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Bamaqueen. Hi. Wow, you've been going through a lot.
I have been dealing with pulmonary issues for five years now -- Bronchiectasis, Pseudomonas, MAC and now M. abscessus. I could not take the Big 3 but once had a PICC line and did several rounds of Tobramycin. I too had COVID and was an inpatient for 8 days. Not on any medications now for about six months. The doctor is going with the "watch and wait" program. I nebulize the 3% and 7% Sodium Chloride twice a day. He will start treatment based on my condition, i.e. appetite, fatigue, any shortness of breath, night sweats. Question: You're having a CT this week? Surely it is not your first. Interesting that was ordered by your primary care doc. I have changed doctors twice. Once because the first pulmonary doc did not have the expertise needed and finally said, "I don't think I can help you." He never offered to do a referral or anything. I found a doc in Atlanta (3 1/2 hrs away) who was great. After a couple of years I had him refer me to B'ham (1 1/2 hrs away). I still wear a mask in certain situations and try to be careful. COVID is around again and I just feel that one more viral or bacterial lung problem may be all I can fight off. Anyway, I just wanted to respond as I saw a lot of similarities between your bio and mine. Blessings.
Faye
Replies to "Bamaqueen. Hi. Wow, you've been going through a lot. I have been dealing with pulmonary issues..."
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Thank you for reaching out! Yes, a lot and I left out my 5 vertebral compression fractures last year along with trying to take care of my 99 year old mother who passed in April! It’s been a challenge.
Why my primary care? Because I don’t really have a pulmonary doctor. The one I had an appointment with at USA on July 2 left them on June 28! I haven’t heard from the infectious disease doctor, so I’m doing my own research and care plan! I do have a home health care nurse also. My primary agreed to order whatever I wanted, so I’m having a CT of my lungs, thoracic and lumbar spine. I was in the ER with afib (yes, just another issue) when they first told me I had pneumonia. Initially disregarded by my then pulmonologist as being pseudomonas they were seeing. Definitely not my first CT, more my like fourth? Last one was October.
I am considering UAB. I qualify having had two positive cultures. Do you see Dr. Garcia? It’s a long 3 hour drive, but doable.
At least your doctor was smart enough to know he couldn’t help you! I think my first one who is well respected around here, just does textbook prescribing. The second doctor I went to said I was lucky he didn’t kill me! And then she orders a med (Arikayce) not really knowing how to even order it!
Watchful waiting is what I’m doing and looking for with more guidance once I get my CT.
Thanks again! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 for us all!