Updated BE Treatment Guidelines

Thanks for posting these. Good info!

You are welcome. Personally I enjoy reading scientific articles, especially when they include cool graphics, but they aren't for everyone. The image below explains the Vicious Vortex theory of BE, and possible treatment approaches.

First time I've read bronchiectasis described as a common condition (in the 1 page summary).

@wolfplanetzero Thanks for posting the information.
This really caught my eye in the Recommendations Paragraph, especially,..... the words "high risk exacerbations." "We issue a strong recommendation for the use of long-term macrolide treatment for patients at high risk of exacerbations."
I was diagnosed in 2022 and know for sure I was living with BE a good four years or more prior to the diagnosis. I was clearing a deep yellow green mucus plug every so often and was having shortness of breath. I have not had an exacerbation, felt well and feel well, I can do all I need to do for myself including my exercise routine and postural drainage etc. etc. (just that there isn't enough time in the day to get all I need done and in consideration of getting enough recovery time, sleep.) in spite of having a continual low load of MAI for the last several years. It was my choice not to start the antibiotics when it was recommended that I start them by the Tyler doctor. I am no longer having the breathlessness I had before doing the therapy for Bronchiectasis.
I so appreciate those on this site who helped me to feel well about my decision not to start the antibiotics at 81 years of age....nearly two years ago.
Thankful and grateful for what I can do and how I feel overall and hoping for good outcomes for us all.
Barbara

Hi Barbara,
How did you get rid of shortness of breath? When I have exacerbations, the symptom I have is shortness of breath.
I hope you continue to do well. You are inspirational.

Thanks!
Ling

adding my thanks to @wolfplanetzero for posting these new guidelines.

@wangling I believe, I don't know for sure, it has been the air way clearance methods that has me clearing out the mucus plugs each session. In other words, all that one must do to help clear the mucus and mucus plugs. Exercise, eating well, good nights sleep, nebulizing, air way clearance techniques with the huff coughing. Again, I have BE with the MAI infection and have not taken the Big 3, so far. We are all different in terms of genes, attitude, where we live etc. etc.....so all that probably makes a difference Ling.
That's for your wishes of 'continue to do well.'
Barbara

@scoop In the first paragraph of the full report Bronchiectasis is described as a ‘common disease’ and a ‘historically a neglected disease’.

Hopefully BE gets more attention now. It’s been the third most common lung condition after COPD and asthma and yet many doctors / physicians have been basically unaware they should be getting CT scans, sputum cultures etc for patients who have systems. Perhaps they’ll also ask patients about the mucus or phlegm and suggest they do some airway clearance.

A diagnostic approach that catches infections earlier with targeted antibiotic treatment would prevent a certain percentage of people getting this chronic condition or at least postponing some of the symptoms to later in life.

The Europeans also developed the mucus colour chart that I told my pulmonologist about when I was doing some initial research after being diagnosed.

Thank you, Barbara.
Airway clearance is so fundamental in keeping us safe from infections. I have so many infections, I don't know if the infection ever cleared or I keep getting it. I felt that I did all I could, but apparently not enough. Keep up the good work and do well.
Ling

@wangling I have a thought. I found an allergist and an immunologist (same person) who checked my allergies and all immunoglobulins levels ( IgG and its subclasses, IgE IgM, vit D level) and her goal is to improve my immunity level. She is also into natural medicine and so far with her help my immunity improved looking at the immunoglobulines levels. Well we try what we can. Yes my immunity level improved but my last ct scan showed BE progresses. I hope I will be less times sick though. If you would like please email me on my personal email