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Should 4+ Pseudomonas be treated?

MAC & Bronchiectasis | Last Active: Jun 24 7:41am | Replies (115)
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@rits

Thanks egayle. I have been doing some form of sputum treatment and airway clearance for 10 years. I'm sick of it but I know I need to do it. While I have always had a great deal of sputum, it has been manageable and I currently have no problem bringing up sputum. Actually, it's the opposite. It comes up all day long, only stopping if I sit or lie down. Because I've never had anywhere near this much or so many thick globs, I think it is from the pseudomonas because excess, thick unmanageable sputum is the first symptom listed..

Sue and I think one or two other members responded to a previous message I posted which was moved to a different group. I plan to ask to be put on an antibiotic for it. I guess I'm hoping someone who hsd been treated for it will say. "Go for it." or "No
Don't do it."

Thanks for reading and responding.

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Replies to "Thanks egayle. I have been doing some form of sputum treatment and airway clearance for 10..."
auntnanny | @auntnanny | Jan 5, 2021

rits.... I don't know if this will be helpful but I've had pseudomonas consistently for a few years. Could not tolerate the toby and there seemed to be nothing else. A pulmonologist in Tulsa put me on azithromicin 3 times weekly and surprisingly, the phlegm production (which was always heavy and green) has decreased at least 90%. I've been on this for about six months. Mayo pulmonologist would rather I not take it because it may be needed for MAC at some point. But I just keep hanging on. It's absolutely wonderful to not be coughing and producing green stuff all day long. I do saline, albuterol, buesomide (sp) performist, and yupalri through the nebulizer daily. Takes at least 90 minutes to do that and like you -- I hate it..... but this program (for the time being) has virtually stopped the coughing and production and it's the best I've felt in years. Just saying........ (of course it can change at any time).

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Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jan 5, 2021

@rits - This is a tough question.

I know when I had pseudomonas, the sputum production was copious - worse than any other pneumonia I ever had. Mine was treated with levaquin, azithromycin, something else, and finally inhaled Tobramycin to kick it. Then I spent over 1 1/2 years on the Big 3, and it hasn't been back. We were at the doc this AM and I told him my lungs felt "juicy" but he said they sounded ok. I admit I haven't nebbed yet today, so I'll do it after lunch.

But based on how you are feeling, it is probably time for you "bite the bullet" and go for a CT scan. We have had good luck going to the local imaging center instead of the hospital - their precautions were superb. Seeing how your lungs look will help your doc make the best decision!
Sue

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