Anyone have Athsma & Bronchiectasis?

Hi bshiver Welcome You, like so many here have so much in your lives. I am overwhelmed at what so many go though. I am just getting to realis what is changing in me and what will I need to do to start handling these conditions and I will definitely need to go on the internet to understand what you are saying on the medical side but I am learning from those who have contacted me. Thank you for the non medical information that I can look into.

@1fancydancear @lreid51 I have been an asthmatic since birth as well. Only a year ago I was diagnosed with bronchiectasis though I know I had it 3 years prior. It just took a new pulmonologist and the correct labs and imaging to properly diagnose. I also use the Baxter The Vest APX, aerobika, nebulizer with ipratropium bromide 0.5 mg/albuterol sulfate 3mg (3-4x daily) and twice a day I follow it with sodium chloride 7%. I also have pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) and aspergillus fumigatus (AF) amongst a couple of others. I have been corticosteroid/prednisone to steroid inhaler dependent since childhood I have now switched from Advair diskus to Symbicort (with mask and spacer) because recently Symbicort was approved for use up to 16x per day and has an element of what is called SMART approach which has both maintenance and immediate relief components-budesonide (reduces inflammation) and formoterol (fast-acting bronchodilator) (NIH/PubMed). I never go anywhere without a portable nebulizer which can fit in a small purse. I take other natural remedies and approaches to help such as using organic mullein extract (alcohol free) (Nutra Harmony)...I use it in my coffee or hot tea every day. I have begun using more pure essential oils-diluted (which I have to be careful that the scent doesn't exacerbate). I use air purifiers, drink lots of fluids, limit mucus-producing foods and drinks, & try to stick to an anti-inflammatory diet (not always successful here). For the past year, I have been doing detoxes which specifically related to not only parasites but mold, fungus, etc. I have really liked the https://rogershood.com (parify kit) and they make a nut-free version for those of us who have allergies to nuts. It is all natural and mild, but it has helped me tremendously with the PA & AF which are both so hard to eliminate once they have made their home in your lungs. I had to give up gardening 100%, which was one of the most difficult things for me as I was diagnosed with RA in 2019 and since 2020 I have undergone more than 27 surgeries. Taking Biologics for asthma this past 9 years has caused many known and unknown health problems for me....one of which RA (Duplixent) (see NIH/PubMed) & since I've taken so many of these (Xolair, Nucala, Tezspire, Dupixent, Fasenra), my asthma was awesome but the altering of my immune system allowed the breeding ground to grow in my lungs....etc. I am currently trying to stay off all of immune suppressants except for the steroid inhaler and the occasional steroid pack (which I also try to avoid as I have secondary adrenal insufficiency). So RA inhibited my athleticism/mobility in sports & other activities...this is when I took up gardening which became my new obsession. Well, now I've been told absolutely no to gardening of any kind that requires soil (of any kind). Thinking of hydroponics but need to do more research about molds, etc. I do the same thing when showering as one of you stated with leaving the door open as not not breathe in any molds, have filters. Still looking for an entire new water filtration system. I have begun with soaking my organic veggies for 15 minutes to eliminate not only parasites but fungus, etc. As we all are aware, stress-reduction is a must. Living life on pause or sloth-mode is not suited to my personality or past, so this is difficult for me. I have begun using tuning forks (weighted and unweighted) though i am a novice. I had to do a lot of research beforehand as I didn't want to invite anything hokey in that I did not desire. I listen to meditation and as a Christian, I chose John Eldredge "Wild at Heart" Pause App. Also music I listen to while I'm working from home and trying to concentrate and bring some peace to this high strung soul is William Augusto "Soaking in His Presence" which is instrumental. Well, there is so much more to living this new life, isn't there?! Have a great day.

@lreid51 Hi Lynn. I forgot to mention that I did recently finish a 90 day low dose of azithromycin for the PA. My pulmonologist says that azithromycin not only fights bacterial infections but also has anti-fungal properties. I will probably undergo another round soon. I also agree with the others that smoke (fire or otherwise), scents such as many types of candles, air fresheners, perfumes, exhaust, scented body lotions, higher elevations, cold weather cause labored breathing. For those who also have allergies or who have sinus issues and use saline irrigation/rinses, there is one that my allergist recommended with xylitol (I ordered NeilMed Sinus Rinse with Xylitol). He also said that there are benefits to the lungs and ears using Xylitol. I did do a little research, and it does seem there is something to this.

@lreid51 Hi Lynn, Bronchiectasis is primarily the result of chronic inflammation. There are many diseases that can cause BE: asthma, cystic fibrosis, COPD, chronic infections, etc. I would think if the blood clots were causing irritation, they were also causing inflammation. Disease symptoms like inflammation and coughing will make BE worse. So BE will progressively get worse (though for many the new drug Brinsupri is hoped to stop the progression). As for the asthma, have you had the Exhaled Nitric Oxide test? The Methacholine Test? Do you have a NJH certified BE Clinic in your area? NJH is considered the top pulmonary clinics in US for BE and many of us on this site have gone there. Extremely thorough. In fact, one of the conferences I viewed, Dr Daly from NJH stated that most of the patients that got to NJH are referred by the certified BE Clinics. I still have my local doctors, but my NJH doctors are my specialists. My local ID doctor told me she has my NJH ID doctors cell phone number in her phone contacts-and they talk. You should be able to find a good info on Brinsupri and how it works. Just google: "How does Brinsupri work".

@kathyjjb I am off tomorrow for a Pulmonary Function test so I hope they will help me to be able to breath better. Still waiting for the Respirologist to set up an appointment. I am trying to be patient but time seems to be passing so slow.

@kaypnw Curious if you also tried allergy immunotherapy (aka allergy shots)?

@bshiver

I am a Christian too. The only way that I survive this life at this point is knowing that God has allowed this to happen and He will walk me through it. I was very angry with God for 3 years. In the end, I settled it by looking back on the miracles in my life, the successes, the blessings and some real mess- ups too. I can be either grateful or mad. I choose grateful. Good luck and God bless you.