{"id":871,"date":"2025-02-14T11:14:00","date_gmt":"2025-02-14T11:14:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/?page_id=871"},"modified":"2025-02-14T12:28:07","modified_gmt":"2025-02-14T12:28:07","slug":"helens-story-moderate","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/patient-stories\/helens-story-moderate\/","title":{"rendered":"Helen\u2019s Story (Moderate)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>As written in 2015<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Background<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I am not sure where this story begins! I was brought up in a smoking household until the age of 9 then led a very healthy existence until I took up smoking at the age of 15. I smoked heavily for ten years and eventually gave up due to attacks of bronchitis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When I was 25 I went back to my healthy lifestyle until a severe chest infection aged 38 knocked me sideways. This went on for weeks and no antibiotic seemed to help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Eventually a wise GP diagnosed late onset asthma (which coincidentally a cousin had at the same age) and this was confirmed by subsequent tests. For about 12 years I used different inhalers and it was reasonably well controlled.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><div class=\"wpcp-wp-lightbox-host wpcp-advanced-image-lightbox-icon-hover\"><a class=\"wpcp-wp-lightbox-image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/153\/2025\/02\/Waterfall-768x576-1.jpg\" data-wpcp-wp-lb-image=\"1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/153\/2025\/02\/Waterfall-768x576-1.jpg\" alt=\"Waterfall 768x576\" class=\"wp-image-873\" srcset=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/153\/2025\/02\/Waterfall-768x576-1.jpg 768w, https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/153\/2025\/02\/Waterfall-768x576-1-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/153\/2025\/02\/Waterfall-768x576-1.jpg\" data-fancybox=\"wpcp-wp-img-873\" class=\"wpcp-lightbox-trigger wpcp-advanced-image-lightbox-icon wpcp-position-top-right wpcp-advanced-image-lightbox-icon-hover wpcp-global-lightbox-icon wpcp-lightbox-icon--global wpcp-lb-icon-style-default\" data-wpcp-lb-icon-source=\"global\" aria-label=\"Open image in lightbox\" data-thumb-src=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/153\/2025\/02\/Waterfall-768x576-1-300x225.jpg\" data-wpcp-lb-single=\"1\"><span class=\"wpcp-icon-container\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\"><path d=\"M17.6585 16.025L14.2437 12.6198C15.1716 11.3338 15.6121 9.7613 15.4871 8.1819C15.362 6.60251 14.6795 5.11847 13.5607 3.99351C12.936 3.36206 12.1916 2.86066 11.3709 2.51845C10.5502 2.17623 9.66952 2 8.77995 2C7.89039 2 7.00969 2.17623 6.18899 2.51845C5.36829 2.86066 4.62395 3.36206 3.99919 3.99351C3.36594 4.61649 2.86312 5.35871 2.51992 6.17708C2.17673 6.99545 2 7.87365 2 8.76068C2 9.64772 2.17673 10.5259 2.51992 11.3443C2.86312 12.1627 3.36594 12.9049 3.99919 13.5279C5.11957 14.6901 6.62279 15.4103 8.23285 15.5562C9.84291 15.7022 11.4517 15.2641 12.7639 14.3224L16.1788 17.7275C16.3849 17.9034 16.6473 18 16.9186 18C17.1899 18 17.4523 17.9034 17.6585 17.7275C18.1138 17.16 18.1138 16.5925 17.6585 16.025ZM5.59278 12.0523C5.16258 11.6298 4.82094 11.1263 4.58774 10.5709C4.35455 10.0156 4.23446 9.41951 4.23446 8.81744C4.23446 8.21536 4.35455 7.6193 4.58774 7.06394C4.82094 6.50859 5.16258 6.00503 5.59278 5.58257C6.01644 5.15359 6.52144 4.81292 7.07838 4.58039C7.63532 4.34786 8.23308 4.22811 8.83687 4.22811C9.44066 4.22811 10.0384 4.34786 10.5954 4.58039C11.1523 4.81292 11.6573 5.15359 12.081 5.58257C12.5112 6.00503 12.8528 6.50859 13.086 7.06394C13.3192 7.6193 13.4393 8.21536 13.4393 8.81744C13.4393 9.41951 13.3192 10.0156 13.086 10.5709C12.8528 11.1263 12.5112 11.6298 12.081 12.0523C11.6573 12.4813 11.1523 12.822 10.5954 13.0545C10.0384 13.287 9.44066 13.4068 8.83687 13.4068C8.23308 13.4068 7.63532 13.287 7.07838 13.0545C6.52144 12.822 6.01644 12.4813 5.59278 12.0523Z\" \/><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>When did you notice something was wrong?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However I started to get regular chest infections with increasing frequency and I used amoxicillin (antibiotic) most of the time. Then infections were only a few weeks apart. I found that cold, paint or perfume would seriously irritate my lungs, cause lots of sputum and then an infection would ensue.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><div class=\"wpcp-wp-lightbox-host wpcp-advanced-image-lightbox-icon-hover\"><a class=\"wpcp-wp-lightbox-image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/153\/2025\/02\/Yosemite-e1569958530398-768x1024-1.jpg\" data-wpcp-wp-lb-image=\"1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/153\/2025\/02\/Yosemite-e1569958530398-768x1024-1.jpg\" alt=\"Yosemite e1569958530398 768x1024\" class=\"wp-image-874\" srcset=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/153\/2025\/02\/Yosemite-e1569958530398-768x1024-1.jpg 768w, https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/153\/2025\/02\/Yosemite-e1569958530398-768x1024-1-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/153\/2025\/02\/Yosemite-e1569958530398-768x1024-1.jpg\" data-fancybox=\"wpcp-wp-img-874\" class=\"wpcp-lightbox-trigger wpcp-advanced-image-lightbox-icon wpcp-position-top-right wpcp-advanced-image-lightbox-icon-hover wpcp-global-lightbox-icon wpcp-lightbox-icon--global wpcp-lb-icon-style-default\" data-wpcp-lb-icon-source=\"global\" aria-label=\"Open image in lightbox\" data-thumb-src=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/153\/2025\/02\/Yosemite-e1569958530398-768x1024-1-225x300.jpg\" data-wpcp-lb-single=\"1\"><span class=\"wpcp-icon-container\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\"><path d=\"M17.6585 16.025L14.2437 12.6198C15.1716 11.3338 15.6121 9.7613 15.4871 8.1819C15.362 6.60251 14.6795 5.11847 13.5607 3.99351C12.936 3.36206 12.1916 2.86066 11.3709 2.51845C10.5502 2.17623 9.66952 2 8.77995 2C7.89039 2 7.00969 2.17623 6.18899 2.51845C5.36829 2.86066 4.62395 3.36206 3.99919 3.99351C3.36594 4.61649 2.86312 5.35871 2.51992 6.17708C2.17673 6.99545 2 7.87365 2 8.76068C2 9.64772 2.17673 10.5259 2.51992 11.3443C2.86312 12.1627 3.36594 12.9049 3.99919 13.5279C5.11957 14.6901 6.62279 15.4103 8.23285 15.5562C9.84291 15.7022 11.4517 15.2641 12.7639 14.3224L16.1788 17.7275C16.3849 17.9034 16.6473 18 16.9186 18C17.1899 18 17.4523 17.9034 17.6585 17.7275C18.1138 17.16 18.1138 16.5925 17.6585 16.025ZM5.59278 12.0523C5.16258 11.6298 4.82094 11.1263 4.58774 10.5709C4.35455 10.0156 4.23446 9.41951 4.23446 8.81744C4.23446 8.21536 4.35455 7.6193 4.58774 7.06394C4.82094 6.50859 5.16258 6.00503 5.59278 5.58257C6.01644 5.15359 6.52144 4.81292 7.07838 4.58039C7.63532 4.34786 8.23308 4.22811 8.83687 4.22811C9.44066 4.22811 10.0384 4.34786 10.5954 4.58039C11.1523 4.81292 11.6573 5.15359 12.081 5.58257C12.5112 6.00503 12.8528 6.50859 13.086 7.06394C13.3192 7.6193 13.4393 8.21536 13.4393 8.81744C13.4393 9.41951 13.3192 10.0156 13.086 10.5709C12.8528 11.1263 12.5112 11.6298 12.081 12.0523C11.6573 12.4813 11.1523 12.822 10.5954 13.0545C10.0384 13.287 9.44066 13.4068 8.83687 13.4068C8.23308 13.4068 7.63532 13.287 7.07838 13.0545C6.52144 12.822 6.01644 12.4813 5.59278 12.0523Z\" \/><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How was I first diagnosed with bronchiectasis?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">My GP referred me to a chest specialist and after a bronchoscopy and CT scan it was confirmed I had bronchiectasis. I was referred to the bronchiectasis clinic and now attend every six months. I hand in a sample as soon as I have an infection and the correct treatment can be given.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How do I feel about the treatment?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I did used to worry about the frequent use of antibiotics but don\u2019t now because there is really no point! I eat pro-biotic yoghurt to help my system recover each time I have a course of antibiotics. Only once did the antibiotics not work but the medics soon sorted me out with some that did.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is the effect on my day to day living?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I am a prisoner in the house during the winter months but this may be more to do with the asthma than the bronchiectasis. I have&nbsp; found indoor interests, for example filing photos and reading lots. I was also working full time but this became increasingly difficult to manage. I was often fatigued and there was also the stress of having bronchiectasis to deal with on top of the asthma. I cut my hours but even after six months this was making no difference to the frequency of infections. I am now medically retired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">More trouble came with &nbsp;my granddaughters attendance at nursery. I had a year of serious infections and eventually had &nbsp;a course of intravenous antibiotics which I did at home. This was after being trained by the wonderful respiratory nurses at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I have learnt that to stay hydrated, eat and exercise well are very important as is relaxing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The physiotherapist has shown me the proper way to clear my lungs and this helps to stop infections developing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It can be frustrating to have to cancel plans when I am not well so I try to be spontaneous which can be more fun. When I feel down about this disease I try to think about all I can do and focus on the things I can enjoy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I am \u201cwell\u201d as I write this and have also learnt to make the most of the days I am well. Fortunately for me antibiotics still work. I am nearly 60 now and enjoy life despite the bronchiectasis. It helps to know there is expertise on the doorstep. We are lucky in Edinburgh to have such an excellent bronchiectasis clinic.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>As added in 2019<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since writing the above 5 years ago and living the life of a retiree, I have had\u00a0 significantly fewer infections. This is probably in part due to no longer\u00a0 working\u00a0 in an office with 99 other people or coming into contact with the public so much. Furthermore, all the grandchildren are past nursery stage.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I work very&nbsp; hard at having a healthy lifestyle.&nbsp; This includes exercise, taking&nbsp; &nbsp;supplements and vitamins which I am convinced have helped eg Vit D, E, C , zinc and fish oil.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I only attend the respiratory clinic annually now and the past two checks have shown minimal deterioration in my lungs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So there is life after diagnosis! <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Background I am not sure where this story begins! I was brought up in a smoking household until the age of 9 then led a very healthy existence until I took up smoking at the age of 15. I smoked heavily for ten years and eventually gave up due to attacks of bronchitis. When I<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":856,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_gspb_post_css":"","_searchwp_excluded":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"class_list":["post-871","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"NHS Lothian","author_link":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/blog\/author\/nhs-lothian\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":false,"rttpg_excerpt":"Background I am not sure where this story begins! I was brought up in a smoking household until the age of 9 then led a very healthy existence until I took up smoking at the age of 15. I smoked heavily for ten years and eventually gave up due to attacks of bronchitis. When I","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/871","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=871"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/871\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":876,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/871\/revisions\/876"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/856"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=871"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=871"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}