Bronchiectasis: New Diagnosis

Posted by navylady @navylady, Jul 26, 2018

New to your group. Non-smoker. Pneumonia x6 in 12 years, double pneumonia twice. Was diagnosed with chronic bronchitis and COPD for past 15 years, now pulmonologist based on x-rays and MRI has diagnosed no COPD, yes bronchiectasis. Take advair 250/50 twice a day. Past ten days I am increasingly gurgling, wheezing, some chest pain. I have recently moved to Florida which I like but am having long wait times to get into see a family care NP who can hopefully refer me to a pulmonologist. I walk 20-30 minutes a day. Any ideas how to manage this now. Am worried about getting pneumonia again. I went to one walk-in clinic at a reputable hospital. They literally did nothing except take x-rays. Didn't even talk to me. Just billed $2000+ for x-rays. Do I try another walk-in clinic. I feel very alone right now with this chronic medical problem.

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

@auntnanny

jweisser.….. My bronchiectasis was diagnosed from a cat scan of lungs and confirmed with sputum test. The sputum test tells which bacteria is there at the time and therefore, they know which antibiotic to prescribe. When the bacteria is killed, you still have bronchiectasis because that is the condition of your lungs but you will not be ill when the infection is gone. (My experience). I continue to have flares -- often at first but as time as gone on the flares are now months apart instead of weeks. If you can get to a Mayo's anywhere, it will be your best bet. We drove 10 hours to get there and worth every mile of the trip. The pulmonologist there to whom I was assigned is Dr. Moua (Rochester)…… he continues to keep track of me. I can write him a note any time or call him. I just write because he is very busy. He answers right away. I send him results of sputum tests done at a local lab and he prescribes from that. I've never had to go back to see him. I have medicare and blue cross/blue shield and I've never paid a penny for anything. There are no charges for his continuous care. It's a great place. I can't say enough good. I was very ill when I went -- very hard coughing night and day with no let-up. I'm so grateful.

Jump to this post

@auntnanny, I do have access to Mayo Clinic in Rochester. My two sister would go with me for a road trip if I decide to go. That would leave my husband home with the animals. We live about 12 hours from Rochester and have been to Mayo clinic a couple of times. Not for this. The first time I was seeking treatment for Fibromyalgia the second time we went was for my niece who had colon cancer. There was nothing they could do, but we had the reassurance that what they were doing in Rapid City was what they would be doing. I will wait for my other two appointments then we might make an appointment with Mayo. Then I know I've had the latest and greatest. Is it possible this could be from radiation after breast cancer?
Thanks for this group, I've received a lot of info. Jweisser

REPLY

jweisser ……. I'm curious. What did Mayo's recommend for fibromyalgia? My doctor has long told me I have it and I tried Lyrica once. Did not get along with that.

REPLY
@jweisser

@onana, I received a message on My Chart from my PA, she said...………….. RE: Visit Follow-Up Question
Message body:
Your symptoms are very consistent with bronchiectasis. I have referred you to pulmonology. He wants you to proceed with a PFT. that will be useful for the pulmonologist.

So I guess we move on, I'm still trying to think this is only a chest cold that won't let go. My PFT is Monday, after that she will have an appointment with a Pulmonoligist in Rapid City. Thanks to everyone who offered information and support.

Jump to this post

@jweisser Thanks for the update. I would urge you not to be afraid of the tests. You want to know for sure what's going on in your body so you can get the best care, to maintain the highest quality of life, no matter what. The PFT will yield good information. For me the definitive test that provided the basis for a solid diagnosis was the CT scan. Ask the pulmonologist how many cases of bronchiectasis he/she has treated. Some pulmonologists are very inexperienced when it comes to bronchiectasis. You need someone who is up on research and treatment. Please keep us informed. I join others in the forum in sending best wishes and hugs.

REPLY
@windwalker

@auntnanny I am on the same regimen as @america. The tobramycin knocked it out of me in 2016. I have been on the tobramycin every other month since then. I have 'known' you for awhile now; a year or more. I have seen you text that you are on antibiotics for a week or two feel better, then off for several months, then sick again, then on antibiotics for a week or two.....short runs om antibiotics don't seem to be working for you. Like me, you may need to be on them for an indefinite time. A few weeks here and there is not enough to beat it down.

Jump to this post

@windwalker Terri, I am have major reflux since I’m using Toby! And I’m wondering if you have that problem too. Is there something that’s on the natural side I can you? Thanks Rita

REPLY
@auntnanny

jweisser ……. I'm curious. What did Mayo's recommend for fibromyalgia? My doctor has long told me I have it and I tried Lyrica once. Did not get along with that.

Jump to this post

auntnanny, I didn't have time to stay the extra 3 weeks to go though the program at Mayo for Fibromyalgia. I tried Lyrica but didn't work for me, I now take Cymbalta which I don't think helps either.
The drug I now take for my fibro is Naltrexone 4.5 mg. In much bigger doses it's used to help take people down that are addicted to hard drugs. It helps more than anything I've tried and that's a lot. The most help I get is just know what is going to make me hurt and not overdoing. I'm wondering if this is part of my fatigue too.

REPLY

jweisser.…… thank you for your note. It's helpful. Yes, I think not exerting some of those muscles helps a lot. I don't take anything except two Aleve each morning. It's as good as the stronger drugs and doesn't have the same side effects.

REPLY
@jweisser

I had an ultra sound that showed Bronchiectasis, my doctor ordered blood tests that all show normal. I'm so fatigued and dizzy, not sure if it's from bronchiectasis or something else going on. Five years ago I had breast cancer with chemo and radiation. I still have a couple of pulmonary tests that might show a reason. I don't even know what bronchiectasis is. All new to me.

Jump to this post

@jweisser Hi there. I am glad that you are seeing a pulmonolgist soon. If your dr. doesn't offer a CT Scan or sputem test; be sure to ask for those two things. The CT Scan is the best test for bronchiectasis. It will show the actual structures inside the lungs. That way, your pulmonolgist can see what is going on in your lungs. The sputem test is to see if mac or pseudomonas is growing in your lungs. These two infections are commonly found in people with bronchiectasis. They cause the coughing and fatigue. If you don't have them now, you may in the future, so you want to get regular sputem tests. I have had mac/bronchiectasis since 2005. I did not begin to lose a lot of weight until 2016. That was due to a pseudomonas infection. I went from 143 lbs to 116 lbs in 8 months. Since treatment in 2016; my weight is coming back. My point is, you may not be losing weight now, but you may in the future. It is one of the warning signs of an active infection. I hope you will take the time to read from the Discussion Board. It is on this group's home page and has a list of helpful topics. I hope you get to feeling better soon.

REPLY

@terri M, I have had the ultra sound, that's where they found the Bronchiectasis, I haven't had a sputum test, however they did do a nasal test, not sure what that was supposed to show. On Monday have a breathing test, then we wait for an appointment with pulmonologist. I just had a message from my PA saying if I haven't heard from the pulmonologist in a week to call her and she can set me up for Mayo Clinic. I'm just so extremely fatigued with a lot of pressure in my head. I don't know if this is all related to the lungs or not, I know I'm sure tired of being tired. I will go to the Discussion Board.

REPLY
@windwalker

@jweisser Hi there. I am glad that you are seeing a pulmonolgist soon. If your dr. doesn't offer a CT Scan or sputem test; be sure to ask for those two things. The CT Scan is the best test for bronchiectasis. It will show the actual structures inside the lungs. That way, your pulmonolgist can see what is going on in your lungs. The sputem test is to see if mac or pseudomonas is growing in your lungs. These two infections are commonly found in people with bronchiectasis. They cause the coughing and fatigue. If you don't have them now, you may in the future, so you want to get regular sputem tests. I have had mac/bronchiectasis since 2005. I did not begin to lose a lot of weight until 2016. That was due to a pseudomonas infection. I went from 143 lbs to 116 lbs in 8 months. Since treatment in 2016; my weight is coming back. My point is, you may not be losing weight now, but you may in the future. It is one of the warning signs of an active infection. I hope you will take the time to read from the Discussion Board. It is on this group's home page and has a list of helpful topics. I hope you get to feeling better soon.

Jump to this post

Terri, In order to get a sputum test I assume you have to be coughing up some of the phlegm. Right now I'm not coughing up anything. I do a lot of hacking in the morning trying to clear out my throat, but it never totally comes up, just far enough to swallow. How is a sputum test done, I assume you have to be able to get something coughed up to test. Monday is the breathing test if we can get there. They are predicting 6" of snow in this area and we have to drive an hour to the hospital.

REPLY

jweisser ...….Yes, you need to cough up something and spit it into a sterile cup that will be provided by your doctor or hospital. You can refrigerate it while waiting for another coughing spell. If you are using a nebulizer and saline, the saline is supposed to help you be able to cough. At Mayo's when they wanted a sample from me they would take me to a little room where there was a machine that was hooked up to saline and I would breathe that to get the coughing started. (Actually, I can cough up phlegm most of the time and don't need the saline but Mayo's use that for those who need help). I have an acquaintance who has a vest she wears to help her cough and get the "gunk" up and out. She thinks the vest is great. I haven't needed that type help, but it is available. Also, if you can't cough it up, they can do a bronchoscopy and clear it out for you. I know a lady who has this done almost every month. I've never had one but it works for her. Personally, I can usually cough up something right after eating. I don't know if it might help you. Just saying ……...

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.