Anyone have Athsma & Bronchiectasis?

Hi Lynn, My local pulmonologist diagnosed me with asthma about 12 years ago. 20 years ago I was diagnosed with very mild BE and reactive airways at NJH. I went to NJH last May and the NOx test and the methyl choline challenge came back negative for asthma. Since I was testing positive for M. Abscessus NJH wanted me to taper off my Trelegy and advised me not to use inhaled steroids, which I did. NJH Pulm suggested I use Anora (or Anoro), my insurance would not pay for it. My local Pulm agrees that I have BE but still believes I have asthma. So at this point, I'm just confused. I now use Airsupra, but only as needed. Fortunately, I can go days and even weeks without using the Airsupra. I am hoping my insurance will cover Brinsupri, so I can get started on that. If taking Brinsupri helps me with my inflammation, that should tell me if the inflammation is caused by asthma (or reactive airway disease) or BE. This is just my experience, I know many are diagnosed with both asthma and BE but I think some people with BE might be misdiagnosed with asthma-since inflammation is a symptom of both.

@kaypnw

Been on allergy shots since I was 2 years old. 69 now. They help immensely. Tried to get off 2 times over the years and found myself in the emergency room both times. Allergy shots will change your life. They work!

@ecmoandrrt

Several years ago I had to pull over in the car because I could not breathe. I knew it was an asthma attack. I was right down the road from the hospital but could not get there. I had to get out of the car to stand tall and try to breathe. I called the hospital and told them I was having breathing problems. They put me thru, thank God, to the emergency room. I told the nurse what was happening and that I had taken my limit of emergency drugs. 4 puffs and it still was not working. She screamed into the phone, "Take more... as many as you need to breathe." So I did, and I finally was able to get my lungs to open enough to breathe. Very scary, but they tell you usually two puffs of emergency inhaler. It was about 8 total that one day. The most I have ever had to take. I usually have to take 3 any other time. The tree huggers caused the pharmaceutical companies to change their propellant years ago. The inhalers never worked as well again. They all had counters on them as well. Get to the bottom, it doesn't come out in full doses anymore either. I throw all of my inhalers away at about 20 puffs left and get new ones. Thank God I only have to use maybe 1 emergency inhaler in a years time and then I throw most of it away and get a new one.

Hi there, I am more complicated than most people replying on this post. In addition to asthma and bronchiectasis, I have CVID- a Primary Immunodeficiency. It stands for Common Variable Immune Deficiency. I get anywhere from 6-8 sinus infections a year. I do subcutaneous treatments (infusions) weekly, so that helps me some. I do my netti pot and navage from time to time, need to be more regular with that. I like to get in the sauna and steam room as well. I use nose sprays- saline spray and flonase and zyrtec. I see a Rhinologist and ENT, Immunologist, Pulmonologist and my allergy Dr-which she is also my Immunologist. I have an inhaler- level albuterol and Budesonide that I use. In addition, I also use a nebulizer- level albuterol and I have a more natural solution that my Functional Medicine Dr. gave me for my nebulizer. I wear a mask when I am outside and in places where I am around a lot of people. I am allergic to grass, trees, mold, pollen, etc... it helps tremendously so I'm not sneezing all the time or getting colds, etc... I also take Singulair, which helps with my breathing. I am going to a Functional Medicine Dr. right now and she has been wonderful. I would highly recommend going to one. Warning, insurance doesn't cover everything with Functional Medicine Dr's, so there are some out of pocket cost expenses. My Functional Medicine Dr. did a whole slew of labwork on me, as I have been having a lot of fatigue, muscle aches, very little energy. I got back some interesting results- I was low on B vitamins and I have abnormal issues going on with my thyroid too. She has recommended supplements and vitamins and a new -vitamin and a different nebulizer solution. They have a health coach, who has examined my food log and made recommendations on different foods that I could switch to and focus on more veggies, protein/meats and some fruits. I did get food testing done, as well. I have had that done in the past too. I have several food intolerances, so if you haven't had any type of food testing done on you, I would highly recommend that. I had no clue I had issues with wheat/gluten and dairy/eggs! I am gluten free, wheat free and dairy/egg free. I do feel so much better after cutting all that out. There is 2 types of food testing and it is great to get both of them, why- because you get 2 different types of results, as they aren't the same type of test. Allergies Dr- typical food allergy testing- is done "prick" style, with a needle on your arm or back. Alternative food testing is done in a lab taking your blood and testing it in a lab. Well, you get a report back on what food allergies/intolerances you have and they grade it by a 3 being the highest and 2 medium and 1 is a low intolerance. My acid reflux has improved as well from changing my diet. My asthma is the "coughing" kind of asthma, occasionally I will wheeze or hear whistling when I breathe. I have very mild asthma. The bronchiectasis is a newer diagnosis that I got a year ago. I do see a Lung Specialist, called a Lung Nodule Specialist- as I have 2 lung nodules, however they are very tiny. Hope this helps you!

Thank you for this information I am new to this and it gave me an understanding and more information about this condition.

There are many videos on YouTube explaining how to do airway clearing technique with huff cough--this is how I learned; doing this twice daily helps clear mucus from lungs in people with bronchiectasis.

Also, my pulmonologist gave me a "flutter valve" to blow into every day; it vibrates my chest and helps loosen the mucus (good for people with bronchiectasis). You can search for flutter valve and find examples.

@scoop
Yes, I did do allergy shots for 6 years. I had severe allergies to all the major tree pollens. Now, I hardly have any symptoms during pollen season!

Oh one more thing I've told to 1000s of patients.

You have Asthma and you have an attack. You get your MDI. If those two to four puffs are not working? TAKE more puffs!! Take eight to ten and GET TO ER!!! Don't WAIT because that could be death!!!

One of my dear friends had Asthma and was a Respiratory Therapist. We were working together(at our hospital) and he kept taking aerosols. He was in ER and they wanted to admit him. He refused as he wanted to go to his hospital(a lot of us have favorite hospital)!! NO. We begged him to stay. He said he could make it.
He died in the parking lot of HIS hospital.

Public service announcement over.

My comments:
PEP (Positive Expiratory Pressure) therapy works by using a handheld device with a valve or resistor that you breathe out into, creating back pressure in your airways to hold them open, loosen sticky mucus, and move it up so you can cough or huff it out, with some devices adding vibrations to further dislodge mucus, common for conditions like Cystic Fibrosis or COPD or Bronchiectasis. Oscillating PEP (OPEP) devices, like Flutter or Acapella, add vibrations (fluttering) to the air, which helps shake mucus loose from the airway walls. Cough/Huff: After several breaths (around 10-15), you stop the device and perform "huff coughs" (a strong, forced exhalation with an open mouth) to bring the loosened mucus up and out.
I use Acapella, Aerobika. It really works.

lreid51 You MUST make appointments with Allergist and Pulmonary. ASAP. This is serious. Reading what we do is fine. But also useless without you having good Drs. prescribing the best treatments for you. And make sure you tell them everything(I take notes with me if I forget).
We are all different and what I have might not be for you.

@kaypnw

Wow that is a lot to handle!
You are doing everything right and correct.
Bravo/Brava

I take all the vaccines of course. Especially RSV.
I wear a mask in public. Hand washing is the most important. Also I try never to use public restrooms. Why? Fecal Matter is aerosolized when you flush and travels around the BR. So your breathing that in without wearing a mask it's not good. Yuck.
One day at at a time.