1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis
Profile picture for wsbme74

Prednisone for flare-up - Bronchiectasis with asthma

Posted by wsbme74 @wsbme74, May 15, 2024

Hi. I have mild Bronchiectasis (diagnosed last year) and moderate but usually well-controlled asthma. The 2 times I have had the start of an exacerbation (low-grade fever, tight chest/reduced stamina, more mucus production, and this time some Hemoptysis for the first time) my local pulmonologist has prescribed 5 days of amox/clav and 5 days of 40mg of prednisone. I would love to avoid taking prednisone each time something is starting up but I wonder if it's necessary with the complication of asthma.

Also, for Hemoptysis (maybe 1/4tsp), I am worried about doing saline and huff coughing/aerobika, etc. in case it makes it worse. But I know that increased airway clearance is important during exacerbations/infections. How do others manage this balance? Thanks!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the MAC & Bronchiectasis Support Group.

Profile picture for spectrumcyclist
spectrumcyclist | @spectrumcyclist | Jun 30 4:54am

I hate prednisone, especially with other steroids I have to take. It makes me anxious and deprives me of sleep. 2 or 3 times a year I have to do it though. Working with my pulmonologist we settled on 20 mg/ day for ten, or if needed, 20 days, and that has worked for several years.

REPLY
Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jun 30 7:46am
In reply to @simonian "@sueinmn hi, can I ask if you use antibiotics every time there is a flare up..." + (show)
Profile picture for simonian @simonian

@sueinmn hi, can I ask if you use antibiotics every time there is a flare up or infection? I am wondering if it is possible to recover just using predisone for a few days and not antibiotics, which I have relied on heavily in the past.

Jump to this post

@simonian Prednisone is Round!. If worse after 48 hours OR no improvement in 4 days, we go to antibiotics. Usually the prednisone does it. But "that was then" - since getting my asthma well-controlled, and figuring out some of my chest tightness was heart-related, I have only had one exacerbation in nearly 2 years, and it came after my first Covid infection in 2024.

Last week I saw my pulmonologist and we reconfirmed the infection protocol. I'm hoping not to need it.

REPLY
Profile picture for simonian
simonian | @simonian | Jun 30 8:27am

Thanks for that information. I have started on prednisone 2nd day, and am hoping i dont need antbiotics at all. I am glad you are doing well.

REPLY
Profile picture for kathysavage1954
kathysavage1954 | @kathysavage1954 | Jul 1 7:38am

I found taking Prednisone 40mg daily for over a year made my hair fall.out, so I mentioned this to the Dr. After a week in hospital on 3 antibiotics, the Dr gave me 250mg Azithromysine 3 times a week and a Budeflam inhaler when needed as maintenance meds and I haven't had a flare up for two winters in Cape Town, .So now I only take the meds during winter and it keeps the lung inflammation at bay.....

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.