← Return to 1st appointment w/doc tomorrow. Any "must ask" questions ?

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Profile picture for becleartoday @becleartoday

These are all excellent suggestions. I would also recommend asking about a standing order for sputum analysis, so you can bring in samples quarterly to be tested for common respiratory bacteria, fungi, and mycobacteria. This can help identify changes early and guide appropriate treatment.

It’s also worth asking whether they plan to test for any underlying conditions, such as cystic fibrosis gene mutations, primary ciliary dyskinesia, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, immunodeficiencies, or autoimmune diseases.

Additionally, make sure you understand how and when to contact the doctor’s office—especially if you notice signs of a flare-up or experience hemoptysis.

Wishing you the best at your appointment! Let us know how it goes and if you like the doctor.
Warmly,
Linda Esposito

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Replies to "These are all excellent suggestions. I would also recommend asking about a standing order for sputum..."

I am still not sure about different types of sputum tests and at different labs etc. When I first gave my samples I always assumed it was testing for basically everything (other than MAC which I know takes 3 samples and a long time). But learned later on it was not testing specifically for Pseudomonas. When that test was finally done (at my suggestion!) it turned up very positive. Had it been caught earlier could have made a huge difference. So you might ask about testing for that as well to cover all your bases.