I was diagnosed with bronchiectasis 16 years ago by a pulmonologist. I had never heard of bronchiectasis. I was having a bad bronchitis episode. He told me the good news was that my bronchiectasis was not bad enough to remove part of my lung! He gave me no information about the disease and when I asked him if I would recover to the point I was before the bronchitis, he said, "No, you will never get better! You will be on an antibiotic every 2 months for the rest of your life." I was horrified and went back to my Primary and told her I needed a referral to another pulmonologist. I'm on my 7th pulmonologist now and have found that very few of them have tried to educate me in this disease. I learned to cope with my disease by doing a lot of research, which I continue to do. Supplements and herbals have helped tremendously.

A Pulmonologist diagnosed at the request of our family physician.

I was fourteen when diagnosed. Which meant I didn't go thru the "learning to cope" phase. Because I was a teenage boy with an unquenchable desire to go out and play. That is all I wanted to do. The diagnosis meant nothing to me. All I knew was I had a few lung infections per year in between my play time.

I've always had good primary care physicians and lung specialists. They provided me with information when I was younger but I held no interest. I didn't develop an interest in researching bronchiectasis until I was forty-six. I still maintain the interest and prefer to do most of the fact finding and medical study reading myself.

I was diagnosed by a doctor and also went to see other doctors to get more explanation. I think the doctors were not able to give a clear statement that this disease is a chronic disease and it will last forever. I learned that bronchiectasis is a chronic disease because I found COPD Foundation website on 2015. The doctors didn’t give much information for me and my family to really understand this disease. And my family believed that this disease can be cured, which is toxic for me. Online resources really helped me to learn about this disease. Stories from other patients (online) also really helped me.

Made,

I can relate- family and friends often do not understand invisible disorders. I hope that your family has been informed more about Bronchiectasis over the past few years

I mostly have gone to get my test results on my own. Then I research myself. I was diagnosed 2.5 years ago. I have seen 5 pulmo doctors since that time. The current doctor is adequate and has a nice bedside manner. She seems to be able to do what is needed. That is the best I have found. The other 4 were unbelievably bad and neglectful. I think this illness will be more self help and self advocating. No one ever told me anything about it. I know I still have a lot to learn. Since my diagnosis I have had 2 pneumonias and a lung infection.

Jean,

Hello! We are here for you! I hope that you can learn preventative strategies on this site to avoid a ton of infections. Cumulative infections can take a toll on the gut microbiome due to a lot of antibiotics. Airway clearance, basic infection control procedures and many other tips which have been previously posted. Please ost any specific questions. I don’t want you to learn the hard way that many of us have experienced. Have a pleasant evening. Kati

Jean,

So glad to read your comment. It takes awhile to read, absorb and to apply all the newly acquired information. However, knowledge is power- you are in the right path.

You are taking action steps towards your goals

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I have had a lot of Phlegm and coughed a lot for over 40 yrs. I have had pneumonia about 5 times. Ever sense I have received the Flu Shot I have not had it again. I have a lot of coughing up of mucus everyday it starts at about 3:00p.m. And I cough until 1 a.m. I am on inhalers and I use the nebulizer occasionally. I am 84 yrs old now and this hard coughing is hard on my body. I find that dairy causes more phlegm but easier to cough up. Mucus Relief pills also help. I end up in emergency once in awhile when I have what they call a flare up. One in awhile I go on antibiotics and it is such a relief to get the infection relieved but it soon goes back to same old thing. I can’t live on antibiotics. I am now on oxygen and get very winded when I cough or walk. I seem to manage but I know I am not pleasant to be around with this coughing my family has been very understanding but it is hard

Ger,

Hello! Welcome to the site. I hope that we can provide you with some answers, comfort.

What are you doing , where are at 3pm when the coughing starts?

Hello Ger welcome. I hope you feel better soon. Have you tried hypertonic saline in the neb for the mucus? That really helps me. Another thing the Vest airway machine can also help have you talked it over with your dr about this? If anyone is diagnosed with bronchiectasis and CF most insurances will cover this Vest. They have portable ones now that are very nice. These vests you wear that giggles your chest and lungs to help loosen the mucus. Ask your pulmonologist about this. It could help you a lot.

NTM sand bronchiectasis diagnosed by a pulmonologist after 10 months of trying to get a doctor to listen to me and follow up on the symptoms I was progressively having.
the vast majority of information on both of these conditions I found through mt own research

never eas told i had bronchirtasis was told i had mac but every time i have an xray the drs that read the results mention bronirctasis in the report

Pulmonary doc…suggested air clearance machine, I have been using it for three years along with a nebulizer and two meds for the nebulizer.  I now go to the chest clinic at Yale hospital in new haven, ct andi a very satisfied with their expert help. I exercise daily and stay well.

Pulmonary doc…suggested air clearance machine, I have been using it for three years along with a nebulizer and two meds for the nebulizer.  I now go to the chest clinic at Yale hospital in new haven, ct andi a very satisfied with their expert help. I exercise daily and stay well.

Pulmonary doc…suggested air clearance machine, I have been using it for three years along with a nebulizer and two meds for the nebulizer.  I now go to the chest clinic at Yale hospital in new haven, ct andi a very satisfied with their expert help. I exercise daily and stay well.

Pulmonary doc…suggested air clearance machine, I have been using it for three years along with a nebulizer and two meds for the nebulizer.  I now go to the chest clinic at Yale hospital in new haven, ct andi a very satisfied with their expert help. I exercise daily and stay well.

Pulmonary doc…suggested air clearance machine, I have been using it for three years along with a nebulizer and two meds for the nebulizer.  I now go to the chest clinic at Yale hospital in new haven, ct andi a very satisfied with their expert help. I exercise daily and stay well.

Pulmonary doc…suggested air clearance machine, I have been using it for three years along with a nebulizer and two meds for the nebulizer.  I now go to the chest clinic at Yale hospital in new haven, ct andi a very satisfied with their expert help. I exercise daily and stay well.

Pulmonary doc…suggested air clearance machine, I have been using it for three years along with a nebulizer and two meds for the nebulizer.  I now go to the chest clinic at Yale hospital in new haven, ct andi a very satisfied with their expert help. I exercise daily and stay well.

Pulmonary doc…suggested air clearance machine, I have been using it for three years along with a nebulizer and two meds for the nebulizer.  I now go to the chest clinic at Yale hospital in new haven, ct andi a very satisfied with their expert help. I exercise daily and stay well.

Pulmonary doc…suggested air clearance machine, I have been using it for three years along with a nebulizer and two meds for the nebulizer.  I now go to the chest clinic at Yale hospital in new haven, ct andi a very satisfied with their expert help. I exercise daily and stay well.

Pulmonary doc…suggested air clearance machine, I have been using it for three years along with a nebulizer and two meds for the nebulizer.  I now go to the chest clinic at Yale hospital in new haven, ct andi a very satisfied with their expert help. I exercise daily and stay well.

Pulmonary doc…suggested air clearance machine, I have been using it for three years along with a nebulizer and two meds for the nebulizer.  I now go to the chest clinic at Yale hospital in new haven, ct andi a very satisfied with their expert help. I exercise daily and stay well.

Pulmonary doc…suggested air clearance machine, I have been using it for three years along with a nebulizer and two meds for the nebulizer.  I now go to the chest clinic at Yale hospital in new haven, ct andi a very satisfied with their expert help. I exercise daily and stay well.

Pulmonary doc…suggested air clearance machine, I have been using it for three years along with a nebulizer and two meds for the nebulizer.  I now go to the chest clinic at Yale hospital in new haven, ct andi a very satisfied with their expert help. I exercise daily and stay well.

I do the same twice a day on vest if need but always once a day been for a few years now. 

I do the same twice a day on vest if need but always once a day been for a few years now. 

I do the same twice a day on vest if need but always once a day been for a few years now. 

I do the same twice a day on vest if need but always once a day been for a few years now. 

I do the same twice a day on vest if need but always once a day been for a few years now. 

I do the same twice a day on vest if need but always once a day been for a few years now. 

I do the same twice a day on vest if need but always once a day been for a few years now. 

I do the same twice a day on vest if need but always once a day been for a few years now. 

I do the same twice a day on vest if need but always once a day been for a few years now. 

I do the same twice a day on vest if need but always once a day been for a few years now. 

I do the same twice a day on vest if need but always once a day been for a few years now. 

I do the same twice a day on vest if need but always once a day been for a few years now. 

I do the same twice a day on vest if need but always once a day been for a few years now. 

@Myrnie I am happy to hear you are having success with your medical care! What do they do at the chest clinic? I am new to this.

@Myrnie I am happy to hear you are having success with your medical care! What do they do at the chest clinic? I am new to this.

@Myrnie I am happy to hear you are having success with your medical care! What do they do at the chest clinic? I am new to this.

@Myrnie I am happy to hear you are having success with your medical care! What do they do at the chest clinic? I am new to this.

@Myrnie I am happy to hear you are having success with your medical care! What do they do at the chest clinic? I am new to this.

@Myrnie I am happy to hear you are having success with your medical care! What do they do at the chest clinic? I am new to this.

@Myrnie I am happy to hear you are having success with your medical care! What do they do at the chest clinic? I am new to this.

@Myrnie I am happy to hear you are having success with your medical care! What do they do at the chest clinic? I am new to this.

@Myrnie I am happy to hear you are having success with your medical care! What do they do at the chest clinic? I am new to this.

@Myrnie I am happy to hear you are having success with your medical care! What do they do at the chest clinic? I am new to this.

@Myrnie I am happy to hear you are having success with your medical care! What do they do at the chest clinic? I am new to this.

@Myrnie I am happy to hear you are having success with your medical care! What do they do at the chest clinic? I am new to this.

@Myrnie I am happy to hear you are having success with your medical care! What do they do at the chest clinic? I am new to this.

@Kandy that is great. I am waiting on a vest and hoping there is no problem with the insurance. I was really surprised on the cost of the "Smart Vest." (20k with a 2k copay) 

@Kandy that is great. I am waiting on a vest and hoping there is no problem with the insurance. I was really surprised on the cost of the "Smart Vest." (20k with a 2k copay) 

@Kandy that is great. I am waiting on a vest and hoping there is no problem with the insurance. I was really surprised on the cost of the "Smart Vest." (20k with a 2k copay) 

@Kandy that is great. I am waiting on a vest and hoping there is no problem with the insurance. I was really surprised on the cost of the "Smart Vest." (20k with a 2k copay) 

@Kandy that is great. I am waiting on a vest and hoping there is no problem with the insurance. I was really surprised on the cost of the "Smart Vest." (20k with a 2k copay) 

@Kandy that is great. I am waiting on a vest and hoping there is no problem with the insurance. I was really surprised on the cost of the "Smart Vest." (20k with a 2k copay) 

@Kandy that is great. I am waiting on a vest and hoping there is no problem with the insurance. I was really surprised on the cost of the "Smart Vest." (20k with a 2k copay) 

@Kandy that is great. I am waiting on a vest and hoping there is no problem with the insurance. I was really surprised on the cost of the "Smart Vest." (20k with a 2k copay) 

@Kandy that is great. I am waiting on a vest and hoping there is no problem with the insurance. I was really surprised on the cost of the "Smart Vest." (20k with a 2k copay) 

@Kandy that is great. I am waiting on a vest and hoping there is no problem with the insurance. I was really surprised on the cost of the "Smart Vest." (20k with a 2k copay) 

@Kandy that is great. I am waiting on a vest and hoping there is no problem with the insurance. I was really surprised on the cost of the "Smart Vest." (20k with a 2k copay) 

@Kandy that is great. I am waiting on a vest and hoping there is no problem with the insurance. I was really surprised on the cost of the "Smart Vest." (20k with a 2k copay) 

@Kandy that is great. I am waiting on a vest and hoping there is no problem with the insurance. I was really surprised on the cost of the "Smart Vest." (20k with a 2k copay) 

I hope your insurance goes with it.  The Afflovest is portable kind a wish I had that one mine is Hill Rom and stationary.  

I hope your insurance goes with it.  The Afflovest is portable kind a wish I had that one mine is Hill Rom and stationary.  

I hope your insurance goes with it.  The Afflovest is portable kind a wish I had that one mine is Hill Rom and stationary.  

I hope your insurance goes with it.  The Afflovest is portable kind a wish I had that one mine is Hill Rom and stationary.  

I hope your insurance goes with it.  The Afflovest is portable kind a wish I had that one mine is Hill Rom and stationary.  

I hope your insurance goes with it.  The Afflovest is portable kind a wish I had that one mine is Hill Rom and stationary.  

I hope your insurance goes with it.  The Afflovest is portable kind a wish I had that one mine is Hill Rom and stationary.  

I hope your insurance goes with it.  The Afflovest is portable kind a wish I had that one mine is Hill Rom and stationary.  

I hope your insurance goes with it.  The Afflovest is portable kind a wish I had that one mine is Hill Rom and stationary.  

I hope your insurance goes with it.  The Afflovest is portable kind a wish I had that one mine is Hill Rom and stationary.  

I hope your insurance goes with it.  The Afflovest is portable kind a wish I had that one mine is Hill Rom and stationary.  

I hope your insurance goes with it.  The Afflovest is portable kind a wish I had that one mine is Hill Rom and stationary.  

I hope your insurance goes with it.  The Afflovest is portable kind a wish I had that one mine is Hill Rom and stationary.  

@Kandy I did not realize they had the portable kind as my doctor brought up Smartvest. It is not portable. 

@Kandy I did not realize they had the portable kind as my doctor brought up Smartvest. It is not portable. 

@Kandy I did not realize they had the portable kind as my doctor brought up Smartvest. It is not portable. 

@Kandy I did not realize they had the portable kind as my doctor brought up Smartvest. It is not portable. 

@Kandy I did not realize they had the portable kind as my doctor brought up Smartvest. It is not portable. 

@Kandy I did not realize they had the portable kind as my doctor brought up Smartvest. It is not portable. 

@Kandy I did not realize they had the portable kind as my doctor brought up Smartvest. It is not portable. 

@Kandy I did not realize they had the portable kind as my doctor brought up Smartvest. It is not portable. 

@Kandy I did not realize they had the portable kind as my doctor brought up Smartvest. It is not portable. 

@Kandy I did not realize they had the portable kind as my doctor brought up Smartvest. It is not portable. 

@Kandy I did not realize they had the portable kind as my doctor brought up Smartvest. It is not portable. 

@Kandy I did not realize they had the portable kind as my doctor brought up Smartvest. It is not portable. 

@Kandy I did not realize they had the portable kind as my doctor brought up Smartvest. It is not portable.