BronchandNTM360social welcomes new member Jillian who joins 4,986 current members of our community. Weโ€™re glad you're here!

360Coach Brandon

360Coach Brandon

As we move into the holiday week, our hearts are holding many things at once. Weโ€™re sending warm wishes to our Jewish friends in the Bronch and NTM 360social community on the first night of Hanukkah, with hopes that the light brings comfort, peace, and renewed strength. Weโ€™re also deeply saddened by the violence in Australia and are keeping everyone affected, their loved ones, and the surrounding community in our thoughts. May this season remind us of compassion, connection, and hope for gentler days ahead. ๐Ÿ’™

1 day ago

Ksmiles123

Ksmiles123Happy Hanukkah ๐Ÿ•Ž to all who celebrate! I hope that you truly enjoy your holiday season. 

5 hours ago

Ksmiles123

Ksmiles123

16 hours ago

Indigoblue

Indigoblue

I am extremely fatigued a week in on IV antibiotics. I feel much better in terms of my infection but I canโ€™t believe how tired I am.  Have others had this experience? I feel like I could sleep all day and all night! My assumption is it is related to my body fighting the infection and not the medication itself.

1 day ago

Ksmiles123

Ksmiles123

Hello! Snow โ„ is hitting many parts of the northeast. The snow can be beautiful to look at, but the extreme cold air can make things challenging for those with chronic lung conditions. The cold air can cause bronchospasms and make breathing more difficult for some people. The wisest thing you can do to protect yourself in cold weather is to be prepared, whether that's having an inhaler regimen for a few days in case of an emergency or having a portable, charged-up, or battery-operated nebulizer as needed. If you have to go outside, breathe in through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Your nose does a better job of warming the air than your mouth. Wear a scarf to wrap around your nose and mouth. Avoid exercising outdoors. Get someone to assist you with snow removal if possible. Breathing heavier during any type of exercise in cold weather can increase symptoms of asthma or chronic lung conditions. Let us know if you have any questions.

1 day ago

Ksmiles123

Ksmiles123Hello! The holidays are around the corner. Many of us tend to overeat throughout the holiday season. It is important to be mindful of your eating habits if you have acid reflux. Below is a you tube video, featuring Dr. Gwen Huitt , reviewing the basics of acid reflux . Let us know if you have any questions. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lf_hSgJ21BY

3 days ago

Ksmiles123

Ksmiles123

Hello! Preventative measures are far easier to deal with than curative measures.  Airway clearance is most important at this time of the year than other seasons. Below is an infographic on avoiding pneumonia: https://www.bronchiectasisandntminitiative.org/Portals/0/DownloadsLibrary/Files/StayingHealthyPneumonia.pdf

3 days ago

360Coach Brandon

360Coach Brandon

I want to take a moment to recognize Katie and the incredible support she brings as an Ambassador for our Bronchiectasis and NTM 360social community. Sheโ€™s such a valuable resource, and weโ€™re fortunate to have her right here on the site when questions come up or when someone needs a little extra insight or reassurance.

If thereโ€™s something youโ€™d prefer to ask more privately, Katie is always open to connecting one-on-one. You can reach out through private message here on the platform, or email her directly if that feels easier.

Weโ€™re so grateful for everything she does to help our community feel informed, supported, and never alone. Thank you, Katie, for all the heart you bring to this space. ๐Ÿ’›

5 days ago

ChristinaH

ChristinaHThe snow is finally melting in Richmond, VA! What does it look like out your window? Anyone want to escape to the tropics? ๐Ÿ๏ธ๐Ÿ˜Ž๐ŸŒž

5 days ago

360Coach Brandon

360Coach Brandon

Happy December, Bronchiectasis & NTM 360social!

Weโ€™ve made it to the season of sparkly lights, warm drinks, and trying to remember where we put the good blanket. Even with winter settling in, this is a great time to celebrate everything we can do -- at our pace, in our way, and with plenty of support along the journey.

Living with bronchiectasis or NTM means weโ€™re often pros at planning ahead and juggling routines, but look at the wins we keep stacking up:
๐ŸŽ„ Still navigating the colder air like seasoned winter strategists
๐ŸŽ Still showing up for each other with kindness, humor, and โ€œyouโ€™ve-got-thisโ€ energy
โ›„ Still finding ways to make December feel bright -- airways, clearance, and all

And letโ€™s admit it: this community has mastered the art of celebrating the small victories:
โœจ Got through airway clearance today? That absolutely counts as holiday magic
โœจ Wrapped a gift without losing the scissors? Champion behavior
โœจ Chose rest before stress? Youโ€™re basically running a masterclass
โœจ Found a moment to breathe a bit easier? Thatโ€™s the best gift of the season

December isnโ€™t about what we canโ€™t do -- itโ€™s about honoring what we manage every day and finding joy in the little things we can do, even on tougher days.

Hereโ€™s to a month filled with gentle laughs, warm connections, brighter-breathing days, and minimal run-ins with rogue tinsel! ๐Ÿ’™๐ŸŽ„๐Ÿ˜„

5 days ago

Janni

Janni

๐Ÿ˜

6 days ago

Jenifer70

Jenifer70

Good afternoon every one. The 3ร—s a wk is still better than before however still antibiotic overload on some days. But im not a very big person so i guess is it what it is. The Dr added 2 more monrhs of antibiotics due to the lack of progress when i was vomiting. It's effecting my vision on some days. And he also brought up surgery if I  keep collecting the adverse reactions.  2 more months sounds better.  I'm mentally & physically exhuasted , constant struggle to get through the day . But I'm doing it. Hope the holidays are good to everyone.  And remember...Chin Up !

6 days ago

  • NewestOldestClick to View All Comments4 comment(s)
  • das23Hang in there Jennifer..........Chin Up Indeed--Good for you๐Ÿ’ช6 days ago
  • Alyssa DittnerIโ€™m sorry to hear that youโ€™re going through a tough time. Keep holding on to the hope that tomorrow will be better. I hope you're discovering small miracles every day that bring you a bit of joy. We also have a page on nausea with helpful tips you might find useful. Sending you warm hugs! https://www.bronchiectasisandntminitiative.org/Learn-More/I-am-a-Patient-or-Caregiver/Coping-with-Nausea
    Coping with Nausea | Bronchiectasis and NTM Association

    Large amounts of mucus and repeated use of certain medicines called antibiotics (an tee by ah tics) can cause nausea and an upset stomach for many people with bronchiectasis and nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease.

    5 days ago
  • ChristinaHGreat to hear from you Jenifer70 โ€‹. Sounds like treatment has been a struggle, but your positive mindset is pulling you through. Hope you "see" you at the coffee break! It will be nice to connect with our community. As always, don't hesitate to call us when you need a lift or a sounding board. We are here for you! ๐Ÿค—5 days ago
Ksmiles123

Ksmiles123

How are you feeling with the colder weather? Some of us with the additional diagnosis of Asthma may need to use our inhalers more frequently. Cold air , winds can cause bronchospasms in some individuals. It is best to wear a scarf ๐Ÿงฃ and to carry your inhaler with you when you are out and about. 

6 days ago

Ksmiles123

Ksmiles123Are you looking for something interesting to watch? The Lung Health Collaborative Virtual Assembly was recently held. Below are some great you tube presentations of great speakers and relevant content: https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLY1u8Ny9CYw1jJwLExOU1GqH-hjdipLHM

Lung Health Collaborative Virtual Assembly

On November 6, 2025, the COPD Foundation brought together leading experts in the field of respiratory medicine to discuss current innovations and cutting-edg...

1 week ago

KK

KK

Is anyone taking brinsupri i am afraid to take it because i take a lot of pill form herbs abd vitimins anyone else help kk

1 week ago

Ksmiles123

Ksmiles123

This week is National Influenza Vaccination Week. The link below will review the history of this week and the importance of the influenza vaccination: https://nationaltoday.com/national-influenza-vaccination-week/

1 week ago

Ksmiles123

Ksmiles123Hello! Are you up to listening to a podcast?  The podcast below, entitled Research Under Attack- Protecting NIH Funding, podcast # 19 will give you an update on research in lung disease: https://copdfoundation.podbean.com/

COPD Foundation Podcast | COPD Foundation Inc.

The COPD Podcast is a health podcast series dedicated to raising awareness for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and helping those affected by the condition live their best lives. Each episode explores a particular aspect of COPD, from diagnosis...

1 week ago

360Coach Brandon

360Coach Brandon Hello everyone!โ€ฏ

Our next BronchandNTM360social Coffee Break is Wednesday, December 10, 2025 @ 2:30pm EST.

We will end the year with an open Questions and Answer session. Please plan to ask your questions during our discussion or email them to us in advance at contactus@bronchandntm.org. Alyssa Dittner BSRT, PDE, NTTS, our Assistant Director of Education and Community will share travel tips.

In celebration of the holiday season, please wear your ugly holiday sweater, fun holiday outfit, or your favorite holiday colors to add some spirit to the meeting!โ€ฏ

Below are some helpful resources related to our discussion:โ€ฏ

https://www.bronchiectasisandntminitiative.org/BronchandNTM360social/Community-Discussions/Blog/Article/177/Tips-for-the-Holidays-for-individuals-with-bronchiectasis-and-NTMโ€ฏ

We will open the call fifteen minutes early, so please join us if you wish to speak casually with us or other community members. Any health-related discussion will be held until the start of the meeting.

The meeting registration link is here:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZclcuusrDMpG9PrF3BDUA2nw2csTkQsg7EG#/registration

Lookingโ€ฏforward to seeing you soon!

Tips for the Holidays for individuals with bronchiectasis and NTM lung disease

This blog post was authored by Katie Keating, RN, MS, and reviewed by the Bronchiectasis and NTM Content Review and Evaluation Committee. The holidays are quickly approaching. We have gotten through an extremely challenging pandemic. However, many people with lung conditions are also worried …

1 week ago

Ksmiles123

Ksmiles123

Were you able to listen into the summary of the North American BNTM Conference, presented by Dr. Doreen Adrizzio? One of her key points was about getting pneumococcal antibody levels labs done. If the antibody levels are low, our healthcare providers may recommend a booster. A repeat lab test should be done after the booster to make sure that you have adequate protection. This is so important as we prepare for the upcoming winter months. 

1 week ago

Suepink1

Suepink1

Question for our meeting:  Does everyone with bronchiectasis in the USA get put on a Bronchiectasis Register?  Or are some health services unaware there is such a thing?

1 week ago

JennyJM

JennyJM

Hi all! Happy December! I hope everyone is staying warm if you are like me and already buried in snow.โ›„ Remember to take time for yourself during the holiday season. It's very easy to become overwhelmed, discouraged, and burnt out while juggling family, travel, shopping and dealing with the overall hustle and bustle all around. The holidays are full of the best times but also some of the hardest. Take that extra 5 minutes for yourself, smile at babies, brake for squirrels, and when feeling isolated remember you always have support here!


"Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see" -Mark Twain๐Ÿ’Œ

1 week ago

Ksmiles123

Ksmiles123Handwashing is one of the top measures to lessen the spread of infection, especially in a healthcare facility. A nosocomial infection is a term used when a patient gets an infection while in a healthcare setting. The link and infographic below reviews the basics of handwashing. It is important that you advocate for yourself and speak up if you notice that a healthcare professional is not washing their hands before examining you. Please let me know if you have any questions. https://www.cdc.gov/clean-hands/about/hand-hygiene-for-healthcare.html

1 week ago

360Coach Brandon

360Coach Brandon

Hello December, BronchandNTM360social! โ„

I hope everyone is settling in as we head deeper into the cold months. This is a great time to take a quick look at the things that help keep you feeling your bestโ€”making sure medications are filled, keeping your usual supplies handy, and staying mindful of those early signs that an exacerbation might be trying to sneak in. A little preparation now can make these chilly days a lot smoother.

December also has a way of making us pause and look back on the year. Weโ€™ve had moments of change, moments of strength, and moments that reminded us just how important this community is. Weโ€™ve had to say goodbye to friends far too soon, and they remain close to our hearts. Weโ€™ve also welcomed new faces and leaned on the steady support of those whoโ€™ve been with us for years.

So as we settle into this month, letโ€™s take care of ourselves, look out for each other, and keep sharing the support and kindness that make this space feel like home. Hereโ€™s to a gentle, grounded, hopeful December for all of us!๐Ÿ’™๐Ÿงก

1 week ago

Ksmiles123

Ksmiles123

Hello! Our next BronchandNTM360social Coffee Break is Wednesday, December 10, 2025 @ 2:30pm EST.
We will end the year with an open Questions and Answer session.  It would be great if we could have some questions submitted in advance of the coffee break.
Please plan to ask your questions during our discussion or email them to us at contactus@bronchandntm.org


Thank you! :) 

1 week ago

Ksmiles123

Ksmiles123Hello! When at the doctorโ€™s office, itโ€™s important to take measures that will reduce exposure to germs. Some examples are using a paper towel to turn off the bathroom faucet, using a tissue for the elevator buttons and door handles. Wearing a N95 mask is optional in most offices today, but I would recommend it in some healthcare settings.  Below are some links to CDC resources on infection control measures: https://www.cdc.gov/infection-control/about/index.html

Infection Control Basics

Infection control prevents or stops the spread of infections in healthcare settings.

1 week ago

Ksmiles123

Ksmiles123Are you currently using telehealth? Below is a link to updates Federal policies related to telehealth: https://telehealth.hhs.gov/providers/telehealth-policy/telehealth-policy-updates

Telehealth policy updates

Learn about recent Federal legislation and policies related to telehealth.

1 week ago

Ksmiles123

Ksmiles123Welcome to the month of December!
I hope that the month is tolerable and not too burr for us. Get your scarves ๐Ÿงฃ out to cover your mouth and nose when you are out and about.
Throughout this month, we will review infection control measures to lessen the chances of getting respiratory infections. We will review environmental conditions that can impact our health in the winter months. We will discuss healthy communication with family and friends so that they understand our often invisible respiratory condition, at the times when you are feeling well or are not feeling well . Lastly, we will address holiday stressors that could impact our physical and emotional health. We desire to assist you in finding joy throughout the month. Let us know if you have any specific questions. 

2 weeks ago

Ksmiles123

Ksmiles123Hello! I hope that you had a lovely Thanksgiving holiday. Managing our personal energy throughout busy times of the year is challenging for many patients. Some individuals experience a greater level of fatigue when they push themselves too much, other patients do not feel a high level of fatigue. Below is an article I wrote years ago on tips for energy management that I thought it may assist you during the upcoming winter holidays. Please let me know if you have any questions or comments with some of your energy management tips. https://www.bronchiectasisandntminitiative.org/BronchandNTM360social/Community-Discussions/Blog/Article/52/Energy-Management-The-Key-to-Living-with-NTMBronchiectasis

Energy Management-The Key to Living with NTM/Bronchiectasis

This blog post was written by Katie Keating, RN, MS, patient advocate NTM/Bronchiectasis patients have an invisible disorder, which as a patient, I feel few truly understand. Dealing with chronic lung disease on a daily basis can be extremely challenging. A major symptom for many …

2 weeks ago

  • NewestOldest
  • Suepink1For me:
    Simplifying and de-cluttering, yep, and moving house helped greatly with that! Learning to say no, yep! Rest, yep, or crash. 
    Realistic when it's hard to breathe. I have a lung disease, of course sometimes it's hard to breathe, but I am, so as long as I breathe out, I know I'll breathe in again.  Do something gentle and take my mind off of breathing.
    I am sometimes totally accepting, then, I don't know what the correct word is, but frustrated, why can't I do this.  For instance - I look at a walk, and it seems obvious, of course I can walk up that hill, ("it's not a hill, it's an incline") and then find myself struggling, and almost wondering why I can't do it. 
    Daft, I know, but, this is me. 2 weeks ago
  • Ksmiles123SuePink1,
    It is not you alone, you described many of us. I feel that we deal with ups and downs like a roller coaster at times.  We have good days , and some frustrating days. We have learned about ACT, Acceptance and Commitment Theory, but I still feel challenged, frustrated at times after so many years. The key is to identify the source of frustration and take action steps to lessen the frustration with that particular issue for the next time. I cannot do hills either- many of us lack extra/ residual volume in our lungs. Pittsburgh has a lot of hills, similar to SanFrancisco. I chose places that are flat to walk, in the area.  Otherwise,I drive to that area park that is flat without hills. 
    One day at a time. Thank you for posting your comments. 2 weeks ago
marsrocket

marsrocketHere are my big Black Friday plans. Happy weekend, friends. 

2 weeks 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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