Summary
2022 multiple specialist for diagnosis of productive cough
Result allergies and acid reflux
2023 no improvement changed PC doctor after another round of specialist
New NP cultured sputum (shocked it had not been done)
Positive for pseudomonas, treatment Cipro
Off and on for many months. Developed afib somewhere along the way.
ER again Labor Day weekend in afib after Cipro again. Begged to be
admitted for cough because X-ray show lung issues. Nope
Primary care doctor admitted day after holiday and that began my IV
Antibiotics adventure. Four days in and home with line to give at
Infusions at home. Treating pseudomonas still.
Iv line fails. This goes on for ? Total of 3 or 4 PICC lines. Had an allergic
To new iv med.
Infectious disease doc decided I probably have MAC. He orders meds
Big 3, but I have to go to a hospital 40 minutes away twice a day for
Arikaycin infusions. WHAT? How is that even doable?
Thought it over and had home care nurse pull my picc line and found
Another doctor at the University of Alabama. Thought I found a winner,
But turned out she had great intentions (said I was lucky the first one
didn’t kill me), but not experienced. Found out I had Absessus by then.
Ended up at the UAB (Birmingham). They have a 3 year old NT M
Clinic, yay!!! It’s a four hour drive, but so worth it. My CT had
Improved greatly and just an occasional cough. Doctor asked me what
I did to accomplish this. I told him essential oils! I told him about a
Study I had found (he seemed to acknowledge he had seen it) and I had
Been diffusing certain oils. SO I am in the watchful waiting group!! My
Culture a few months ago was negative. I have one in progress that has
Positive for pseudomonas. Pretty sure I’m colonized.
Next appointment 7/29. It will take a lot to get me back on meds. I lost
Over 25 lbs. and was very sick. unfortunately gained it all back plus a
Few. Sorry for the long summary. Best of luck.