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Bronchiectasis with a Side of Asthma
Bronchiectasis: a condition where damage causes the tubes in your lungs (airways) to widen or develop pouches. It makes it hard to clear mucus out of your lungs and can cause frequent infections. Coughing a lot with pus and mucus is the main symptom of bronchiectasis. Bronchiectasis can’t be cured but can be managed with treatment.
Asthma: a lung disease, where your airways get narrow and swollen and are blocked by excess mucus. Medications can treat these symptoms.
Question -- fellow co-morbid sufferers: how do you know how much bronchiectasis vs asthma? Do people with asthma alone have to clear excess mucus? What medications have helped either your asthma and/or bronchiectasis? If you feel gunky in the morning, is it more bronchiectasis than asthma? Will under treating either condition result in the worsening of the other?
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Great question! I’ve had bronchiectasis for 17 years, diagnosed at Njh with asthma 2 years ago, though I’m sure I had it for longer. Treated (successfully) for NTM in 2020/2021.
Teasing these two conditions apart is challenging. In my case it seems that the asthma causes chest tightness, exacerbated by pollen or other irritants. My pulmonologist suggested an antihistamine a few months ago and that has helped. I also use an albuterol inhaler in the morning and late afternoon prior to airway clearance.
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2 ReactionsDiagnosised with Asthma at age 2 - that was 70 years ago! Five years ago, I moved to a different part of the country. My new specialist did a complete work-up (a new thing for me) and ended up with new diagnosis of Bronchiactesis and Tracheobroncomalasia (sp?)
Figuring out which diseases causes what, seems a endless question... but the real point is to breathe! With treating all of these enemies all of the time, comes the benefit.
Takes a while throughout the day, doing the nebulizer, puffers (ventulin, Breo, Spriva) , Aerobika medications (Azithromycin 3 times a week), and the breathing exercises.
Finding the regime that works in keeping you well is paramount.
A long time ago, a doctor said to me, "Your goal is to maintain the highest possible function, for the longest possible time". This has proven to be wise words.
I am the 'ringmaster' who keeps all the 'lions' on their pedestals... it is exhausting, but if one jumps off, the others will follow.... and if a cat runs across the ring (like flu season) .. well then the real battle begins!
All the best to you in your battle.
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8 ReactionsBeat choice of words I have seen in a while .. "Your goal is to maintain the highest possible function, for the longest possible time", thanks!
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2 ReactionsMay I know why you have to take Azithromycin 3 times a week? For how long have you been taking this? What dosage? My doctor was also considering that but he did not want to start now. May I know what bacteria did you grow?
I am on Azithromycin 3 x a week for the past 9 months. It's purpose as far as I understand it is to reduce inflammation and prevent exacerbations. It is not actually being used as an antibiotic directly but has been found to have other good effects. It is not to be used if you have untreated MAC since the bugs can become resistant to it. I also have pseudomonas and it is thought to keep it a bay but not exactly as an antibiotic. You can google Azithromycin 3 times a week and bronchiectasis and see a lot of studies about this and various opinions.
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1 ReactionUsing it 3 times a week is one of the treatment options for chronic pseudomonas to keep it at bay as Liz states. Usually along with on and off cycles of Toby. I was not able to do either unfortunately. Azithromycin can affect the heart but otherwise most people seem to tolerate it well. It is both antibiotic and anti inflammatory.
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2 ReactionsI can't use Toby so this is it for my treatment. I have had no side effects at all from the Azithromycin and my cardiologist does not see it as a danger to my heart. It can cause some hearing issues I have read but I have had no issues with hearing either. It has helped me stay out of the hospital for the past 9 months and usually every September October and NOvemeber are my worst months. This year I am walking up hills something I could not do last year or the year before. Knock on Wood. Just had my pneumonia and flu shot last night so obviously today will be a rest day!
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2 ReactionsHi to sweethighland, et al,
Others have said the same explanation, for the Azithromycin, (250mg, mon., wed. and friday) as I was given... "preventative".
Last winter I had 2 bouts of pneumonia, and diagnosis with Bronchiactesis about 2-3 years ago. I also got my Prevnar-20 shot to prepare for winter. In this part of Canada, we do not get the flu vaccine serum until almost the end of October.. which makes crazy!!
I am often sick before the end of October! So I await the RSV and flu and the next Covid, and simply mask and isolate until I can get the shots!
What bug do I have... ( 🫣) I am embarrassed to say, that I don't know. I am the world's worst in getting a good, lab-worthy , sputum sample!
Am also getting ECGs to keep watch over my heart.
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1 ReactionThank you Christine. I'm glad that Azithromycin 3 days a week is helping you. My doctor is considering giving me for 3 days a week but he wants to hold that for now. I'm just like you, cold weather inflame my airways and my bronchiectasis gets worse in the winter. I will talk to my doctor about it. Thank you.
Thank you very much. Wow, you are free from pseudomanas with Azithromycin? Was your psuedomonas chronically showed up in your culture and what load may I ask? May I know your dose? My doctor is considering giving it as a preventive measure. Many patients in Europe use it 3 days a week as well.