Hello! It varies from patient to patient. First line is with the less invasive treatments of antibiotics, pulmonary rehabilitation, nutrition, etc.

This type of surgery must be done at a center with experience. Patients must ask about the number of similar cases performed at their facility. Otherwise, it can result in many complications....

U of CO is well known for these procedures. Dr. Mitchell is a top surgeon there

Born in 1946. I was diagnosed with chronic bronchitis at age 4 after a few events of bronchitis and two of pneumonia - the first at three months. At six I was diagnosed with Bronchiectasis and my parents were told I would not make it through my teens without surgery. (The current drugs and other meds didn't exist.) I had the two lower lobes of my right lung removed at age 7, the lower lobe of my left lung removed at age 12.

In my 20's through 50's I was active and ale to play modestly competitive softball and competitive volleyball. Into my 40's I could play a bit of basketball. I mention this to illustrate that I was able to do most everything, though I never had a lot of stamina for running. I did have bronchitis several times and pneumonia twice. I did have to be careful about my health.

I never expected to live int my 50's. It was around then that I had to more actively manage myself. I have a few exacerbations each year now and have to take antibiotics plus prednisone to get over it. I also use a few other meds.

I am 72 now and finally running out of air. I am still able to do many things but have more problems more often.

I'm starting to think I may be close to the record for longest life after a very early diagnosis of Bronchiectasis. In fact, I'm going to post that as a question.

Gary,

Hello! Welcome back to the group.

You must have been doing something right to beat all odds and do as well as you did through out the years. I am sure that your exercise/ fitness activities contributed to you faring well for many years.

I don’t know about records for living the longest with Bronchiectasis; let’s see how other members respond. I do know that preventative measures make a huge difference in the quality of life for patients. Are you being followed by a pulmonologist at a respiratory specialty center

Ksmiles123 - I have lived almost all my life in rural areas, but have seen pulmonary specialists that have apparently done a good job.

My surgeries were in Syracuse NY. I've seen about four other specialists over the years. My current doctor is based in Wichita, Kansas. As far as I know I have never had tests for the type of bacteria that are most commonly associated with Bronchiectasis. I have had the full set of pulmonary function tests, x-rays, CT scans, and blood test many times over the years.

My biggest challenge now is getting enough exercise. I can't take cold weather at all and I have a bone-on-bone knee that makes walking harder. (I don't want to do the recommended knee replacement because it seems a poor investment of healthcare dollars.)

In the next few weeks I hope to find a decent indoor exercise machine of some type.

Life is good!

Gary,

You have a great, inspirational attitude. Have you considered a rower- for upper body, lighter on the knees?

Kati

Thanks, Ksmiles123. I am thinking about that as a way to use both upper body and some leg and knee work. I'll keep you posted.

Gary,

You are most welcome!

Have you ever considered yoga poses for respiratory/ breathing purposes? There are specific yoga poses for the respiratory tract.

Keep us posted.:

Hi Gary, yes there are many benefits for patients with lung conditions in practicing yoga. Focus on the breathing aspect but also poses that expand the chest, like cobra, bridge, upward facing dog, and also the poses that stretch the intercostal muscles like side to side stretches. It is important to create space in the body. I know there are some other poses that would be beneficial and will add with some more thought!

Thanks, Gretchen. I irregularly do some stretches that are "yoga-like" positions (limited because I don't have the flexibility I did when I first did that a bunch of decades ago.)

I'm also not great at keeping up a specific practice over the last ten years, though I did a set of stretches and exercises for about 30 years. I think I've "skipped" by routine for about two weeks now. (Bad boy!)

I appreciate your advice and I will see what I can manage.

And thanks to Ksmiles123 for similar advice. Same answer...yes, I've considered, I done a simple set of stretches about 60% of my mornings for abut 40 years and less regularly for 10 years before that.

Gary,

It is ok to be a “ bad boy”@ times. I don’t think that many patients with chronic disorders can be 100% compliant all the time .

We are on the right path as long as we try out best to get some exercise as frequently as we possibly can.

One day at a time.: