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I've had bronchiectasis for over 30 years
Having delt with this most of my life it is getting a little more difficult. At the beginning I followed every recommendation the Dr's. suggested . CT every 6 months, multiple sputum samples, many bronscopy, many cases of pneumonia, & worst case was empyema in the hospital for 2 weeks. Chest tubes & the infection was so bad 3 people shoved multiple syringes in my back pulling pus out, I forgot how much the total was because I passed out at 4 when I seenthe dark gray/green pus in the syringe. I'm now in my mid 70s and feel I've been thru alot. If you have questions I will share some of my non conventional & experimental things I've done (not suggested by a doctor). I figure at this.point in my life I will experiment with my own body.
I am not a Dr. or have any medical experience.
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@dogtag haven't been on this site long - how do I get a hold of or correspond with you
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4 ReactionsI would love to know what your daily regimen is now to try and keep lungs clear, fight infection, etc.
How much mullein do you take? I have tea and purchased the tincture at Amazon. Found the capsules at Whole Foods and they say to take 3 times a day. I have been using the Nebulizer and Smart Vest but it is not generating coughing to clear up the lungs. When I do cough, I am coughing up mucus so not sure what you are talking about when you suggest something different.
When I developed these problems 3 years ago, scan showed bronchiectasis and potential MAC. Several attempts at sputum tests did not confirm MAC but I had classic symptoms so who knows. Mine is always worse this time of year because I have young grandkids that are almost always sick. I am on the maintenance antibiotic 3 days a week and seem to be better doing that but there is concern that I will develop a resistance. I play tennis at least 3 times a week and do resistance training with weights. Any advice appreciated.
Were you officially diagnosed with Bronchiectasis over 30 years ago???? Because when you listen to the medical establishment for the last couple of years, they make it sound like it’s sooo rare almost like it’s a brand new disease finding. I personally think it is/was MISDIAGNOSED for many years as COPD or asthma, Dr.s Doctors who only had tunnel vision, and failed to do any or proper testing. Primarily CT Scan.
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2 Reactions@picartist I started this Bronchiectasis chat a while back and am so happy that people are reacting and giving input! I steep mullein leaves for 15 minutes and then sip it (2 cups) during the day. I also simmer a tablespoon of whole cloves I 2-3 cups of water for 15 minutes. It is supposed help with lung health. I was never able to cough up this horrid balls of mucus prior to doing the mullein and cloves. It thins out the mucus and ;I can easily cough it up. It works for me and I will continue doing it forever!
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2 Reactions@maryrn7 sorry! I started the Bronchiectasis chat.. not this one!
@spider109 You need to remember that CT scans were new, rare, and very expensive 30 years ago. Many smaller hospitals didn't even have them - you were sent to a larger medical center for imaging. So physicians worked with the tools they had.
My Mom had lung issues, most probably Bronchiectasis for 30 years or more before she died in 2011, but it was only diagnosed about 5 years prior to her death, during a heart CT that took the cardiologist about 6 months of appeals to get approved.
I attribute the recent increase in diagnosed cases, especially asymptomatic ones, to the "preventive" screening many former smokers are getting for lung cancer, and the much wider use of CT scans in general. This is great because BE is diagnosed in early stages - if people continue to monitor, and if needed, to make adjustments like doing airway clearance if their condition progresses.
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