Jan, I would ask what they specifically tested you for that came back negative. You may have something that wasn't on the test request. It could also be an ordinary infection of sorts. Even those can turn into worse conditions inviting the bad bugs back (MAC & pseudomonas) My drs have always put me on antibiotics when I get a lung infection of any kind. When you have bronchiecstasis; even a common cold can morph into pneumonia because our lungs are diseased and weakened.

I don't understand everything that is written on the script for the sputum testing. It has been the same lab for the last two years and it's been only the last four tests that have been negative for bacteria. Prior to that there was MRSA a few times, MSSA on other occasions and pseudomonas once. The pseudomonas were treated with cipro and didn't show up again after that. MAC was just a tiny bit at Mayo's and the pulmonologists working with me there made a consensus opinion that it wasn't enough that they wanted to do the 3-antibiotic therapy. We continued to do sputum testing and after about three months, it hasn't shown since then. I know tobrymacin (sp) is one of the drugs that will be used if I slip backwards at all. So far, I guess I'm okay. They told me upfront it is chronic and that they cannot cure it but they felt they could manage it. So, their regimen at this point has been treating with the antibiotics shown to be effective on whatever bacteria shows in the tests. When the negative tests occur, we still do 10 days of an antibiotic and that so far as kept me going. I'll be clear for 3-5 weeks after that. Yes, I was told upfront that I would easily contract peumonia but it will be three years this fall...... and I have been blessed and haven't been ill.

I have met a lady in Colorado Springs (retired schoolteacher) who uses National Jewish and feels that are by far the best place to be. She was diagnosed about 15 years ago and she does bronchoscopies usually once monthly. She is unable to cough up the mucus plugs and they do that to test for bacteria versus the sputum testing because she can't get a sample that way. She also uses the specialized vest to help her be able to cough. I can cough it up very easily so I haven't needed to do some of the things she does to give a sample. She had pseudomonas at one time also.

I'm sorry I can't give you more specifics on the tests I do but I know nothing more than what they tell me. Thanks so much for caring. Jan

How often do your doctors test your sputum? Is it on a regular basis or only when you feel sick? robynmar

I get checked every six months. They just moved it to 1 yr because I have
been doing so well. If I get an infection before then, I will go in for testing.
But I am on maintenance antibiotics for the rest of my life to try to prevent
infections from re-occurring. I am still waiting for results from my last dr
visit. It takes awhile to grow the MAC and pseudomonas. So, we will see if I am
clean now.
 

I just have it tested when I start to cough...... no definite timeline. Does it make sense to you that I stop coughing for basically a month after 10 days of antibiotics -- but still have mac or pseudomonas???? If that were the case, why would the coughing cease? As you can tell, I don't know much

@auntnanny, Jan, you seem very comfortable with Dr Moua at Mayo .. but you do seem very concerned. Each of us has the right to a second opinion to feel serene .. you said: " lady in Colorado Springs (retired schoolteacher) who uses National Jewish and feels that are by far the best place to be." If you feel the need for a good second opinion NJH is an excellent place to get it. Hugs to you! Katherine

From my File Cabinet:
JEWISH NATIONAL HEALTH https://www.nationaljewish.org/treatment-programs/directory/ntm
Member @128128terry11t, Q National Jewish: how long (approximately) does it take to get in once you have sent the records and the sputum sample? A I believe that once they check your insurance and make certain that all is okay, it was about 5 weeks or so for me. If your schedule is flexible, you could ask that if they have a cancellation to let you know and you might be able to get in sooner. Don't be afraid to call them and ask that question; they are extremely kind and professional. I really like my Dr. Drummond.

FINANCIAL You will have an excellent experience please call the number on the site to see if you financially could go to NJH......for the first 50 years of their existence....1898 til 1958 they did not charge clients..I am on Medicare....they accepted it fully....3 months after my trip....l have yet to see a bill....they have a separate person who works out the financial part of the visit prior. I know it sounds too good to be true....but it is there to help people. l beg you to contact them to check

From member @tdrell, Terri : At National Jewish Health last week, all I did was show my Medicare card then my supplement card......no other mention of $/payments. I could focus my energy on the rigorous tests without worry about paying for pricey tests....especially as they were added.

Member @beatitnow ..my doctor is Dr. Castro at Barnes Jewish Hospital. The phone number is 314-454-8917

Thank you for writing. I felt comfortable with Dr. Moua and Mayo's; however, after reading many articles here on this site, I guess it has me wondering if I'm diagnosed correctly. I have no special reasons to doubt and thought I was doing okay, but perhaps since my sputum tests are coming back negative.......... maybe something is wrong with the testing. It is the same lab that did the test that showed pseudomonas a few months ago --- but has not shown that since. I surely hope they aren't missing that. I'll start coughing again within a few weeks and perhaps I should go to another lab just to be sure that the one in Tulsa is not missing something. Do any others following this site have negative tests but still have flares of coughing? I originally thought if I was having a flare that there was some type bacteria causing it. Now, after four sessions and nothing found....... I believe that is why I feel somewhat worried. Perhaps others have same and have negative reports and I would love to hear from anyone if so. Thanks again for keeping up with me (of course I'm old and slow, so I don't move very quickly. My last conversation with Dr. Moua (after 4th tests) was left that I would contact him immediately if anything is found on future tests.

@auntnanny, Jan, REMEMBER .. we are ALL about "Due Diligence" .. of COURSE you should seek out a "second opinion" about a lab! Call the best hospital in town and ask WHERE do THEY send their lab work? Don't take no for an answer .. be persistent! Ask around .. you have to be your OWN best advocate Girlfriend! When you have FOUND the lab you want to go to .. you THEN have to contact your doctor to have him send the ORDER to that PARTICULAR LAB. Go for it! Hugs! Katherinne

Katherine ----- I'm 2 hours from Tulsa (and the closest hospital is 30 minutes away. They send all their lab work to the lab in Tulsa. So..... there's really no choice within 100 miles of here. Tulsa is a large lab and all the rural areas send to them. My husband drives my sample down there as soon as I collect it or -- there is transportation from one of the smaller hospitals that drives their lab work to Tulsa at a certain time each day. I can catch that transportation some of the time.

@auntnanny Jan,
ask if they tested you for pseudomonas. We cannot ASSUME that all of the
organisms are being tested for. I have a sneaking feeling that I wasn't tested
four yrs ago and had it all along. When it was caught in 2016 and treated, ALL
of my coughing went away.