Background
At 28 years old, an acute hospital admission due to pneumonia eventually led to a diagnosis of Asthma… and a very bleak prognosis unless I stopped smoking my 30 cigarettes a day. Smoking cessation was instant!
The asthma was well managed, albeit by steroid therapy, and caused little disruption to my life for the next 20 years until a particularly bad pneumonia in 1983. Thereafter, chest infections became a fairly regular occurrence, but to begin with I always responded well to antibiotics in conjunction with increased doses of steroids.
When did I notice something was wrong
By 2003 however, the frequency and severity of chest infections was having a significant negative impact on my quality of life. Over the next three years, despite being prescribed various antibiotics, hospital admissions to the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh became increasingly frequent.
How was I diagnosed with bronchiectasis
The cause of the infections was finally resolved by a CT scan in early 2007 whereby Bronchiectasis was diagnosed and my care was immediately transferred to Dr Adam Hill at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
How do you feel about the treatment
Unfortunately, repeated doses of one particular oral antibiotic had aggravated a previous quite separate condition, and this, along with multiple drug allergies, restricted the drugs that Dr Hill could safely use to treat the Bronchiectasis. At this stage my health was severely compromised and my quality of life was extremely poor. By late 2007 colon surgery became necessary. Recovery was very slow and chest infections requiring repeated hospital admissions were continuous for 6 months thereafter. The bacteria colonising my lungs was identified as Pseudomonas so an appropriate pro active drug regime of both nebulised and IV antibiotics was developed. Eventually, I was instructed how to self administer the IV antibiotics, via a mid line and this shortened the length of time I had to spend in hospital. After two years the nebulised antibiotic was withdrawn and my treatment continued on an 8 week pro active cycle of IV antibiotics. Despite the pro active plan, infections were still frequent, introduction of the mid lines became problematic, and so in 2009 a portacath was fitted.
What is the effect on my day to day living
Since then, the pro active care plan has proven successful and the frequency of acute exacerbations requiring hospital admissions has diminished dramatically. I tolerate and respond well to the chosen antibiotic, and find home administration via the port to be a safe and straightforward process. My physical health is vastly improved and I am once again able to lead an independent life. Exercise plays a part in my recovery so walking has become a regular activity and my breathing and general well being has improved in response.
Last Reviewed -13th January 2015