Breathing

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Herb, I seem to remember breathing rapidly, and I couldn't really breathe slower at the time. Now I breathe fairly normally but often by mouth. That's because my nose feels stuffed up, but there is nothing to blow out. D.

To: bronchiectasis From: herb.schilling@...Date: Tue, 6 Jul 2010 21:31:53 -0400Subject: New member: son of bronchiectasis patient

Hi,I joined the list a while ago to learn about bronchiectasis. My mother has it. I have learned a lot from reading everyone's posts. Thank you to everyone for sharing.As an introduction, here's a quick overview of her status, followed by some questions for the group and then more details if anyone wants to read that far. Thanks in advance for any responses.My mother is 83 years old. She has had cylindrical bronchiectasis for a long time but it is only in the past few years that it has really caused any problems.She eats a very healthy diet but is losing her appetite and weight. Her heart is strong. Except for the bronchiectasis and some osteoporosis, her test results are fine, especially for someone her age. She is not on any medications to the amazement of many.The only thing she really does to get rid of the phlegm is to lie on her back twice a day. That makes her cough up some phlegm which is mostly beige. She has tried a few of the techniques mentioned in this group ( acapella, postural drainage ) but she thinks none of them do any good or make her sick.Her problems are weakness, some shortness of breath, nausea, a feeling of being drunk or just not right, and depression. Her mornings are terrible and she can go up and down dramatically with her symptoms throughout the day. Everyone once in a while, for some unknown reason, she has a "not too bad" day.My questions are:1. Sometimes, she breathes shallowly and very rapidly, sometimes 40+ times per minute even when sitting! I try to get her to take slower, deeper breaths but she doesn't think it will help. Would it help her?2. Do other bronchiectasis patients have problems with nausea and feeling drunk? I am wondering if some of this is due to the sometimes violent coughing doing bad things to her head and neck.3. Do others have these dramatic swings in symptoms throughout the day? Is it much worse for you in the morning?Some more details:Her BP is about 120/70, which some docs say is too low for a person her age. Cholesterol levels are great. Her last pulse Ox was 95%.They say 50% of her right and 20% of her left lungs are affected. She never has wheezing problems.She likes using natural methods and really stays away from drugs. She was told by her physician to take papain to loosen the phlegm and that seems to help.We have seen lung specialists, heart specialists, gastroenterologists , neurologists and endocrinologists at the Cleveland Clinic. Except for the bronchiectasis and some osteoporosis, they can't find anything wrong with her.As a result of her problems, she doesn't get out much at all which of course adds to the depression.Lack of movement is not a problem, though. She keeps busy around the house. She has always been a really hard worker and not being able to work like she used to is REALLY killing her.For whatever reason, she feels best after having a little wine and after taking a shower.-- Herb Schilling