Not Dee, but Sue - I have had (diagnosed) Bronchiectasis for 5 year, probably much longer. My exacerbations do not include blood, but do include increased mucus, cough, often fever and more fatigue. My triggers are catching any respiratory virus, overdoing activities for several days in a row, and slacking on airway clearance. I can also get an exacerbation by ignoring or failing to treat increased allergy or asthma symptoms. As soon as I begin to "feel" one coming, I double my airway clearance (from once to twice a day), add a budosenide neb if my chest is tight, drink lots of extra warm fluids and rest for a day or two. If that is not enough, I have oral prednisone on hand, and start a 2 week course. This is not necessarily common, but my primary, ID doc and pulmonologist have agreed on it because I also have a systemic inflammatory reaction when I get sick, and this calms both lungs and body.

Have you learned yet what triggers your exacerbations?
Sue

Hey Amy!
I think over doing exercise or even having days packed too full tends to lower my immunity to colds, viruses, etc. It is usually in the winter months when I experience. My symptoms are increased cough, fatigue, chest congestion and this last time coughing up some blood as you described. However, I do not produce sputum…. Only when I am sick or have exerbation. I keep a low grade fever daily from MAC, they think.
Dee