Can anyone give me tips on collecting a sputum sample for culture

@laneyk I got my first one at NJH and I thought it was about $80? Unfortunately, I melted it using a micro steam bag when sterilizing. I added minutes without adding extra water-big mistake. Allied medical sells the Aeroclipse set which is just a nebulizer. When I went to NJH they wanted me to use the entire Aerobika OPEP with the manometer. This has a built-in flutter mechanism and the manometer measures exhale-for optimum use. After melting it, I purchased another from Allied Medical (can google). I also purchased an OMBRA compressor. I liked the OMBRA since the tubing can be changed along with tiny filters. My first compressor was a cheap rental (few bucks per month), the tubing was not changeable, and it had no filter. Good luck and let me know if you have any additional questions.

@westcottkm3040 As @reneemc said, it's true that hot showers are a source of MAC. I believe that is where I may have gotten my MAC. If you want to be safe, you might want to look into getting a filter for your shower. Companies like Safe Water and others sell these. In lieu of that, you can make sure you have a shower head that does not aerosolize or spray a fine mist. The holes should be as big as possible. That can help but not completely eliminate MAC. One thing that I also did was turn my water heater up to at least 130 degrees as suggested by Dr. Falkinham, a prominent MAC researcher. His articles are referenced in other posts on this site.

@sharonednaramsey Thanks for your reply. I do not use nebulizers at all. I have just the puff albuterol. I also have a flutter devise that has never helped at all. I have used mucinex but not in trying to get sputum. I will try to use all of the things I have and see if that helps as I have never done before and see what happens. Thanks
Elaine K

@kathyjjb I have one that was given to me in a previous hospitalization in Dec 23 which was when my PH was found. My SOB at that time was attributed to that. I suspect the MAC was partly to blame as well. But not suspected to have returned. It’s so confusing when a person has more than one disease with same symptoms. This time I tqhink the MAC came to mind when my white blood cells were elevated and I had no fever and I was having a flare with extremely SOB. My chest x-ray showed a pneumonia that was later believed to be MAC and sputum culture had had an early response. I’ve not heard from the delayed result yet. Dr. appt Wednesday.

@laneyk You could try NAC as well. It thins out the mucus and many people on this site use it. I use 600 mg a day, taken after breakfast.

Some find a warm drink of tea and of course drinking enough water is typically a must.

Postural drainage can help too if you haven’t tried it. Use gravity to help drain the mucus so you can cough it up.

You said MAC has returned. Depending on where the Bronchiectasis is located in your lungs (if you have this) , you may find lying on your back with a pillow under your hips helps. Or lie on your side with your arm raised up.

Use breathing techniques (that are discussed in other threads of conversation on this site) to lead into a huff cough to dislodge the mucus.

You can also find videos on YouTube and on this site that are helpful.

Hope it helps.

@jnmy Thanks for your response. I don’t know where it showed on chest x-ray other than left lung. Last time it was right upper lobe. I was in hospital when chest X-ray and CT were done and did not get to see images. Those sound like excellent things to try.

@westcottkm3040 As @reneemc said, it's true that hot showers are a source of MAC. I believe that is where I may have gotten my MAC. If you want to be safe, you might want to look into getting a filter for your shower. Companies like Safe Water and others sell these. In lieu of that, you can make sure you have a shower head that does not aerosolize or spray a fine mist. The holes should be as big as possible. That can help but not completely eliminate MAC. One thing that I also did was turn my water heater up to at least 130 degrees as suggested by Dr. Falkinham, a prominent MAC researcher. His articles are referenced in other posts on this site.

@linda1334 I use the Weddell shower filters. The results are visible.

@jnmy Thanks for your response. I don’t know where it showed on chest x-ray other than left lung. Last time it was right upper lobe. I was in hospital when chest X-ray and CT were done and did not get to see images. Those sound like excellent things to try.