A quirky manifestation of bronchiectasis

Posted by paxmundi @paxmundi, 12 hours ago

I have a history of moderately advanced tuberculosis I contracted in India at age 19. I am now 73. Had a massive hemoptysis in 2012 and almost died; my bronchial artery was embolized in two places. Slowly after that the bronchiectasis symptoms kicked in.
Coughing up the phlegm doesn't work for me. It always feels unreachable and the trauma of coughing feels and is dangerous in my case. My airways are delicate and bleed easily. The way I have controlled my bronchiectasis since it worsened in October 2023 is by drinking copious amounts of warm water throughout the day ( I now add minerals to it) and eating only soups with high liquid content. Periodically in a day, I can feel a mucus plug building, and then I start drinking a lot of very warm water. It usually clears it within minutes. I cannot handle eating ordinary meals anymore as they cause a lot of congestion and soon thereafter, I start spitting up blood. Once in a great while, I can eat some chinese vegetables, or some other light meal, but very infrequently. When the bleeding comes, if it persists, I end up needing a CT scan to rule out a major rupture, and then a round of antibiotics for a good 10 days. The only other things I don is daily yoga, guaifenesin occasionally, and stack breathing. Does anyone else with bronchiectasis have a profile anything like mine?

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@paxmundi
Hello! I do not have the same difficulties as yourself, but I am wondering: why do you take the guaifenesin "occasionally". I have found this to be very helpful in 'moving' the sputum much easier.
I take 600mg twice a day. Without it, I am coughing more, and struggling with 'glue'-like mucous. The guai keeps things more liquid.
You are already drinking lots of water, perhaps this would prove helpful for you too.
All the best.

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