My Asthma and Bronchiectasis Story
Evert since I was a child I've had asthma. It always sent me to the ER and then the hospital, catching pneumonia and bronchitis multiple times. Each time I needed to stay in the hospital for a few weeks. Once I turned 24 I was having symptoms I could not manage with my normal day to day medication. I felt like I had something else going on too so I made an appointment with a nurse practitioner. She ran all kinds of tests and she still could not find the diagnosis of why I was having these symptoms so she referred me to a lung specialist.
He ordered a CT scan of my lungs and as he was looking through it he told me I had something called bronchiectasis. It causes scarring in different areas of the lungs which, for me, is scarred in the lower lobe. The reason for that is because of reccurring infections like pneumonia and bronchitis. There is no cure, only to keep in check with a lung specialist every 6 months or so and take puffs of prescribed inhalers.
Most people think it is easy to have lung problems but it is not something we'll have to work with for the rest of our lives, taking medicines everyday and seeing the doctor every 6 months. It's tough, especially having asthma and another lung problem, flare-ups, and not being able to breathe. I can not do all tasks in 5 breaths. We all need to slow down and take care of ourselves one breath at a time.
Thank you for letting me share my story.
Hi.
You are welcome! And Thank YOU for sharing your powerful and personal journey with asthma and bronchiectasis. Your resilience in the face of recurrent infections and the discovery of a new challenge like bronchiectasis is truly admirable. As a fellow asthmatic myself, I can agree that managing lung conditions is a daily commitment. Remember, you are not alone, and your story serves as a reminder for all of us to prioritize our health -- and to take it one breath at a time. If there's anything you ever want to share or discuss, the community is here for you. Wishing you all the best. John. community moderator 
- your words carry a powerful message. Taking care of ourselves, especially for those dealing with conditions like asthma and bronchiectasis, often requires a mindful and intentional approach. Focusing on each breath and being attuned to our bodies can make a significant difference in managing these conditions and promoting overall well-being. Thank you for sharing your journey here in the community. It is these accounts that ring true for many with lung conditions and it definitely reminds us we are not alone in the struggle for the next breath. Thoughtfully - Rebecca (community moderator)
