Re: bronch management

[Guest guest]

Hi, Joy, I realize how fortunate I am, because the only medicine I take is bactrim 2x a week. (I do take blood pressure pills, also, but that's the extent of it). Since I stopped my Advair a week ago, my pains have subsided and my lungs aren't as wheezy. BTW I do take mucinex once a day. I've been taking bactrim over 6 yrs now and haven't had an infection in all that time. However, I do take supplements and maybe that's what's keeping me well. I feel we know personally what our bodies need. Even my pulmo said he's learning from me when I tell him what I'm doing for my health. I forgot to mention I go to the gym every day but I'm not aggressive there because of my age. But I also feel that exercise is very beneficial for our disease. This group has helped me a lot.

To: bronchiectasis From: endiandra@...Date: Fri, 22 Jul 2011 11:36:10 +1000Subject: Re: bronch management

hi ,

I could be wrong - but my experience seems to indicate that there is a tendency in Australia to only use 'serious' meds when have exacerbation, not for ongoing long-term use. Sev reasons - cost; resistance to medication; side-effects (such as you mentioned); & , no matter now strong or amt of meds, not all of infected lung is reached due to plugging by the mucus in there, the lungs don't get as much of the abx as the rest of the body cos of the way lungs are structured (my drs explained this & makes sense to me).

If you think about it the less meds we have to take the better - for our overall health and immune system & our lung health managed by non-chemical methods such as nebs, the various puffer devices or vest.

btw - I was diagnosed 40+ years ago, so my bronch is quite advanced now - have lots cysts, bi-lateral basal lungs fibrotic. I never don't have infx & cough up - lots. It's more a matter of keeping the level of infx low enough doesn't knock me around & affect quality of life too much. Saline nebs help, but the real lifesaver is the SmartVest - I really don't think I could survive without now and wish I'd had something like this at least 5 if not 10 years ago!

joy h (Oz)

[Guest guest]

-

hear hear for the exercise - gym every day!! fantastic and well done

you! I go to Tai Chi classes twice/week, and try (!) to do more at

home, sometimes do, sometimes not! But yep, without it I know I feel

a difference, and being able to get out and walk again is great - our

weather is great at the moment, average 70F (our 'winter'), clear and

sunny.

cheers,

joy h

[Guest guest]

Joy, the exercises I do are very mild. I do some arm pulls that I feel involves my chest and some leg exercises. Nothing strenous. When I was younger I did a lot more. I heard a lot of good things about Tai Chi. I'm going to look into it.

To: bronchiectasis From: endiandra@...Date: Sun, 24 Jul 2011 11:17:08 +1000Subject: Re: bronch management

-hear hear for the exercise - gym every day!! fantastic and well done you! I go to Tai Chi classes twice/week, and try (!) to do more at home, sometimes do, sometimes not! But yep, without it I know I feel a difference, and being able to get out and walk again is great - our weather is great at the moment, average 70F (our 'winter'), clear and sunny.cheers,joy h

[Guest guest]

hi ,

I think ANY exercise has to be good, especially with our frequent

bouts of unwellness. I've notice age-related things starting to

occur more, because lower immune levels etc ... so I feel really

have to do everything poss.

Considering this time last year I had a wheelie-walker, scared I was

going to end in a wheel-chair - and now I can kick my carer's

backside, or higher! (Well, you know we all need one now and then!)

cheers

joy