Re: Bronchiectasis with Little or No Productive Cough?

[Guest guest]

HI

my doc told me that there's such a thing as "dry" bronchiectasis

ttys, betty

From what I've been reading about bronchiectasis, a productive coughis a pretty universal symptom. I was diagnosed a few months ago, aftera period when I had a lingering cough following pneumonia last July.However, by the time I was diagnosed (based on x-rays and CT scans), Iwas coughing very little. I could barely produce enough sputum to testin three separate tries at the pulmonologist's office. He's absolutelysure that I have bronchiectasis, but most of the descriptions of thedisease that I've read don't seem to apply to me.My question is this: If I have bronchiectasis but no productive coughto speak of (not much of any cough most of the time lately), does thatmean I have a bunch of gunk in my lungs that I need to loosen up sothat I *can* cough up some sputum? Or does it mean I'm really okay--atleast for now?In prepping for the sputum test, the doctor had me taking Mucinex(guaifenesin only). Eventually (a week or two *after* the test--andafter I'd stopped taking Mucinex--I did seem to be coughing up alittle more sputum, but now it's back to the way things were. Thedoctor said that after the test, I might as well stop the Mucinex, butnow I'm wondering whether I ought to be taking that or doing somethingelse to loosen up whatever mucus is in my lungs.I have a lot of other health problems (as I've noted in a previousmessage), and I don't want to make a big deal out of nothing. Maybe Ijust have a super mild form of bronchiectasis and should, as mybrother likes to tease, "shut up and be grateful." But I really wouldappreciate feedback about this.Thanks in advance.--

[Guest guest]

HI

my doc told me that there's such a thing as "dry" bronchiectasis

ttys, betty

From what I've been reading about bronchiectasis, a productive coughis a pretty universal symptom. I was diagnosed a few months ago, aftera period when I had a lingering cough following pneumonia last July.However, by the time I was diagnosed (based on x-rays and CT scans), Iwas coughing very little. I could barely produce enough sputum to testin three separate tries at the pulmonologist's office. He's absolutelysure that I have bronchiectasis, but most of the descriptions of thedisease that I've read don't seem to apply to me.My question is this: If I have bronchiectasis but no productive coughto speak of (not much of any cough most of the time lately), does thatmean I have a bunch of gunk in my lungs that I need to loosen up sothat I *can* cough up some sputum? Or does it mean I'm really okay--atleast for now?In prepping for the sputum test, the doctor had me taking Mucinex(guaifenesin only). Eventually (a week or two *after* the test--andafter I'd stopped taking Mucinex--I did seem to be coughing up alittle more sputum, but now it's back to the way things were. Thedoctor said that after the test, I might as well stop the Mucinex, butnow I'm wondering whether I ought to be taking that or doing somethingelse to loosen up whatever mucus is in my lungs.I have a lot of other health problems (as I've noted in a previousmessage), and I don't want to make a big deal out of nothing. Maybe Ijust have a super mild form of bronchiectasis and should, as mybrother likes to tease, "shut up and be grateful." But I really wouldappreciate feedback about this.Thanks in advance.--

[Guest guest]

HI

my doc told me that there's such a thing as "dry" bronchiectasis

ttys, betty

From what I've been reading about bronchiectasis, a productive coughis a pretty universal symptom. I was diagnosed a few months ago, aftera period when I had a lingering cough following pneumonia last July.However, by the time I was diagnosed (based on x-rays and CT scans), Iwas coughing very little. I could barely produce enough sputum to testin three separate tries at the pulmonologist's office. He's absolutelysure that I have bronchiectasis, but most of the descriptions of thedisease that I've read don't seem to apply to me.My question is this: If I have bronchiectasis but no productive coughto speak of (not much of any cough most of the time lately), does thatmean I have a bunch of gunk in my lungs that I need to loosen up sothat I *can* cough up some sputum? Or does it mean I'm really okay--atleast for now?In prepping for the sputum test, the doctor had me taking Mucinex(guaifenesin only). Eventually (a week or two *after* the test--andafter I'd stopped taking Mucinex--I did seem to be coughing up alittle more sputum, but now it's back to the way things were. Thedoctor said that after the test, I might as well stop the Mucinex, butnow I'm wondering whether I ought to be taking that or doing somethingelse to loosen up whatever mucus is in my lungs.I have a lot of other health problems (as I've noted in a previousmessage), and I don't want to make a big deal out of nothing. Maybe Ijust have a super mild form of bronchiectasis and should, as mybrother likes to tease, "shut up and be grateful." But I really wouldappreciate feedback about this.Thanks in advance.--

[Guest guest]

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hi there laura

i too do not produce much sputum, but i definitely have bronch. i just try and live each day as it comes. i am single mum, working full time and if i feel i can't do something, i don't! just keep reading the posts, they are very helpful. most of the time i am ok, but always very wheezy and breathless.

you are not making a big deal out of nothing. bronch is very real

take care,

kerri

From: bronchiectasis [mailto:bronchiectasis ] On Behalf Of Remson Sent: Wednesday, 6 February 2008 12:56 PMTo: bronchiectasis Subject: RE: Bronchiectasis with Little or No Productive Cough?

From what I've been reading about bronchiectasis, a productive coughis a pretty universal symptom. I was diagnosed a few months ago, aftera period when I had a lingering cough following pneumonia last July.However, by the time I was diagnosed (based on x-rays and CT scans), Iwas coughing very little. I could barely produce enough sputum to testin three separate tries at the pulmonologist's office. He's absolutelysure that I have bronchiectasis, but most of the descriptions of thedisease that I've read don't seem to apply to me.My question is this: If I have bronchiectasis but no productive coughto speak of (not much of any cough most of the time lately), does thatmean I have a bunch of gunk in my lungs that I need to loosen up sothat I *can* cough up some sputum? Or does it mean I'm really okay--atleast for now?In prepping for the sputum test, the doctor had me taking Mucinex(guaifenesin only). Eventually (a week or two *after* the test--andafter I'd stopped taking Mucinex--I did seem to be coughing up alittle more sputum, but now it's back to the way things were. Thedoctor said that after the test, I might as well stop the Mucinex, butnow I'm wondering whether I ought to be taking that or doing somethingelse to loosen up whatever mucus is in my lungs.I have a lot of other health problems (as I've noted in a previousmessage), and I don't want to make a big deal out of nothing. Maybe Ijust have a super mild form of bronchiectasis and should, as mybrother likes to tease, "shut up and be grateful." But I really wouldappreciate feedback about this.Thanks in advance.--

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[Guest guest]

My question is this: If I have bronchiectasis but no productive coughto speak of (not much of any cough most of the time lately), does thatmean I have a bunch of gunk in my lungs that I need to loosen up sothat I *can* cough up some sputum? Or does it mean I'm really okay--atleast for now?

I'm going to answer your question with a question. Does your chest feel heavy? Does your chest feel like there's something in it and you can't get it up and out? Do you have frequent flareups or infections?

If you answered yes to these questions, then I'd say yes, you need to loosen up those excretions which are probably plugged and need to come out. That's where the infection breeds.

If you say no..then I'd say you're one of the lucky ones.

Sandie

Never Look Down on SomeoneUnless You're Willing to Help Them UpWho's never won? Biggest Grammy Award surprises of all time on AOL Music.

[Guest guest]

Hi , if you can get any mucus up by laying in an inverted, head down position while someone pounds on your chest, sides and back and you try periodically to cough, then it probably is a good idea to get up what little is in there each day. Cover the area being pounded with a folded hand or other towel to blunt the force of the slaps. Have them do it as if they were playing a drum, rapidly and with as much force as you can stand without pain. When I do it I can hear crackles in my breathing for a while till the mucus is up and out. I have to flip over and do the coughing (into a small bowl) on my hands and knees with my head hanging down every few minutes to get it to come up well (on a bed).

Others with more knowledge may have good advice for you.

Good luck, Kay

-------------- Original message --------------

From what I've been reading about bronchiectasis, a productive coughis a pretty universal symptom. I was diagnosed a few months ago, aftera period when I had a lingering cough following pneumonia last July.However, by the time I was diagnosed (based on x-rays and CT scans), Iwas coughing very little. I could barely produce enough sputum to testin three separate tries at the pulmonologist's office. He's absolutelysure that I have bronchiectasis, but most of the descriptions of thedisease that I've read don't seem to apply to me.My question is this: If I have bronchiectasis but no productive coughto speak of (not much of any cough most of the time lately), does thatmean I have a bunch of gunk in my lungs that I need to loosen up sothat I *can* cough up some sputum? Or does it mean I'm really okay--atleast for now?In prepping for the sputum test, the doctor had me taking Mucinex(guaifenesin only). Eventually (a we

ek or two *after* the test--andafter I'd stopped taking Mucinex--I did seem to be coughing up alittle more sputum, but now it's back to the way things were. Thedoctor said that after the test, I might as well stop the Mucinex, butnow I'm wondering whether I ought to be taking that or doing somethingelse to loosen up whatever mucus is in my lungs.I have a lot of other health problems (as I've noted in a previousmessage), and I don't want to make a big deal out of nothing. Maybe Ijust have a super mild form of bronchiectasis and should, as mybrother likes to tease, "shut up and be grateful." But I really wouldappreciate feedback about this.Thanks in advance.--

[Guest guest]

Hi , if you can get any mucus up by laying in an inverted, head down position while someone pounds on your chest, sides and back and you try periodically to cough, then it probably is a good idea to get up what little is in there each day. Cover the area being pounded with a folded hand or other towel to blunt the force of the slaps. Have them do it as if they were playing a drum, rapidly and with as much force as you can stand without pain. When I do it I can hear crackles in my breathing for a while till the mucus is up and out. I have to flip over and do the coughing (into a small bowl) on my hands and knees with my head hanging down every few minutes to get it to come up well (on a bed).

Others with more knowledge may have good advice for you.

Good luck, Kay

-------------- Original message --------------

From what I've been reading about bronchiectasis, a productive coughis a pretty universal symptom. I was diagnosed a few months ago, aftera period when I had a lingering cough following pneumonia last July.However, by the time I was diagnosed (based on x-rays and CT scans), Iwas coughing very little. I could barely produce enough sputum to testin three separate tries at the pulmonologist's office. He's absolutelysure that I have bronchiectasis, but most of the descriptions of thedisease that I've read don't seem to apply to me.My question is this: If I have bronchiectasis but no productive coughto speak of (not much of any cough most of the time lately), does thatmean I have a bunch of gunk in my lungs that I need to loosen up sothat I *can* cough up some sputum? Or does it mean I'm really okay--atleast for now?In prepping for the sputum test, the doctor had me taking Mucinex(guaifenesin only). Eventually (a we

ek or two *after* the test--andafter I'd stopped taking Mucinex--I did seem to be coughing up alittle more sputum, but now it's back to the way things were. Thedoctor said that after the test, I might as well stop the Mucinex, butnow I'm wondering whether I ought to be taking that or doing somethingelse to loosen up whatever mucus is in my lungs.I have a lot of other health problems (as I've noted in a previousmessage), and I don't want to make a big deal out of nothing. Maybe Ijust have a super mild form of bronchiectasis and should, as mybrother likes to tease, "shut up and be grateful." But I really wouldappreciate feedback about this.Thanks in advance.--

[Guest guest]

Hi , if you can get any mucus up by laying in an inverted, head down position while someone pounds on your chest, sides and back and you try periodically to cough, then it probably is a good idea to get up what little is in there each day. Cover the area being pounded with a folded hand or other towel to blunt the force of the slaps. Have them do it as if they were playing a drum, rapidly and with as much force as you can stand without pain. When I do it I can hear crackles in my breathing for a while till the mucus is up and out. I have to flip over and do the coughing (into a small bowl) on my hands and knees with my head hanging down every few minutes to get it to come up well (on a bed).

Others with more knowledge may have good advice for you.

Good luck, Kay

-------------- Original message --------------

From what I've been reading about bronchiectasis, a productive coughis a pretty universal symptom. I was diagnosed a few months ago, aftera period when I had a lingering cough following pneumonia last July.However, by the time I was diagnosed (based on x-rays and CT scans), Iwas coughing very little. I could barely produce enough sputum to testin three separate tries at the pulmonologist's office. He's absolutelysure that I have bronchiectasis, but most of the descriptions of thedisease that I've read don't seem to apply to me.My question is this: If I have bronchiectasis but no productive coughto speak of (not much of any cough most of the time lately), does thatmean I have a bunch of gunk in my lungs that I need to loosen up sothat I *can* cough up some sputum? Or does it mean I'm really okay--atleast for now?In prepping for the sputum test, the doctor had me taking Mucinex(guaifenesin only). Eventually (a we

ek or two *after* the test--andafter I'd stopped taking Mucinex--I did seem to be coughing up alittle more sputum, but now it's back to the way things were. Thedoctor said that after the test, I might as well stop the Mucinex, butnow I'm wondering whether I ought to be taking that or doing somethingelse to loosen up whatever mucus is in my lungs.I have a lot of other health problems (as I've noted in a previousmessage), and I don't want to make a big deal out of nothing. Maybe Ijust have a super mild form of bronchiectasis and should, as mybrother likes to tease, "shut up and be grateful." But I really wouldappreciate feedback about this.Thanks in advance.--