Does anyone have any tricks to produce a sputum sample?

Posted by jmr69 @jmr69, 3 days ago

Does anyone know of any methods or tricks to produce a sputum sample? I cannot produce one. I have talked to the respiratory therapists, and they did not give me any advice.

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Profile picture for desertdwellerjh @desertdwellerjh

I too never was quite able to produce anything but never asked why that might be so. However, I learned, thanks to needing to buy a new compressor and special Pari nebulizer cup for the Tobramycin i was prescribed earlier this year for 28 days, that apparently — my guess anyway given the info leaflet describing what needed to be happening that arrived with the Tobramycin —, the previous compressor and cup were for me anyway, was not providing small enough particles and enough pressure out of the cup of the 7% saline during the session to work. Once I continued using the PARI ProNeb Max and the PARI cup just for the 7% saline, I began to produce lots of mucous using the breathing technique followed by the huffing and coughing. When I have completed the session I feel better too and sleep well.

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@desertdwellerjh
This is very helpful. Thanks for sharing. Do you need a prescription for the Pari Neb and cup?

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Profile picture for kaybast @kaybast

@desertdwellerjh were you able to totally eradicate Pseudomonas?
I’ve had it for 2 years with several infections over time a treated with IV antibiotics ..I brought up a sputum from the lungs and the lab report showed Pseudomonas colonized …however no infections so no treatments .
My ENT Dr now has me on antibiotic rinses for my sinuses cuz that’s normally where an infections shows up .
I’m encouraged to hear that there is a possibility of eradication of Psuedomonas !!! Thanks for your comments. .

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@kaybast
My latest copious first thing in the morning before eating anything sputum sample was negative for pseudomonas. I have been warned that it’s a tough one to eradicate so I am not sitting back and relaxing but rather continuing to go full bore with 7% saline nebulizing once a day since I do still have MAC and BE so feel vulnerable. The Tobramycin treatment program of nebulizing twice a day for 28 days first with 7% saline and then Tobramycin was brutal and exhausting for me (I am 81) so hopefully it was brutal and exhausting for the pseudomonas too!!

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