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New sputum results. Have to make a decision.

MAC & Bronchiectasis | Last Active: Jul 9, 2022 | Replies (10)
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@fdixon63

Thanks Terri for responding. This is a phase of treatment that is new to me so all info is appreciated. Am anxious to hear back from my doc today to see what he feels is best route to go--all things considered. When you say you test negative for 3 years, is that from sputum you coughed up or do they have to test with bronchoscopy? Here is probably a silly question but sometimes when I cough up something it is unexpected and sputum goes on a napkin or Kleenex. Can that be submitted or does it have to be spit from my mouth into a specimen container? Again, thanks. Faye

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Replies to "Thanks Terri for responding. This is a phase of treatment that is new to me so..."
Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor | @windwalker | Sep 19, 2019

@fdixon63 Yes, my sputem is collected at the dr's office into a sample container that I spit into. You can collect it at home if you have a sterile container to spit into. (you will need a deep down coughed up sample) If you cannot produce that, you can do an inhaled saline induced treatment that will force it up.It will have to be kept refrigerated until you take it to turn into for lab work. My Mayo doc doesn't like to use the Big 3 right off the bat until he has tried lighter treatments like mine. Then, if that doesn't clear the infection, he will use the Big 3. Since you are not very ill with it, that may be a good option for you. Do you also have bronchiectasis? If so, infections will most likely re-occur without continuous maintenance drugs. That is my case anyway, although there are other members on our site that have a stronger immune system than me and are doing alright so far using alternative medicine or none at all. For some people, the infection goes away on it's own. I have a feeling those people are not the ones that get sick enough to seek out this site. Treating MAC is not a 'One Size Fits All' thing. It must be customized surrounding your susceptibility results, specie of mac, and colony numbers. Will you report back and let me know what your dr thinks?

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