the diagnosis for years.
I do have a low load infection and have not taken the antibiotics. I am fortunate that I feel well and can do all this at my nearly 84 years of living.
I also have not found my way to being comfortable with the thought of being around others in a social setting due to the need to clear the mucus nearly all the time and especially after eating. I want to change that but I am having a hard time getting to that point of "just do it." I 99% of the time wear an N95 in public but do take myself out to eat at times when I know it is a slow period and very few people will be in the restaurant. We all deal with things differently.
I wish I had a big secret of how to make it well for her..... and I.
Barbara

@shayshay123

I am 88 years old and have BE....I decided five years ago to not take the big 3 again and just do Air Clearance ....plus vest, nebbing with albuterol and 7% saline solution' Recently, after having a bronchoscopy, I have a flare up with SEVERE COUGHING and so much phlegm and a friend who has been on hospice for other issues was told to use Tussin/Gavastein (sp) and after 3 weeks, 3 times a day my cough is 95% better. I buy it from Amazon for 9.99 . God Bless.