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How do you handle a flare up or exacerbation?
It's that time of year when the "bugs" come out - colds, flu, bronchitis -too many to mention. With lungs damaged by MAC and/or Bronchiectasis, getting sick is always scary because of the danger of all our symptoms flaring, or getting a new infection.
What precautions do you take as the "sick season" approaches?
What do you do when you feel a cold or other illness coming on? Do you make any changes in your airway clearances, diet or activities?
What do you do when you actually become ill? Do you have a routine or plan with your doc as to when to "wait it out" and when to call them?
Let's hear how everyone manages, please?
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I tried to post my question regarding this topic but "it" would not let me.
Question: Are there specific treatments that should or can be done during a MAC "flare up"? Should one go to see their physician when they have a "flare up" or do you just have to deal with it until you get over it because there is no additional treatment other than your usual airway clearance ( aerobika, albuterol & saline nebs, cough, etc)?
Ha! I found a way aound the computer difficulty and posted my question! I would appreciate any insights into my question. Thank You!
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2 ReactionsGreat questions @sueinmn !
Prevention
The usual: masking, hydrating, hand washing, fruits/veggies, avoid crowds (which at times is impossible) enough sleep and movement. Whenever there's a sunny and relatively warm day, I try to sit outside in the sun for 10-15 minutes.
What do you do when you feel a cold or other illness coming on?
There seems to be a fine line for me between feeling something coming on and illness, likely due to mild immune def and sinus issues.
Ideally for a flare, I will drop off a sputum sample at the lab. There must be an order in my chart, otherwise, the lab rejects it. This has happened more times than I care to remember. As a patient it would be great if I could check my chart to see if there's an order. (My medical center is transitioning to Epic and maybe that's a feature?) If I am feeling really crappy, doc will start me on something after the sputum drop, otherwise I wait to see what grows. Clearance increases from 2 times to 3 or even 4, which is really hard because I feel poorly. Rest as much as possible.
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1 ReactionMy pulmonary dr in the past gave me doxycycline and short term high dose oral prednisone for exacerbations. I haven't had any this year so I don't know if the treatment would be different.