Had four chest infections in the last 12 months, in the midst of my sixth since I started counting in 2013. I work with a member of the editorial board of the Cochrane airways group. Sweating my way through a meeting, running out of breath speaking, he took me down to see an asthma consultant. Had my treatment bumped up the treatment ladder (I'm asthmatic) and got booked in for a high resolution ct scan in January. Heard nothing for ages, then got a call back for a normal ct scan. Got told by radiology that it was routine. Forgot about it.
I'm off to Naples and was aware that the sore throat I've got would become a chest infection - anything I get goes on my chest. Head down to GP on Thursday, who looking through my notes finds a letter from February informing them that I've got "mild sub segmental and right middle lobe and basal lobe bronchiectasis".
I'm away for a week now. i have people I can speak to at work when I get back. However, any heads up welcome. I've read there are devices called acapella and flutter. Any clues? I've got a power breathe device already, and have read a bit about the benefits of inspiratory muscle training because of work with closetleftie. GP gave me a big stash of antibiotics and steroids as well as my usual inhalers and antihistamines.
Sure enough, sore throat has become a source of nice thick green gloop. In trying the active cycle of breathing technique, and that seems to be helping.
The clinical report has more detail:
"Lungs well expanded, satisfactory appearance of central airway. Mild cylindrical brochiectasis involving the medial segment for both the lower lobes. The lower lobe changes are better evaluated on the prone examination. There is peri bronchial thickening with minor mucus plugging. In addition, patchy ground glass changes are seen in the left lower lobe, suggesting super added infection.
There is no evidence of septal thickening, tractional bronchiectasis or architectural distortion to suggest fibrosis. There is no significant mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Visualised upper abdominal organs are unremarkable (rude!)."
Any additional insights? GP saw me at 6pm. Pointed me at Google, and said "you just need to be on top of it with antibiotics and steroids. It won't affect you".
I think I'd like a bit more detail