Background
I am 63 years of age and live with my wife and we have two grown up children. I suffered from asthma as a child and had frequent colds and some chest infections. The asthma was not very well controlled since this was back in the 1950s and 1960s before the introduction of ventolin and other inhalers. The asthma troubled me less from about my mid 20s.
When did I notice something was wrong?
In my mid 50s my breathing began to bother me again, chest infections became more frequent and I started to produce quite large volumes of sputum, mostly quite coloured. The sputum production could go on for quite long periods (months) and then reduce back for periods. I noticed that because of shortness of breath I could not do so much, for example walk as fast as colleagues or go upstairs as quickly. The sputum production also became a problem. I had to make sure I cleared my airways immediately before starting meetings (finding a quiet and secluded place to do this – because there was no mistaking the productive nature of the coughing), and similarly during meeting breaks for tea/coffee.
How was I first diagnosed with bronchiectasis?
I went to my GP with each of the chest infections and was given antibiotics – usually amoxicillin – for a week or 10 days. This usually dealt with the infection but I felt that the infection was never far away. I asked my GP to refer me to a specialist. This was Dr Hill. Fairly quickly he diagnosed me with bronchiectasis, although confirmation only came with a CT scan.
How do I feel about the treatment?
I feel that I’m getting the best treatment available. I find that a 14 day course of amoxicillin and ciprofloxacin together starting quickly after I recognise an infection is starting, very much nips the infection in the bud. My GP has prescribed these antibiotics for me to keep at home so I can get on to them quickly. I notice a significant difference in the length of illness if I am delayed in starting the medication, even a day’s delay can make a big difference.
What is the effect on my day to day living?
My day to day living is not very much affected by my bronchiectasis. I have never been a sporty person which is partly choice but also due to the childhood asthma. I tend to have about three chest infections per year and have become quite good at recognising when one is coming on. I become very tired and start to feel the effects of rapidly rising temperature (very cold almost uncontrollable shivering – all followed quite quickly by feeling very hot). Infections tend to follow periods when I am over-tired, or allow myself to get very cold over a period, or when exposed to infections from others. I have therefore to be careful about these things – particularly becoming over-tired. But I don’t wrap myself up in cotton wool, I still lead a fairly full life.
Last Reviewed -13th January 2015