Therapy for anxiety dealing with Bronchiectasis

Posted by jjudah @jjudah, 1 day ago

Has anyone had to seek therapy for mental health regarding the anxiety dealing with Bronchiectasis and everything that comes with it? I have always had a very full schedule and active life. Now with having to nebulize and use a flutter valve 2 times a day along with cleaning everything and not to mention when the nebulizer and flutter valve don’t work, sometimes it takes well over an hour to complete this. And then to have to deal with this 2 times a day! Help!

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I did have to seek therapy. When I was diagnosed with MAC & bronchiectasis, I was pissed off. I was a very healthy person and then it all hit at once. Now I have ABPA. I have to do nasal rinses 2x a day, my Wixela inhaler 2x a day and nebulize 2x a day. Yes, it takes time and sometimes I don't want to do it. I'm really tired of coughing up yucky stuff too. I guess I shouldn't complain.

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@jjudah I too was nearly "broken" by MAC and what it did to my life. Then came Covid before I fully recovered, all while dealing with chronic pain. My primary referred me to a pain rehab clinic, which included counseling that helped me to deal with my changed life.
She helped me figure out how to accept the changes - AND more importantly, how to decide what was truly necessary to safeguard my health and at the same time have a semblance of normality.
I have figured out a routine that works for me. The biggest adjustment was to accept that some days airway clearance will be incomplete, and that's okay. The second was to learn to "let go" of trying to eradicate MAC/NTM from my environment. I keep my asthma under control, filter my water, keep my water heaters above 130f, clean my equipment after each use, but only sterilize weekly (unless in an exacerbation.) I have continued traveling, gardening, swimming (outdoors) and hanging out with the people I love. If I miss a day of airway clearance, or start to feel a "bug" coming on, I double down on airway clearance and rest for a few days. Except for during a Covid infection last year, I am exacerbation free for over 4 years, and most recently tested negative for MAC and pseudomonas in September.
This webinar by Dr Jennifer Honda may help you decide what is vital, and what you can choose to give up in terms of managing your disease:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/overwhelmed-by-bronchiectasis-must-dos-watch-this-video/
It took me years to get to this point, but her talk validated my point of view.

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I am managing right now but am overwhelmed. From using 1 Kenneth albuterol and sodium chloride a day to twice a day plus flutter valve and airway clearance twice a day. The airway clearance takes forever. It feels overwhelming.

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Profile picture for sharonednaramsey @sharonednaramsey

I am managing right now but am overwhelmed. From using 1 Kenneth albuterol and sodium chloride a day to twice a day plus flutter valve and airway clearance twice a day. The airway clearance takes forever. It feels overwhelming.

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@sharonednaramsey Nebulizer’s… I hate auto correct

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Yes you are not alone. After three years since my diagnosis I still have moments when I am angry at my life or cry and hate nebulizing, and huff coughing and making these embarrassing noises when trying to clear my lungs. I tried antianxiety med but had bad headaches so decided against it. I know, I know it’s all about accepting your condition but honestly I try not to think how it’s going to be in a few years with age and lowering energy.

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