Bronchiectasis: New Diagnosis

@merpreb Hi, I guess I too have been delaying using the Ventolin inhaler prescribed by my Pulmo for “later when I really need it”. I was assuming it was steroidal, but I’ll have to research it further. Thanks

Ventolin is albuterol. It is not a steroid, and not addictive. As several have mentioned, using an albuterol, levalbuterol or similar neb regularly helps relax the bronchial passages so that other meds (like Tobramycin for pseudomonas or Breo) penetrate the lungs more effectively, and so that breathing therapy to get rid of mucus (saline, Acapela device, etc) work better. Th e nebulised solution is more effective, but if all you have is the inhaler, use that. If Ventolin, or plain albuterol makes you so shaky that you refuse to use it except in an emergency, ask your doctor for levalbuterol neb and inhaler. Brand name is Xopenex, and it was often not covered because it was expensive, but a generic form is now available. For me levalbuterol not only means less tremors, but it does not seem to raise my heart rate or blood pressure as much as albuterol.

@dalielad

@merpreb So a quick research glance tells me Ventolin is albuterol. In other research, I think I read albuterol, or other Rx bronchodilators like Advair, (that I used for years) can actually lead to or worsen chest infections if used for long periods of time?

Ventolin is albuterol. It is not a steroid, and not addictive. As several have mentioned, using an albuterol, levalbuterol or similar neb regularly helps relax the bronchial passages so that other meds (like Tobramycin for pseudomonas or Breo) penetrate the lungs more effectively, and so that breathing therapy to get rid of mucus (saline, Acapela device, etc) work better. Th e nebulised solution is more effective, but if all you have is the inhaler, use that. If Ventolin, or plain albuterol makes you so shaky that you refuse to use it except in an emergency, ask your doctor for levalbuterol neb and inhaler. Brand name is Xopenex, and it was often not covered because it was expensive, but a generic form is now available. For me levalbuterol not only means less tremors, but it does not seem to raise my heart rate or blood pressure as much as albuterol.

@danielad @windwalwindwalker @pfists @tdrell

Good morning! 😃 I thank God for another day!

Two questions:

1) How many folks have been diagnosed originally with mild bronchiectasis, then have it progress to moderate or severe, and over what period of time? I know we’re all different, but just curious.

2) I’ve been diagnosed with mild Bronchiectasis & colonized with MAC since 2016. This year m. Abscessus, Candida albicans and now Mucor have shown up. But I’ve never been AFB positive until this last sputum culture. Any thoughts on this? Is the AFB + a sign disease is progressing? I’m waiting on CT & sinus scan results right now.

Thanks any and all for your input. Keep on steppin’!

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.

@noahs -- Hi! Thank you for sharing with the group! I am very sorry to hear about your lengthy ordeal; thankfully, you are feeling and getting better! I was wondering -- By chance, is your heart rhythm slow? I am asking because a slow heart rhythm (Bradycardia) also causes a lot of fatigue, and it often goes unnoticed, particularly in women.
Stay well!
-- Dee

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.

@noahs My ID doc checks my immune system periodically,
and I’m always have a couple things outside normal range. How exactly did they diagnose your rare autoimmune disorder?