Too many flares

I’m sorry that you’re having a bad time with this condition, I know from experience how hard it can be to get through this, although our health problem is not exactly the same, the symptoms are very similar. I always had a lot to coughing and that really wore me out because it took so much energy away from me, combined with shortness of breath with breathing difficulties. Every time it flared up I would go on antibiotics for treatment, however I read that we can build up an immunity to them just like any other medicine and eventually I don’t think that they were very effective for me. I now prefer to rely on inhalers for healing, they help open up my airways and also help to strengthen the lungs. I think that it would be helpful to speak with the doctor about changing your medication and see what works best for you, antibiotics have and still are often over prescribed, this is not to say that they don’t offer any benefit but it could be possible that your system is perhaps getting immune to them.

I think you're right, and I will ask the doctor about it. I'm afraid not to use the antibiotics. What if it gets worse and I get aspiration pneumonia? The energy drain is really a problem. I don't cough though; I just weaken.! I have a feeling that every time I go through a flare, I have weakened my lung function.

Perhaps you can ask your doc for a barium swallow test so they can help get to causes of your aspiration and then have you get speech therapy training to swallow so you don’t aspirate. I’ve done it and the exercises helped.

There is a frequent exacerbator phenotype in bronchiectasis. Brinsupri might help with it but it's not magic. Still need to keep up with airway clearance.

@hicopd
I went to the emergency room because the antibiotic was not working, and I found out that what I have was viral, not infectious, apparently not connected to a flare. Just like if you're a hammer everything looks like a nail, for me now everything looks like it's from my lungs. I dread getting sick from a cold or flu this winter because it will further reduce my function.

@cressida92
I had Barium swallow test as well as a Fees test. Both tested normal because at that moment, there was no problem. I know the causes of my aspiration. I have a hiatal hernia. I have vocal cords that have atrophy a little because of my age, and I have some dysphagia. A perfect storm. thanks for reminding me about speech pathology. I'll try to find someone. I did have someone once but other than just lots of swallowing to strengthen the muscles, there wasn't anything else she told me.

@scoop Brinsupri not available if you're a Medicare

@frouke I think you're right about being over prescribe actually my doctor doesn't want me to take them, but I'm afraid not to. I'm nebulizing rather than inhaling. Do you nebulize?

@cressida92, I was treated for about two weeks, I went to the hospital as an outpatient, it’s a very helpful treatment when you’re dealing with the need for more rapid relief during a difficult period of time, I hope that you feel better soon, best wishes.

@cressida92 Many of our members who are on Medicare use Brinsupri. Some are covered by their Part D insurance (plans vary widely) and others by the financial aid offered by the drug maker.