Ksmiles123

Ksmiles123commented onLiving with Bronchiectasis

 Vishnu,I am sorry to read your update. Is there another pulmonologist in your area? You can get the medical records from the 1st doctor to share w another doctor, who will be a better fit? They do not recommend steam treatment for Ntm patients, Neti...

23 hours ago

vishnu

vishnucommented onLiving with Bronchiectasis

 I have issue with thick brown mucus during early mornings. If i do not get rid of it, it creates chest congestion, inflammation, lack of focus and clarity, feeling tired and sleepy etc.. I visited doctor here, they charged me 670$ (including lab...

1 day ago

Ksmiles123

Ksmiles123

Hello! The article below differentiates anxiety from depression: https://www.dictionary.com/e/depression-vs-anxiety/

2 days ago

Ksmiles123

Ksmiles123

Hello! How are you doing today? Have you noticed the days are getting longer? It didnโ€™t darken until 535pm yesterday! Yahooo!!! Mardi Gra is coming up soon, spring is around the corner! We will be able to get outdoors more frequently.

3 days ago

Ksmiles123

Ksmiles123

Hello! Have you been able to sign up for the corona vaccination?  A local hospital will be offering the vaccination soon; I am awaiting to hear back from them to schedule an appointment.

3 days ago

Ksmiles123

Ksmiles123Amazing technology:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wellinks-announces-initiation-of-irb-approved-study-of-digital-health-solution-for-copd-301207870.html

Wellinks Announces Initiation of IRB Approved Study of Digital Health Solution for COPD

/PRNewswire/ -- Wellinks, a leader in innovative respiratory technologies today announced the initiation of an IRB approved research pilot study for patients...

5 days ago

Tamantha

Tamantha

I finally got my vest! It is not a rental as I was previously told. My co-insurance portion will be spread out ver 13 months, then the vest is mine to keep.
How long does it typically take before I can cough anything up? I have been using it for almost a week,  along with the last month and a half of 7% saline twice a day,  Aerobeka, and Pulmoxyme. Still no coughing. I am starting to wonder if there is anything in there! 

5 days ago

  • NewestOldest
  • GretchenSo exciting! I have heard that can be a process! I would love to hear the differences you experience and I hope another participant who has a vest shares their experience with you about expectations. 5 days ago
  • Ksmiles123Tamantha,
    Hello! I am glad that you got the best& it is yours to keep. I used the vest daily for a year in the past.     You may not see immediate effects; however, it is the movement of the mucus within our chest that is important. Stagnant movement is the breeding ground for bacteria, germs. Have you tried mucinex? I took it every morning, before I did my vest.  Other options are nebulizer of .3Normal saline, albuterol or other meds which loosen , expectorate sputum.  You are in the right path.  Good luck! Getting the vest is one task that is now accomplished. Katie5 days ago
  • ChristinaHThat's great news! I think everyone's experiences are a bit different when it comes to how fast/effective each therapy can be. Remember to hydrate well. That extra bit of fluids can make a difference with keeping mucus thin and more easily coughed out. 5 days ago
Gretchen

GretchenWe know that nebulizers are the cornerstone of treatment for chronic lung conditions such as COPD, bronchiectasis, NTM, and asthma. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about new questions and concerns about using nebulizers in health care clinics or hospitals and for some, even at home. The COPD Foundation has partnered with academic experts, industry partners, and other stakeholder groups to create the COPD Foundation Nebulizer Consortium (CNC) to develop research and education practices related to safe nebulizer use. Join us this Wednesday, January 27, 2021 at 7:00 pm EST to learn more about the CNC and how it can benefit those living with chronic lung conditions as well as the health care providers caring for them. We want to hear from you and so have built in time for a live question and answer session. Mark your calendars and join us here: https://www.facebook.com/events/467196484293313?acontext=%7B%22action_history%22%3A[%7B%22surface%22%3A%22page%22%2C%22mechanism%22%3A%22page_admin_bar%22%2C%22extra_data%22%3A%22%7B%5C%22page_id%5C%22%3A284166539134%7D%22%7D%2C%7B%22surface%22%3A%22events_admin_tool%22%2C%22mechanism%22%3A%22events_admin_tool%22%2C%22extra_data%22%3A%22[]%22%7D]%2C%22has_source%22%3Atrue%7D 

Nebulizers, COVID-19, and You

Nebulized medications are the cornerstone of treatment for individuals with chronic lung conditions such as COPD, bronchiectasis, NTM, and asthma. During...

5 days ago

Ksmiles123

Ksmiles123

Hello! Are you eating enough of vitamin D rich foods?https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-get-more-vitamin-d-from-your-food/

6 days ago

Vinny M

Vinny Mvoted on Gratefulness โ€” Going Forward in 2021

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6 days ago

Ksmiles123

Ksmiles123

Hello! Do you know what your Vitamin D level is? The link below offers a comprehensive review on the basics of Vitamin ๐Ÿ˜จ https://www.medicinenet.com/vitamin_d_deficiency/article.htm?ecd=mnl_gen_010721#what_causes_a_vitamin_d_deficiency

6 days ago

Hopeful99

Hopeful99

Hi I am newly diagnosed with bronchiectasis, MAC and the abscessus strain which is fast growing. Confirmed by broncoscopy. Iโ€™m 61 with Hep C for over 40 years. Tried treatment for that 3 times never worked. Also on TPN due to gastroparesis. For five years I was on feeding tube
Had sepsis in October whole month in hospital. 
Doc wanted me to give him sputum samples but nothing comes up. Doc said CT looked bad. But said o need sputum samples before he will treat me???!!! I need to get going on this. So short of breath. 
Any help be appreciated. Thx. So glad I found this place 

1 week ago

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  • Ksmiles123Hello! Welcome to the site. You have been through so much over the past year, to say the least. 
    Some patients are able to get a sputum sample after doing a normal saline nebulizer in the am. Also, take mucinex in the am if you tolerate mucinex.  Secretions pool in your chest overnight- this is why sputum induction or obtaining a specimen is easiest in the am. It will be very important to have a thorough GI consult with your Pulmonogist prior to the initiation of any antibiotic treatment. I wish you the best on this journey. Please let us know how you do .
    1 week ago
  • laff4evrGreetings Hopeful99. 1 week ago
  • ChristinaHWelcome Hopeful99. We are so glad that you have joined our community. Mobilizing sputum can definitely be difficult at times for many patients with bronchiectasis. I agree with Ksmiles123 about trying it in the morning after a treatment and you can also try utilizing a PEP device like a flutter, aerobika, or acapella to help "shake" those secretions loose. Let us know if you need more ideas!6 days ago
Ksmiles123

Ksmiles123Hello! Do you understand the term monoclonal antibodies?https://innovation.org/diseases/infectious/coronavirus/How-Monoclonal-Antibodies-Work

What Are Monoclonal Antibodies and How Do They Work?

As Americaโ€™s biopharmaceutical companies work around the clock to research and develop vaccines and treatments to help fight COVID-19, scientists have discovered how monoclonal antibody treatments can help reduce the length and severity of a coronavirus infection.

1 week ago

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  • Ksmiles123Hello Made,
    So glad to read school is going well ; hold onto to your goals!:).
    Do you take something to loosen the mucous on the rainy days?  Drink plenty of hot water? Extra airway clearance on those days? An inhaler if prescribed as needed? Bundle up warmly, take the extra infection control precautions throughout this season.  Stay safe and well. Katie1 week ago
  • madepramanaHi Katie. Thank you! Yes, I take a medication to loosen the mucus. I also like to drink some water. I am glad the mucus is not thick and I can cough it out. You too Katie, stay safe and well.6 days ago
  • Ksmiles123Made,
    Thank you for your kind words.:)6 days ago
Sumter

Sumter

Is anyone considering the covid vaccine?  Thoughts about it with bronchiectasis?

1 week ago

Lise

Lise

Today it is not a good day 
Yesterday I got a call form my doctor  he told me after 18 months  treatment and 6 months later the lungs still having bacteria but just a little bit told me 


I dรฉsappointรฉ because I think was going out 
Now a feel with good energy eat well do you exercise I will profite of that 
But this new make my down

the doctor told me if you got symptoms call me and we start the antibiotics agains 
 
I demands if it will be like this for years ? 
I thinks the bacteria will stay all my life with that it is very difficult reality for me 


Sorry for English 

1 week ago

  • NewestOldest
  • ChristinaHHaving a chronic lung condition is definitely a rollercoaster ride. You are going to have good days and bad. I agree with Ksmiles. A good wellness plan and a strong spiritual foothold can make a huge difference.  The people in this community are here to support you. 1 week ago
  • Ksmiles123Lise, Hello! I am sorry to read your update; I have been in your shoes with a reoccurrence. A little bit of bacteria is better than a large amount. No worries about your English- we are here for you.Some patients do stay in the drugs for 24months.I am glad that you feel more energetic.This report doesnโ€™t mean that the rest of your life will be this way.Eat well, continue to do the airway clearance everyday, eat well, stay hydrated, minimalize stress, hold on to whatever spiritual practice you have. Pamper yourself, practice good self care. Take one day at a time, making the best of each day. We will see what happens;hopefully, the bugs and symptoms will stay quiet. Please log in on a regular basis to let us know how you are doing. Katie1 week ago
Ksmiles123

Ksmiles123commented onGratefulness โ€” Going Forward in 2021

 Thank you for your kind words. I do believe that we have learned a lot from the pandemic. An example- Infection control precautions will now be practiced indefinitely by all. Many potential seasonal respiratory infections will now be lessened...

1 week ago

ChristinaH

ChristinaHvoted on Gratefulness โ€” Going Forward in 2021

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1 week ago

ChristinaH

ChristinaHcommented onGratefulness โ€” Going Forward in 2021

 What a great blog Katie! You definitely gave me a lot to think about when it comes to my goals for 2021. I agree with you that with the challenges that 2020 brought, it also gave me more time with family, a stronger feeling of faith, and a better...

1 week ago

Kandy

Kandy

1 week ago

Kandy

Kandyvoted on Gratefulness โ€” Going Forward in 2021

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1 week ago

Mary B

Mary B

I am new to the group and am so grateful to have found it. 
I have both Bronchiectasis and MAC. I will be starting the Arikayce treatment soon and would like to find someone else who is in the program

1 week ago

Patti

Pattianswered the question Any contraption or non-medical device that improves your quality of life?

Hill Rom has a new home device that we have been sending patients home with, the Volara System. It is like using an Aerobika and vest (oscillation) therapy while you do your nebulizer. So a three pronged approach to airway clearance.
ChristinaHKsmiles123Sumter also answered the question ChristinaHand 2 others also answered the question

1 week ago

360Coach Brandon

360Coach Brandon voted on Gratefulness โ€” Going Forward in 2021

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1 week ago

Gretchen

Gretchenadded a new article Gratefulness โ€” Going Forward in 2021

This blog post was written by Katie Keating, RN, MS, patient advocate

Gratitude and attitude are not challenges; they are choices -Robert Braathe, business trainer and author.

Gratefulness is so important, now more than ever. Let's use our 2020 vision and sense of gratitude to make 2021 the best year possible. This is a time to reset. Yes, we definitely have challenges with our respiratory issues and limitations; however, we can work on keeping on . . . in the...

1 week ago

Gretchen

Gretchenvoted on Gratefulness โ€” Going Forward in 2021

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1 week ago

kimm

kimm

Why is mac not on the list of diseases that are comorbidities regarding the covid vaccine?

1 week ago

Medical Advice

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. While we encourage individuals to share their personal experiences with bronchiectasis and NTM, please consult a physician before making changes to your own disease management plan.


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