Background
I had asthma symptoms in my late teens but was not officially diagnosed with asthma until my late 20`s. This was well managed with a steroid inhaler & a salbutamol inhaler as required.
In my early 30`s I had repeated chest infections & as a result I became allergic/sensitive to many antibiotics. When I was in my early 40`s I was hospitalised with pneumonia.
How was I diagnosed
Quite by chance a GP Registrar who had been working in Respiratory medicine came to do a rotation in the GP surgery that I attend & she suggested that I should be referred to the chest
Clinic as she thought my symptoms resembled Bronchiectasis. I attended the respiratory clinic & saw Prof Hill. I had a CT scan which was inconclusive, so a bronchoscopy was arranged & this
Confirmed the diagnosis of bronchiectasis. I now attend the respiratory clinic every 6 months & I use an antibiotic nebuliser once a day.
What effects on my day to day living
My bronchiectasis has become more severe over the ensuing years & I do have spells requiring IV antibiotic therapy which I am able, following instruction, to administer at home.
There are occasions, however, when I am unwell enough to be hospitalised to have IV therapy.
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Although I have daily nebulised antibiotic therapy, I focus on the things I am able to do rather than the ones I am no longer able to do.
Last updated October 2019