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I feet the drive to limit the use of antibiotics (while
understandable) is largely responsible for my present condition -
bronchiectasis. I had cold and felt unwell, and then experienced sudden
onset severe chest pain when breathing in. I thought it was similar to
previous pain experienced abroad which had been diagnosed as pleuradynia
and told my GP this. She said she could not hear any crackles and thought
I had pulled muscles, so she gave me anti-inflammatory drugs. I was very
ill for a week and the pain spread to both lungs, front and back. When I
could drive again I went back to the surgery and saw another doctor. She
gave me antibiotics, but they only worked to some extent.
I coughed and was exhausted throughout that summer and was unable to
walk up the slightest slope without breathlessness. My GP thought I had
asthma and gave me various inhalers but they did not improve my condition.
In the autumn I raised the matter at a routine oncological check-up and
was referred for a scan. The diagnosis was bronchiectasis.
My quality of life is greatly affected by this addition to my list of
cancer side effects and co-morbidities. I now have need standby
antibiotics. The Erythromycin I was given for my last exacerbation had a
dire effect on my intestines, I was unable to eat and it caused internal
bleeding. The infection only cleared after 3 courses of antibiotics. In
other words, I now use many times more antibiotics than if I had been
given timely antibiotics with the original infection.
I am envious when I see animals readily being given antibiiotics on
television programmes.
NICE guidelines for bronchiectasis do not reflect my original
symptoms (my unproductive cough, hours of coughing when sitting,
breathlessness walking on slope or upstairs).
Note: My elderly neighbour had the same condition, was treated for
asthma and nearly died before a doctor friend found her unable to sleep,
eat or even talk. I have other friends who have the condition.
A doctor I visited during my last exacerbation while in the Channel
Islands said bronchiectasis seemed to be on the increase. I am not
surprised.
Do GPs need more help to recognise bronchiectasis?
I feet the drive to limit the use of antibiotics (while
understandable) is largely responsible for my present condition -
bronchiectasis. I had cold and felt unwell, and then experienced sudden
onset severe chest pain when breathing in. I thought it was similar to
previous pain experienced abroad which had been diagnosed as pleuradynia
and told my GP this. She said she could not hear any crackles and thought
I had pulled muscles, so she gave me anti-inflammatory drugs. I was very
ill for a week and the pain spread to both lungs, front and back. When I
could drive again I went back to the surgery and saw another doctor. She
gave me antibiotics, but they only worked to some extent.
I coughed and was exhausted throughout that summer and was unable to
walk up the slightest slope without breathlessness. My GP thought I had
asthma and gave me various inhalers but they did not improve my condition.
In the autumn I raised the matter at a routine oncological check-up and
was referred for a scan. The diagnosis was bronchiectasis.
My quality of life is greatly affected by this addition to my list of
cancer side effects and co-morbidities. I now have need standby
antibiotics. The Erythromycin I was given for my last exacerbation had a
dire effect on my intestines, I was unable to eat and it caused internal
bleeding. The infection only cleared after 3 courses of antibiotics. In
other words, I now use many times more antibiotics than if I had been
given timely antibiotics with the original infection.
I am envious when I see animals readily being given antibiiotics on
television programmes.
NICE guidelines for bronchiectasis do not reflect my original
symptoms (my unproductive cough, hours of coughing when sitting,
breathlessness walking on slope or upstairs).
Note: My elderly neighbour had the same condition, was treated for
asthma and nearly died before a doctor friend found her unable to sleep,
eat or even talk. I have other friends who have the condition.
A doctor I visited during my last exacerbation while in the Channel
Islands said bronchiectasis seemed to be on the increase. I am not
surprised.
Competing interests: No competing interests