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Replies to "526laura Laura, this is what I think...…. if you have bronchiectasis, yes you have some infection...."
MAC & Bronchiectasis | Last Active: Sep 15, 2018 | Replies (27)
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526laura Laura, this is what I think...…. if you have bronchiectasis, yes you have some infection. I doubt you will ever be totally free and clear of anything. They cannot cure bronchiectasis but Mayo's told me they could manage it. So, I truly believe it's never gone. Sometimes it flares and is worse than other times. If a flare causes debilitating coughing (which is what happens to me) and you are ill, you'll know it. Oftentimes it is not the same recurring infection. It varies and therefore, sometimes the prescribed meds are varied. I think I try to not worry as much as I originally did in that you will have some strong symptoms if you are having a flare. (Again, I'm not a doctor -- just another person with the disease.)
Replies to "526laura Laura, this is what I think...…. if you have bronchiectasis, yes you have some infection...."
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@526laura and @heathert Again, I agree with you, @auntnanny , bronchiectasis is incurable but can be managed. Because of bronchiectasis, the walls of the bronchi are thickened due to chronic inflammation and/or infection. This condition results in mucus/phlegm being accumulated/trapped inside the bronchi rather than being moved up and down freely. The accumulated mucus traps bacteria becoming hot bed for infections such as MAC. Here are the most common symptoms of bronchiectasis:
•Coughing up yellow or green mucus every day
•Shortness of breath that gets worse during exacerbations
•Feeling run-down or tired, especially during exacerbations
•Fevers and/or chills, usually developing during exacerbations
•Wheezing or a whistling sound while you breathe
•Coughing up blood or mucus mixed with blood, a condition called hemoptysis
Because bronchiectasis cannot be cured, we must try our best to clear out as much accumulated phlegm as we can on a daily basis. Many in this group are using devices to help with that. I have not used anything except diligent effort to cough up as much phlegm as I can manage everyday, especially in the morning. It is working for me. But if you are like some of the others who cannot cough up any phlegm, you may want to read through the postings here to find out what others are using.