(No subject)

[Guest guest]

Hello Ina, hello everyone. This rotten disease seems to affect everyone in

different ways. I have been ill for at least ten years with recurrent chest

infections. This past eleven months have been absolute hell for me - I've

been admitted to hospital four times, for a total of two months, and have

been taken to hospital by ambulance eight times now (since 28th May).

Like Ina, I also have arthritis. My rheumotologist has done research on

this, and says that about 80% of his patients with arthritis also have

Bronchiectasis. To me, that is quite significant - it would appear that they

are partner diseases. Now all they have to do is find a way to control it.

I went to a new specialist a week ago (as most of you know), and he is not

one to rush into hospitalisation, he told me - and that suits me fine.

Talking with my private health fund recently, they told me that they would

be prepared to supply a live in (or out) nurse for me to undertake my

treatments if I don't want to go to hospital, provided my doctor approves.

(It's already cost them around $20,000 for hospitalisation for me this

year). Personally, I can't see why I couldn't - the main reason I go in, is

to have IV anti's, and they're usually six hourly, so I can't see any

problems, except perhaps in the first two or three days when I usually need

constant oxygen.

The other interesting thing this new respiratory specialist told me is that

percussion is old hat. That's what the other specialist has been ordering

for me. So, I have to go see a new physiotherapist on the 20th January -

unfortunately, that's the earliest I could get in due to the Christmas

break.

Well everyone, sorry for rambling, but until I got on this group, I had no

idea how wide spread (and different) this disease could be, and thought it

may help newbies. I hope everyone has a nice New Year's Day - I personally

plan to sleep in!

Cheryl