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Help understanding culture results
MAC & Bronchiectasis | Last Active: May 1 2:35pm | Replies (18)Comment receiving replies
Sue’s detailed explanations are incredibly helpful and thought-provoking!!
I brought in 3 samples when I was initially diagnosed with bronchiectasis to determine whether I had any culturable bugs. Now, quarterly, I try to bring in a sample because sometimes we can have something going on and might not have any symptoms. Another scenario is that not all lung bacteria are culturable. For example, the mouth has over 700 bacteria and many of these commensals end up in the lungs. They are identified through high-level genetic testing like the research done in Dr. Leo Segal’s lab at NYU Langone.
Two years ago, I was producing a bit more sputum on a regular basis. I was patting myself on the back for doing excellent airway clearance. This went on for a while and I submitted a couple of samples over time and nothing grew. BUT, about 8 months into this period, I went for my routine pulmonary appointment and I cultured haemophilus. My doctor and I discussed it and I asked to submit a sample again before taking antibiotics. It grew again and I took antibiotics. By the third day of taking the medication, practically all mucus disappeared and unless I have a cold that is now my norm (yes, I continue with daily airway clearance:)).
So, why all this detail? Because it is possible that the antibiotic killed another bug or bugs that were causing the mucus and were unidentified through culture. I don’t think it was the haemophilus because right along I was not growing it.
I discussed this theory with Dr Segal at the World Bronchiectasis Conference and he said it was plausible. Jokingly, I offered him a sputum sample and he said that he would have needed samples over a longer period of time to know what was truly going on. This is where lung health is headed. Knowing an individual’s microbiomes - skin, mouth, lungs and gut - and when for that person there is dysbiosis (the type and quantity of bugs are off) and fixing it! Precision medicine at its best.
Happy Sunday,
Linda Esposito
Replies to "Sue’s detailed explanations are incredibly helpful and thought-provoking!! I brought in 3 samples when I was..."
Thanks for sharing Linda, this is an incredibly interesting presentation. I’ve also learned that we can assist our natural microbiomes by reducing refined sugar intake since the bad bugs (& cancer) love it so much. Also, adding pre & probiotics may help limit or curtail exacerbations. Happy Spring!
Linda,
I put this to the wrong person this past month in another area so reposting here where I found you. In your post elsewhere you mentioned stress, I agree, need to reduce stress to keep the immune system healthy and up.
STRESS: As we all know, in certain circumstances, reducing that stress for many is nearly, sometimes, impossible.... but it must be reduced. How women with children, especially young children and other family members that require their care and attention..... let alone their own, I believe causes much stress if they are not able to find ways or help themselves reduce it. (P.S. Bronchiectasis affects more women from what I have read, if that is correct?)
MY STORY: My belief is that stress, unrelenting stress for a good period of time, (which can and does lower ones immune system) greatly contributes to developing an infection with or without Bronchiectasis and was one of the main causes for my full blown Bronchictasis as well as a change in how and what I was eating during that period of stress, poor diet during an extremely stressful period, and then the straw that broke the camels back.....blowing dry leaves and soil away from the house foundation and not knowing to wear a mask.
QUESTIONS: If you have time to reply. Thanks
Are you a trainer of some sorts? Like weight/strength trainer etc.?
Was there a specific type of diet you followed, follow?
Have you had a MAC/MAI flare-up and have taken medications for MAC/MAI?
Have you been told you have Acid Reflux?
I ask due to how well it appears you have managed your health (BE etc.) to be able to travel as you have done?
Thank you for all your informative posts.
Barbara
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Thank you for your post. More good information from you....THANKS.
It relates to many of my thoughts about what is or is not possibly going on with me and my present condition, the BE and the constant sputum I am constantly bringing up. I nearly fill an entire solo cup of this foamy, white, bubbly sputum, mucus by the end of the day. Surprisingly I have been able to sleep most nights but do have to clear my throat when I wake up in the middle of night to visit the bathroom. The clearing of my "throat" and sputum can take a while to do before I can fall back to sleep. My two things I know will make everything worse.....not enough sleep and inability to eat...and as well building back the BMIndex. I am hoping the liquid guaifenesin I have begun taking will help with this problem of the thick sputum, 'mucus' in my throat. Waiting on a one sputum vile result sent in, in February to Tyler. My answer below should have gone directly to gbooth54 to answer her question to me, I errored. 😁