Bronchiectasis: New Diagnosis

@danielad I think we all put too much on our plate and when we hit a bad slump, it hurts worse than normal! I have had a rough patch for 5 weeks! The pollen my first spring in Fl. has been BAD!
Hang in there!

@janovr -- Thank you for the encouragement! Yes, you are quite right -- Many of us have a tendency to put too much on our plates. We need to remember not to do so ... and help others by reminding them ... 😉 Stay well!!
-- Dee

@danielad Dee, over the years I have come across many articles sighting that those with bronchiectasis and/or COPD are more suseptible to getting lung cancer. I have severe COPD also, so of course those articles scared the bajeezus out of me. I chose not to worry about that. I personally don't see how having bronchiectasis can circumvent getting lung cancer. Having damaged lungs I think would possibly make the lungs weaker and more vunerable to cancer. When citing articles; we should always be careful of the source. I do not want our members to think that now they have lung cancer to worry about. Most of us will live out our lives with bronchiectasis and always trying to stay one step ahead of infections. Newer drugs have come out since many of these articles have been written too. So don't wig out people.

@windwalker as you know about me, I have other comorbid conditions (as many of us do) other than having been blessed with MAC. I also believe that so much of everybody is genetic stuff so I am hoping that because I am watched so carefully something like lung cancer will be caught early and dealt with promptly. In spite of being quite ill, I try to think of MAC now as a blessing in disguise. I pray for excellent pulmonologists and ID doctors for all of us. Thanks for being such a vigilant mentor. Hugs, Irene

Thx for looking into this! Nice to know.

@migizii - Good morning! Glad to help! I will share with you my "philosophy" on what is often addressed as "Knowledge is Power". To begin with, I believe that an "informed" person is a better patient and a better advocate for her/himself. "Knowledge" also helps in regaining a sense of "control" over our own lives.

HOWEVER, we MUST take all research/studies with great caution. Some studies are flawed, old, or not applicable to us, or ... you name it. Though I use only "reputable" sites, including those at top Research University Hospitals, I am very aware of all the negative potentials I mentioned above. Still, I believe there is a lot of value to be found in many studies and research, and I have often discussed their findings with my doctors. I found that the better doctors will know about most, if not all, research conducted in their specialty and are glad to share their thoughts with you. Have a wonderful day and stay well! 🙂
-- Dee

@danielad- Morning Dee. Hear hear hear! Exactly, knowledge is power and can help you gain back some sort of balance in your life. Where do you go to search for more knowledge?

Are there certain foods and beverages that I should stay away from with having Bronchiectasis?

Hi kpost2. I avoid all dairy as it is mucus producing for me. I hope this helps.

@kpost2 Do you also have MAC, and are you being treated with antibiotics? If so, you need to avoid alcoholic beverages because the antibiotics are very hard on liver and kidneys, and alcohol just adds to the load.
Are you suffering weight loss as the result of bronchiectasis and/or MAC? You need to be especially alert to maintain adequate calorie intake, especially a good amount of protein, as it helps maintain & repair tissue.
Also, many with bronchiectasis have GERD (reflux), either with symptoms or without (aka "silent GERD".) If you are among them, you should be following GERD precautions to avoid gastric fluids getting into your lungs, causing more damage. Search for "GERD Diet" or "GERD precautions" and look at sites ending in .edu or .org for the best research-based information. Avoid paying attention to sites trying to sell you anything, whether it is supplements, special food, or "secrets..."
Other than that, avoid foods that make you feel worse. If you decide to eliminate dairy, be sure you use adequate calcium supplements. There is also some evidence that bronchiectasis is associated with low Vitamin D levels, bronchiectasisnewstoday.com/bronchiectasis-experimental-treatments/vitamin-d/. Maybe talk to your pulmonologist about Vitamin D-3 testing & supplementation.