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Third sputum culture rejected - frustrating

Posted by Jen_b @jenblalock, Nov 15, 2017

Arrrgh! Got my sputum culture results back again and once again it's unacceptable! I can't seem to cough up anything that they can culture. Maybe that means there is nothing there so that would be good. It's just frustrating because I haven't felt great lately and would like a culture at least cooking. At this point in my recovery (have been off MAC meds since April) I am supposed to submit one every 6 months. Not sure if I should just let it go at this point or request an order for another one be submitted. I should note that I was diagnosed with a bronchoscopy and since then all of my sputum cultures have been negative. - Jen

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Jen_b | @jenblalock | Nov 28, 2017
In reply to @windwalker "@jenblalock, I hear you, the inhalers didn't seem to help me much either. The corticosteroids. I..." + (show)
@windwalker

@jenblalock, I hear you, the inhalers didn't seem to help me much either. The corticosteroids. I mentioned that to my dr., he said I wouldn't be able to feel the difference, but that it helps with iflammation. I still don't use it, more out of bad habit than being obstinate. My dr has me nebulizing the saline twice a day. Some people do three. One thing it does is add moisture to the phlegm so that it is thinner and easier to get up. For a long while, it didn't irritate me into a wet cough, but now it does. Don't give up! Perhaps try twice a day. I pull double duty; I nebulize while mentoring this site. I too have been taking long walks, at least once a day. Today, I did two. Hope you are feeling better soon!

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Hi @heathert She did not say. She probably wouldn't know without seeing me. My cavities haven't closed up. I have one that is liquid filled and one that is air filled. They haven't changed much in size and one may have gotten smaller. And then I have some bronchiectasis. The thing is I was feeling very good until about a month ago and then I started feeling not so great in the afternoons and developed some coughing. My local pulmonologist's PA called today and scheduled a virus swab (I know I don't have a virus because I haven't felt well for a month, but just to rule it out), a chest xray and we are going to TRY to get a sputum sample again. At least the chest x-ray might tell me something. Maybe it's just the time of year. If I didn't have this stupid lung disease I wouldn't worry so much about it. Plus I don't like not feeling well. How are you faring?

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Jo Ann K | @jkiemen | Nov 28, 2017

I agree, this is a stupid lung disease. One that we should have better treatment options for. I hope the Nitric Oxide study goes so well it gets moved to a fast track.. I could have tried the study if I could cough something up but nothing comes up and that is what they needed.

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Jen_b | @jenblalock | Dec 3, 2017

FOURTH sputum culture rejected. I give up.

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1 reply
Barbara Ann | @bschaper2 | Dec 3, 2017
In reply to @jenblalock "FOURTH sputum culture rejected. I give up." + (show)
@jenblalock

FOURTH sputum culture rejected. I give up.

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@jenblalock you are not alone, 3 so far in 4 months rejected here, just did another one, wish me luck

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heathert | @heathert | Dec 3, 2017
In reply to @windwalker "@jenblalock, I hear you, the inhalers didn't seem to help me much either. The corticosteroids. I..." + (show)
@windwalker

@jenblalock, I hear you, the inhalers didn't seem to help me much either. The corticosteroids. I mentioned that to my dr., he said I wouldn't be able to feel the difference, but that it helps with iflammation. I still don't use it, more out of bad habit than being obstinate. My dr has me nebulizing the saline twice a day. Some people do three. One thing it does is add moisture to the phlegm so that it is thinner and easier to get up. For a long while, it didn't irritate me into a wet cough, but now it does. Don't give up! Perhaps try twice a day. I pull double duty; I nebulize while mentoring this site. I too have been taking long walks, at least once a day. Today, I did two. Hope you are feeling better soon!

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Oh @jenblablock, you need some answers. Let me know how the x-ray goes, maby they need to do a bronch to get the answers. its hard when we dont produce sputum. I know all about the worry too, just horrible.
Wow so your cavities havnt closed but the bugs were dormant or gone, such a complicated disease.
Take care
Heather

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Mentor
Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor | @windwalker | Dec 6, 2017
In reply to @mschmidt2 "I was diagnosed with Mac/Bronchiectasis in 2015. I am also a 17 Year Post Liver Transplant..." + (show)
@mschmidt2

I was diagnosed with Mac/Bronchiectasis in 2015. I am also a 17 Year Post Liver Transplant Recipient. My current CT scan was not good and I have been coughing for 4 weeks. I too am hard time bringing up enough sputum to sample. I’m nervous about 3 medications at one time and or the Bronchial Wash. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

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@mschmidt2 Hi there!Thinking of you and hoping you got good news from your Dec. 1 appointment.

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mschmidt2 | @mschmidt2 | Dec 6, 2017
In reply to @mschmidt2 "I was diagnosed with Mac/Bronchiectasis in 2015. I am also a 17 Year Post Liver Transplant..." + (show)
@mschmidt2

I was diagnosed with Mac/Bronchiectasis in 2015. I am also a 17 Year Post Liver Transplant Recipient. My current CT scan was not good and I have been coughing for 4 weeks. I too am hard time bringing up enough sputum to sample. I’m nervous about 3 medications at one time and or the Bronchial Wash. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

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My lungs were doing better, then we got a sudden cold spell. Not helping. My sinuses do not want to clear up.
My MAC is Dormitory right now-Yay! I did have staph infection in my lungs and that too is on it’s way out.
I appreciate the follow up. It’s nice to know there are others going through what I’m going through. Thank you

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