Hi. I was diagnosed with mild bronchiectasis in 2005 but was stable and functioning
Very well until 2014. Then I had bad bronchitis with bad asthma every quarter until it became more frequent. By 2017 I was on antibiotics almost every other month. Got hospitalized for pneumonia. Diagnosed positive for aspergillosis and treated for six months. Diagnosed for low immune system
And given immunoglobulin monthly shots. But still I was sick and getting worse.
Finally in June 2018 I was hospitalized for 17 days to be given a 14 day two strong antibiotics by ivy, and a bronchoscopy and lavage. Still they could
Not find any definite bacteria. I was scheduled to fly to singapore for a lung biopsy
When my pulmonologist had me tested for autoimmune disease. I tested positive and now on steroids and immunosuppressant drugs. Definitely my downhill went
Uphill .. slowly but surely. Your symptoms of low grade fever and extreme fatigue was what I had... together with the hacking cough and green phlegm. This kind of autoimmune is rare . It is not lupus ... really immune system attacking the lungs primarily. So from asthma, then bronchiectasis, then interstitial pneumonitis, then aspergillosis (ABPA), then low immune system, then MAC, and now autoimmune system attacking the lungs. This is how my COPD progressed from a childhood illness of asthma. As the others, I avoid seasonal and environmental allergens / triggers. Bec of autoimmune I also have to avoid fatigue, a strong trigger for a flare up. But I am able to live a relatively normal life.
I’m female 71 y/o, retired, and live in the Philippines.