Trying to cope with bronchiectasis

@terri7444 Welcome to Mayo Connect. I think you will find our support group to be very friendly and supportive.
There is some much information here that you could get lost in it - here are some resources to start you -
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/macntm-is-different-for-everyone-treatment-might-be-different-too/
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/resources-for-the-abcs-on-bronchiectasis-and-mac-ntm/
If you want to share something with others, here is a very clear explanation of what Bronchiectasis is, how it affects the body, exacerbations, precautions, etc.
https://www.blf.org.uk/sites/default/files/BK33_Bronchiectasis_v1_2017_PDFdownload.pdf
Finally, after all the testing ang doctor visits, have you also been tested for MAC and Pseudomonas, two of our big infections? I ask because you mention your colorful sputum.
Sue

I had a bronchoscopy to confirm I had MAC. I been on the 3 antibiotics for a year and am waiting on another CT scan. I may be able to come off the meds soon. I am in Australia so value being able to talk with other MACpatients. Hope this is useful. Go gently. 🌄

Note: I had colored - green and yellow - sputum when I did not have pseudomonas or MAC (sputum checked 3 times plus broncoscopy) just to make the point that the color may not be indicative of the bad guys!

I tell some people the name and that it is like cystic fibrosis though not as bad and also often I just tell people I have really bad allergies! You do get used to living with it more or less but flare ups are annoying and undermine any progress you made exercising etc. I try to say to myself..."think of what you can do not what you can't do" and just take each day as it comes.

My pulmonologist said that people with Bronchiectasis can produce colored mucus routinely. He said it is more important to go by how you feel as indication of a flare/infection. However the more I find out and read it does seem the color is indicative of something in and of itself. I find it a bit confusing and no doubt if my pseudomonas could be magically cured, my sputum would change color! Perhaps he is saying that with Bronchiectasis there may always be some bacteria present producing colored sputum but until it makes you sick it is not considered an exacerbation? Not sure on this. Seems those doing well on this forum say they produce clear or lightly colored sputum.

Mine changes color during the day! Sometimes light yellow then a few hours later some greenish then later maybe some regular yellow! Very odd and almost entertaining! One of my theories is that when I am having an allergic reaction the sputum is more green (contains MPO) and when it's more normal production it is lighter yellow...but who knows. If I use hair spray it is guaranteed to produce green...so I don't use hair spray anymore.

Hello @irenea8
I too am concerned about the color of sputum. It is generally light green. When I report it, My pulmonologist immediately requests a sputum sample and prescribes a strong antibiotic. She is so quick to prescribe it that I am at times reluctant to report green sputum. Would it be helpful to ask your Pulmonologist what other symptoms they think indicates an infection? Is it possible to have an infection and feel fine?
Keep us posted.

Hello, Yes he did talk about symptoms that would indicate a flare such as just not feeling well, feeling very tired, loss of appetite, no motivation, changes in breathing or heart rate (he did not mention the last ones but I think he would agree). I do not think you can have an infection and feel fine BUT there are degrees of infection so you might feel "okish". I think most people with Bronchiectasis are able to keep themselves relatively infection free while treating occasional flares and they can tell the difference. But I live with chronic infection since I have chronic pseudomonas so I always have symptoms. I can have "ok" days or bad days or more rarely what I would call good days. My sputum is always quite colored.

Could it be useful to gauge the color of sputum as it relates to timing? In other words, the first two huffs out are a deeper color than the last several huffs out. Somewhere along the line I picked up that the darker mucous has been down in the lungs longer. If you start out greenish, but end with pale yellow, to clear, then that might indicate less likelihood of infection. If you start out greenish and end greenish, then possibly something could be brewing. This is the way I’ve thought about it I don’t know if it’s correct? For me, how much I clear, how I am feeling, how much I get done during the day, frequency of exercise, etc. are bell weathers of health.

Degrees of infection is an interesting observation. I routinely test positive for bacteria. Colored sputum as well as clear are normal for me. In the past my pulmonologist would have prescribed an antibiotic. Now I see it more as cohabiting and just try to clear it out without using antibiotics.