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Mysterious shortness of breath: What has helped you?

Lung Health | Last Active: 4 days ago | Replies (3422)

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@champagirl1

That was good advice. I have Bronchiectasis w/
tree in bud. and MAI. The flutter valve has made the biggest difference in my life.
I took the big 3 antibiotic treatment for 1 year. Not sure how I stand on the MAI as the Pandemic hit
and I'm hesitant to have another bronchoscopy at the present time. Sputum samples taken to any of the labs
are iffy.

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Replies to "That was good advice. I have Bronchiectasis w/ tree in bud. and MAI. The flutter valve..."

Hi @champagirl1 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I encourage you to join the discussions in the MAC/MAI & Bronchiectasis group. Click here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/mac-bronchiectasis/

Caution - I am going on my soapbox here for a moment. I know a lot of people have delayed seeking medical care or tests since the pandemic hit over a year ago.

Please hear my story - I have visited the following doctors and specialists in person since last May: primary, ortho, dentist, pulmonology, pain management, bone density, ophthalmology, PT and OT. I have had physical exams, CT scans, xrays, 2 surgeries, extensive hands-on therapy and batteries of tests. My husband has seen primary, rheumatology, allergy, opthalmology and chiropractor. He had cataract surgery. We both have had massages. None of these - over 60 visits total, led to any illness at all.

PLEASE contact your providers directly and ask about their precautions, then get your medical care done. My daughter is a tele-health nurse for a large clinic/hospital system. They are seeing far more serious illness now from delayed medical care than risk of Covid infection from seeking medical care. If you don't want to be "in a roomful of people" waiting for care, arrange for the first appointment of the day, and ask to be roomed immediately on arrival.

Off my soapbox now. And just a question - have you tried a saline-induced sputum sample? My pulmonology nurse has me neb with 10% (yes!) saline for 2-3 minutes - the irritation produces copious amounts of mucus. I do this in the AM for 3 days, saving the samples in the refrigerator, and have always been able to produce enough for a good sample.
Sue