@skylark1 Just to clarify - many if not most people with bronchiectasis are not smokers. Certain other things can predispose you to developing it - among them are asthma, GERD, some pneumonia, or some type of rheumatoid arthritis. In my immediate family, my husband was diagnosed, and also has arthritis that shows in his lungs. My daughter & I have bronch, we have both had asthma for years. My Mom had it, was never a smoker but was exposed to huge amounts of dust in her work, and suffered from frequent pneumonia.
Bronchiectasis is a progressive disease, slow in some, faster in others. To me, the most important thing is to stay healthy and avoid the bad lung infections, especially MAC and pseudomonas, which are very difficult to treat. Many people here have these and must undergo unpleasant antibiotic therapies. Clearing the airways gets rid of the mucus that provides a place for those bugs to grow, so it is very important to get some instruction and learn to do it, then to do it regularly, even if you don't feel sick.
Have you been tested to determine if there is an infection in your lungs? Sometimes the pain, coughing and difficulty breathing can be symptoms of infection, as well as fatigue and weight loss. MAC cannot be diagnosed from a simple blood test - your sputum must be cultured for 6 or 8 weeks in a special lab to see if it is present, and if so, what drugs can treat it.
I hope you continue to visit our group and ask questions - many people have a lot of experience with symptoms and doctors.
Sue