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Four years with Bronchiectasis, no major systems.
My lungs are getting worse per CTs. Pulmonologist gave me vest, to use twice a day. I am 77 years old, no major symptoms, ache in chest, after three flights have to regroup to proceed. Bronchoscopy showed nothing. Should I go to an infectious disease Doctor, while I can still go to my Zumba class.
I feel I should be doing more than maintaining when lungs are getting worse. Thank you all, I have gotten so much from this site.
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Hi
4 years later, the bronchoscopy did not show problems. It is pretty good and you can also take the Zumba dance.
What does your CT scan exactly show that is bad? Does it show that your bronchiectasis gets worse? If so, did you have lung infections during these 4 years?
Ling
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2 Reactions@playadelcarmen Welcome to Mayo Connect. We are not a very fun club to belong to but we are nice people!
Have you had a sputum culture to see if there are any infections growing in your lungs?
Sue
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2 ReactionsNo lung infections. My chest aches most days, and I do take naps more.
We were going to Mexico, snowbirds, and I wanted something to take with me for my lungs. He gave me the vest, said my lungs are so bad Medicare would pay for it. I am really concerned, but no infections just bad CTs. I do work out at least 3 days a week and walk.
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1 ReactionI had a hard time doing test because I also have nasal drainage, all the time. So sputum did not come easy, even after vest usage. I gave sample today. Maybe an infectious disease Doctor could find out why my lungs r so bad? Starting to get concerned.
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1 ReactionNo infections, has your bronchiectasis condition got worse then? You said your lungs are bad, do you have cavities? After I was diagnosed with bronchiectasis last Nov. my pulmonologist said "exercise and flutter". I think there is no treatment right now for bronchiectasis, even though there are two drugs in trial, but I don't know what the drug is for.
Sounds like you are doing what is necessary. It is good to have a sputum test to see if other issues are involved.
Best luck to you.
Ling
Thank You, How bad can my lungs get with no infections? Could this not be
Bronchiectasis? Maybe it’s something else. I don’t get infections, flareups. Bronchoscopy shows nothing??
Are you doing ACTs twice daily in addition to using vest?
What is ACTs?
Airway clearance 2x day including active cycle of breathing, autogenic drainage & huff coughing
All preceded by 7% saline via nebulizer with compressor
No, this was not told to me by my Dr. I am thinking of getting a nebulizer, where do I get the saline?