Thanks for the Welcome

December 21, 2004

Hi Noni,

Where do you live in Missouri? We lived in Columbia, MO from 1959 to 1966. We lived west of Kansas City, Kansas for two years before moving to Texas in 1982. I am from Illinois, about 50 miles east of St. Louis, MO. You asked about the vest. I have used it for a little over two years. Medicare made all of the payments and now rent it for me since I did not want to own it and have to pay for any repairs if needed. For more information about it, their web site is: www.thevest.com

I also have atrial fibrillation and mitral valve prolapse. I have tried Prednisone, Pulmicort and Mucinex.

Bronchiectasis can certainly be lifestyle changing.

Norma (Austin, Texas)

December 21, 2004

Thanks for all your responses to my first e-mail. To

clarify who I am: I am Nonie, wife of Bernard, and I am 71 years

old. I live in Missouri, and other

than bronchiectasis and atrial fibrillation, I am in relatively good health. I

have four grown children but none live with us.

I am looking forward to learning all about your experiences

with bronchiectasis. My main problem is coughing and spitting up

sputum/phlegm/mucus. It is clear and I have never had pneumonia with

it. However, I did have pneumonia in my youth and a serious lung

infection when I was an adult, and I was told by my pulmonologist that this is

probably the cause of my current condition because I have a lot of scar

tissue. I always have a prolonged coughing spell after arising in the

morning, another before lunch, then again in the afternoon, and once or twice

in the evening. I have to arrange all my activities during my

non-coughing hours and this really presents a problem because I am never sure

when I am going to go into a coughing spell.

I have been on QVAR 80 mcg steroid inhalator, Fordail

Aerolizer 13 mcg per capsule, Prenisone, Pulmicort Turbuhaler, Mucinex, and

back on Pulmicort several times, plus I have used a Flutter Value for months.

I originally tried posturing, but that was too difficult for me to

handle. The Flutter Valve helps but I am not able to use it to control

when I cough since the coughing controls me. Originally I was on an

antibiotic, Levaquin, but had a serious muscle reaction so my pulmonologist

does not want to try antibiotics. I am also allergic to penicillin. Of

course, if I get a serious infection, I will have to resort to antibiotics. Currently

I am on no medication (my decision) because none seem to offer that much

relief. I am short of breath but that doesn’t cause as much

interference in my life as the constant coughing and hacking.

Another problem I have been experiencing is severe gum

discomfort. Has anyone ever had a problem with this that might be

associated with bronchiectasis and coughing up phlegm?

What is the vest that was mentioned? And how do I find

out more about it? Does anyone know of anything that can control the coughing

and the number of times a person has to cough up the sputum?

Nonie

December 21, 2004

Noni, I think the gum thing is to do with vitamin deficiency, some

medications also cause mouth problems, A good old recipe to help with the

coughing fits is to drink lots of water but even better is potato water.

Boil up a pot of potatoes, over cook, then pour the water off and drink

warm, drink as often as you can at first, then schedule yourself, with it,

it is really very good.

I am attempting to post a list , on boxing day of well known, tried and true

health alternatives to meds, not to say wipe out meds, but they do really

help( home potions) are cheaper, and healthier.

Sandy

>

>Reply-To: bronchiectasis

>To: " BronchiectasisYahoogroups (DOT) Com " <bronchiectasis >

>Subject: Thanks for the Welcome

>Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2004 17:03:22 -0600

>

>Thanks for all your responses to my first e-mail. To clarify who I am:

>I am Nonie, wife of Bernard, and I am 71 years old. I live in Missouri,

>and other than bronchiectasis and atrial fibrillation, I am in

>relatively good health. I have four grown children but none live with

>us.

>

>I am looking forward to learning all about your experiences with

>bronchiectasis. My main problem is coughing and spitting up

>sputum/phlegm/mucus. It is clear and I have never had pneumonia with

>it. However, I did have pneumonia in my youth and a serious lung

>infection when I was an adult, and I was told by my pulmonologist that

>this is probably the cause of my current condition because I have a lot

>of scar tissue. I always have a prolonged coughing spell after arising

>in the morning, another before lunch, then again in the afternoon, and

>once or twice in the evening. I have to arrange all my activities

>during my non-coughing hours and this really presents a problem because

>I am never sure when I am going to go into a coughing spell.

>

>I have been on QVAR 80 mcg steroid inhalator, Fordail Aerolizer 13 mcg

>per capsule, Prenisone, Pulmicort Turbuhaler, Mucinex, and back on

>Pulmicort several times, plus I have used a Flutter Value for months. I

>originally tried posturing, but that was too difficult for me to handle.

>The Flutter Valve helps but I am not able to use it to control when I

>cough since the coughing controls me. Originally I was on an

>antibiotic, Levaquin, but had a serious muscle reaction so my

>pulmonologist does not want to try antibiotics. I am also allergic to

>penicillin. Of course, if I get a serious infection, I will have to

>resort to antibiotics. Currently I am on no medication (my decision)

>because none seem to offer that much relief. I am short of breath but

>that doesn't cause as much interference in my life as the constant

>coughing and hacking.

>

>Another problem I have been experiencing is severe gum discomfort. Has

>anyone ever had a problem with this that might be associated with

>bronchiectasis and coughing up phlegm?

>

>What is the vest that was mentioned? And how do I find out more about

>it? Does anyone know of anything that can control the coughing and the

>number of times a person has to cough up the sputum?

>

>Nonie

>

December 21, 2004

Nonie, What helps me at night is Robitussin Max strength for coughs and

colds. My pharm. recommended it when I was coughing so much and it really

helps me to sleep. Keep watching the posts, there's a lot of good advice on

it. Good luck.