Discussions
Discussions
The link below provides an infographic on Shingles and the Shingles vaccination: ShinglesFlyer 2.pdf
The link below reviews the chances/ risks of people who are at higher risk of having a negative reaction to the vaccinations: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/acip-recs/general-recs/contraindications.html
ACIP Contraindications Guidelines for Immunization | CDC
Contraindications and Precautions: General Best Practice Guidelines for Immunization. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
Help uncover the challenges of Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis (NCFBE).
The BURDEN initiative by Insmed Incorporated is seeking adults with NCFBE and caregivers for interviews. Your participation in the BURDEN initiative interviews is crucial for raising awareness about the real-life impact of Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis (NCFBE). By sharing your experiences, you help improve understanding, care, and resources for adults living with bronchiectasis (without cystic fibrosis), also known as NCFBE, and their caregivers.
1 year ago
Combination Medications- Some inhalers and nebulizer treatments are available as combination therapy- one inhaler or nebulizer treatment contains more than one type of medication. Short-Acting Anticholinergics plus Short-Acting Bronchodilators: These medications combine the actions of the two different types of bronchodilators into one inhaler or nebulizer solution. A few common short-acting anticholinergics and short-acting bronchodilators include:
- Duo-Neb® (Ipratropium Bromide/Albuterol)- nebulizer
- Combivent Respimat® (Ipratropium Bromide/Albuterol)- inhaler
- Combination Long-Acting Bronchodilators and Long-acting Anticholinergics: These inhalers contain both a long-acting bronchodilator and a long-acting anticholinergic. These medications work by relaxing the muscles in your lungs, helping to relieve shortness of breath and prevent exacerbations. These medications usually last 12 to 24 hours and can be used once or twice daily. A few common combination long-acting bronchodilators and long-acting anticholinergics include:
- Anoro Ellipta® (Umeclidinium / Vilanterol)- inhaler
- Stiolto Respimat® (Tiotropium / Olodaterol)- inhaler
Combination Long-acting Bronchodilators and Inhaled Corticosteroids: These combination inhalers can be helpful for people who have frequent exacerbations. These medications last 12 to 24 hours and are taken once or twice a day. A few common combination long-acting bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids include:
- Advair® (Fluticasone / Salmeterol)- inhaler
- Breo Ellipta® (Fluticasone Furoate / Vilanterol)- inhaler
- Symbicort® (Budesonide / Formoterol)- inhaler
Combination Corticosteroid, Long-Acting Anticholinergic Bronchodilators, plus Long-Acting Bronchodilators (“Triple Therapy”): These medications relax the muscles around your bronchial tubes and decrease the inflammation in your lungs, reducing your respiratory symptoms and helping to prevent exacerbations. A few common triple therapy inhalers include:
- Trelegy Ellipta® (Fluticasone /Umeclidinium/ Vilanterol)- inhaler
- Breztri Aerosphere® (Budesonide/Glycopyrrolate/ Formoterol Fumarate)- inhaler
Long-acting Anticholinergics: these meds work by reducing the bronchoconstriction in your lungs, helping you to breathe easier and feel less short of breath. Long acting anticholinergics do not work quickly. These medications may help prevent exacerbations in some people. They last for 12-24 hours and are usually taken once or twice a day by inhaler or nebulizer. A few common drugs in this category include:
- Incruse Ellipta® (Umeclidinium)- inhaler
- Spiriva Handihaler® (Tiotropium Bromide)- inhaler
Short-acting Anticholinergics: These meds work by reducing the bronchoconstriction in your lungs, helping you to breathe easier and feel less short of breath. They work quickly to help relieve your resymptoms. They last for 4-6 hours and are usually taken once or twice a day by inhaler or nebulizer.
A common short-acting anticholinergic is:
- Atrovent® (Ipratropium Bromide)- inhaler and nebulizer
Systemic Corticosteroids: These medications reduce inflammation in your lungs. They are often used for a few days during an exacerbation. Your health care provider will determine the dosage and duration of your systemic corticosteroid treatment . Be sure to carefully follow your health care provider's directions for the use of these medications.
A few common systemic corticosteroids include:
- Prednisone
- Medrol Dose Pack® (Methylprednisolone)
Inhaled Corticosteroids: These medications reduce the inflammation in your lungs via an inhaler or nebulizer . These meds do not work instantly and can take a few weeks of continuous use before you experience results.
A few common inhaled corticosteroids include:
- Arunity Ellipta® (Fluticasone Furoate)
- Flovent® (Fluticasone Furoate)- inhaler
Long-acting Bronchodilators: these medications are inhaled into the lungs through inhalers and nebulizers and relax the muscles in your lungs. Long-acting bronchodilators do not work quickly. They are often used once or twice a day every day to help reduce the frequency and severity of your respiratory symptoms.
A fe common long-acting bronchodilators include:
- Perforomist® (Formoterol Fumarate)- nebulizer
- Serevent® (Salmeterol)- inhaler
- Striverdi Respimat® (Olodaterol)- inhaler
Short-acting Bronchodilators: These meds work quickly to relax the muscles around your bronchial tubes, helping to relieve shortness of breath. These meds are inhaled into the lungs from an inhaler or nebulizer. You often begin to feel relief within a few minutes of using your inhaler or nebulizer.
Common short-acting bronchodilators include:
- Albuterol- inhaler and nebulizer
- ProAir® (Albuterol) inhaler
- Proventil® (Albuterol) inhaler
- Ventolin® (Albuterol) inhaler
- Xopenex® (Levalbuterol) inhaler and nebulizer

Hi, has anyone else on here had silicone implant ruptures causing lung damage? If so how and what has helped ? TIA
Inhalers, or “puffers,” deliver reliable and consistent doses of inhaled medicines.There are three types of inhalers: metered-dose, dry powder, and soft mist. A metered-dose inhaler (MDI) is a small, pressurized canister that fits inside a plastic, boot-shaped holder with an attached mouthpiece. A dry powder inhaler (DPI) contains only powdered medicine. There is no pressurized canister. Soft mist inhalers (SMI) use a spring to release a slow-moving mist when inhaled. Inhalers are portable-- they can fit in your pocket. They are also convenient—it only takes a couple of minutes to deliver a dose. .
Inhaled Medicines | Bronchiectasis and NTM 360 (bronchiectasisandntminitiative.org)
The link below provides information on exacerbations and the red flags associated with exacerbations:https://www.bronchiectasisandntminitiative.org/Learn-More/I-am-a-Patient-or-Caregiver/Exacerbations
Hi,
Has anyone with bronchiectasis had exascerbations or lung symptoms from coloring your hair?
Thank you
The link below reviews the different types of inhalers and the basics on nebulizers. https://www.bronchiectasisandntminitiative.org/Learn-More/I-am-a-Patient-or-Caregiver/Inhaled-Medicines
Below is the link to the medication management wallet card. This may be helpful for you keep in your wallet in case you need it and to show the staff when you visit different specialists. You will not have to write the same lists over and over again. https://www.bronchiectasisandntminitiative.org/Por...
Below is the link to the wallet card. This may be helpful for you keep in your w to show when you visit different specialists: https://www.bronchiectasisandntminitiative.org/Portals/0/DownloadsLibrary/Files/WalletalletCard_Bronch_NTM_Web.pdf
The article below describes the difference in the two numbers: https://www.foxweather.com/learn/dew-point-best-way-classify-how-much-humidity-in-air
I was wondering, with environmental exposure to NTMs, aspergillus, etc., has anyone heard anything from doctors or other experts on whether hiking or camping are ok to do? Trying to get an idea if these activities are ok or not, if they should be avoided, or if they are ok if a mask is worn. My family enjoys these activities, & when I feel ok I am wondering if it is ok for me to participate. Thank you!
This Independence Day, I want to honor our amazing team of IMPACT 2024 lung health advocates that I worked with in Washington, D.C., where we asked our lawmakers to take action to support lung health! On March 5, individuals with chronic lung disease, along with their families, caregivers, healthcare providers, and other champions joined the COPD Foundation for the IMPACT Lung Health 2024 campaign. This effort encouraged the United States Congress to support policies to make life better for those affected by COPD, bronchiectasis, and nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease.
This year, we returned to Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began for in-person meetings with our lawmakers. At IMPACT 2024, advocates asked lawmakers to:
- Co-sponsor H.R. 1406 or S. 3021 to Extend and Make Permanent Medicare Coverage for Virtual Pulmonary Rehabilitation.
- Co-sponsor S. 3821, the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform (SOAR) Act, or forthcoming House companion, to Ensure Medicare Patients have Access to Essential Oxygen Therapy.
- Increase FY25 National Institutes of Health Funding and Prioritize COPD, Bronchiectasis, and NTM Research through NHLBI Appropriations Report Language.
IMPACT 2024 was the most fun I've had at the COPD Foundation and the best advocacy work of my life! Being part of this event allowed me to meet our awesome advocates face-to-face for the first time, which was amazing after so many virtual meetings.
I'm very proud of our IMPACT 2024 advocacy team! Advocates traveled from across the United States to join us in Washington, D.C. They dedicated their time and energy to support our priorities for lung health. Our advocates were not only dedicated to the cause, but were also friendly and helpful, stepping up when needed to make sure our event went smoothly.
Advocating alongside lung health patients was an amazing experience. IMPACT 2024 involved long days of training, traveling, and running from meeting to meeting. Our fantastic patient advocates worked tirelessly. They learned about our goals, shared their stories, attended every meeting, and even navigated the Capitol's underground tunnels. I was so impressed and inspired by their passion for making sure lawmakers understood our priorities and heard their stories. Patient voices are crucial in our advocacy strategy, and I am so lucky to be able to advocate alongside such a dedicated group!
Since IMPACT 2024, we've made progress on all our priorities. A House version of the SOAR Act has been introduced as H.R. 7829. The virtual pulmonary rehab bill passed the Subcommittee on Health and moved onward to its next committee stop. Sponsors and co-sponsors have been gained for H.R. 1406/S. 3021 and H.R. 7829/S. 3821. Close to 80 requests for our FY25 Appropriations priority have been submitted to legislative offices. Thanks to our advocacy efforts, over 600 calls to action have been made to lawmakers.
If you were part of IMPACT 2024, I'd love to hear about your experience on Capitol Hill and the work that you did! If you couldn't make it to Washington but still want to support us, you can urge your legislators to support our goals by visiting our Advocacy Action Center.
My pulmonologist asked me which one I wanted, like I have a clue. Doing research & could use some feedback from anyone willing to chime in. I’m 64”106# & would like to be mobile with it.
The blog article blow reviews how weather changes, especially increasing humidity and dew point can impact respiratory patients:
https://social.bronchandntm.org/articles/blog/Why-Weather-can-Worsen-your-Lung-Condition
Do you know there is a World Bronchiectasis Conference? This year the conference takes place in Dundee, Scotland! Association and Patient Village have made it possible for you to attend for FREE. Visit https://bronchiectasis-patient.org/ to get all the information at your finger tips!
4-6 July 2024
In collaboration with European Lung Foundation, #WBConf24 hosts the Association&Patient Village
Join virtually at Association&Patient Village
1 year ago
The link below provides information on dealing with heat waves. Please read the paragraph about nighttime temperatures. https://weather.com/safety/heat/news/2024-06-18-heat-wave-what-to-know-safety
World Bronchiectasis Day is celebrated on July 1st every year to raise awareness about this lung condition. This year, the focus is on research and how it impacts the bronchiectasis community. Take a look at the details below and join us on July 1st to learn more about this condition that affects our community!

It is not our intention to serve as a substitute for medical advice and any content posted should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. We make every effort to support our members, our medical professionals cannot and will not provide a diagnosis or suggest a specific medication; those decisions should be left to your personal medical team. While we encourage individuals to share their personal experiences with COPD, please consult a physician before making changes to your own COPD management plan.
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