CT reports progressive bronchiectasis: Help me understand

Posted by beatrixflower @beatrixflower, Jun 1, 2021

Hello, I just received my first CT report with a new doctor that I feel much more happy with. They labeled my recent CT as progressive bronchiectasis. And said it has progressed quite a bit since 2017. Is that normal or should I be anxious? My old doctors said I was assymptomatic and so did not need to be treated. But then why did it progress? Thank you!

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Hi, I have one more question. My CT report said this:
adjacent chronic inflammation and/or fibrosis
Has anyone else seen this on their reports and what do they do to help with it?
I will have a follow up appt with my doctor but I find this group to such a wealth of knowledge for the practical things I can do. I have begun Curcurmin after reading about it on this group. But is there a protocal for dealing with inflammation? Thank you!

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@beatrixflower

Hi, I have one more question. My CT report said this:
adjacent chronic inflammation and/or fibrosis
Has anyone else seen this on their reports and what do they do to help with it?
I will have a follow up appt with my doctor but I find this group to such a wealth of knowledge for the practical things I can do. I have begun Curcurmin after reading about it on this group. But is there a protocal for dealing with inflammation? Thank you!

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Hi Beatrix, great that you found a new doctor in whom you have confidence. Unravelling the details of a CT scan report can be challenging. You're asking the right questions. You'll noticed that I moved both your messages into one discussion, so members like @sueinmn @heathert @irene5 @megan123 @ling123 @ckscoville @jenblalock @tdrell @anniepie and others can weigh in with their thoughts and experiences.

Beatrix, do you have an appointment scheduled with your doctor to review the CT report?

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@colleenyoung

Hi Beatrix, great that you found a new doctor in whom you have confidence. Unravelling the details of a CT scan report can be challenging. You're asking the right questions. You'll noticed that I moved both your messages into one discussion, so members like @sueinmn @heathert @irene5 @megan123 @ling123 @ckscoville @jenblalock @tdrell @anniepie and others can weigh in with their thoughts and experiences.

Beatrix, do you have an appointment scheduled with your doctor to review the CT report?

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Thanks, Colleen! Yes, I have an appt in 3 weeks to go over the results.

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@beatrixflower

Hi, I have one more question. My CT report said this:
adjacent chronic inflammation and/or fibrosis
Has anyone else seen this on their reports and what do they do to help with it?
I will have a follow up appt with my doctor but I find this group to such a wealth of knowledge for the practical things I can do. I have begun Curcurmin after reading about it on this group. But is there a protocal for dealing with inflammation? Thank you!

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@beatrixflower...Hi there..I know when you first get results from a CT Scan, sometimes it’s all so scarey..a follow up appt to go over the results might alleviate some anxiety, so you understand why this is happening..I had this happen as well, at first until I gained more knowledge as to how to stop the progression..ie good AC practices, aerobika, 7 percent saline x 2 a day, exercise etc..hang in there💕

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@beatrixflower I have some scaring from healed cavities etc, I think that can be called fibrosis also. I also think inflamation is common with us MAC\ Bronch people. Take care Heather

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The matter of whether or not to treatis actually a two part question.

Having Bronchiectasis means most people need airway clearance to keep mucus from building up and allowing infections like MAC to take hold. This can be as simple as a vibratory device like Aerobika followed by huff coughing to bring it up, to nebbing saline alone or in combination with other drugs, to use of a percussion vest.

If infection takes hold - often indicated by fatigue, fever, weight loss and chronic cough - more drastic action may be required. First it is very important to have a sputum sample tested, using a culture that takes up to 6 or 7 weeks, to identify the specific bacteria and what drug(s) it responds to.

These are the things your pulmonologist will discuss with you. CT scan results need knowledgeable interpretation and explanation. The raw reports still scare the heck out of me.

Good luck and let us know what you learn at your appointment.
Sue

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@Beatrix flower.....our mentor Sue has given...along with other replies....excellent advice. Be sure to bring list of questions with to appt. @Terridrell44

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Thank you, everyone! I will try to be patient while I wait for my follow up! đŸ™‚

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@tdrell

@Beatrix flower.....our mentor Sue has given...along with other replies....excellent advice. Be sure to bring list of questions with to appt. @Terridrell44

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I agree wholeheartedly. Arm yourself with your own research and questions. I recently had a routine Chest CT and, aside from the worsening Bronchiectasis (which I had already sensed), the CT also showed significant calcification of my coronary arteries. Since I had recently experienced more chest pains, I asked my pulmonary doctor at Mayo for a referral to a cardiologist, which he did. Long story short, after a heart catheterization 9 days ago, he found that my main coronary artery had a serious blockage and put in a stent. Wouldn't have found it had I not pursued things on my own....

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Sorry to hear about the bronchiectasis worsening and the blockage in you coronary artery. You’re so right about doing your own research and pursing things on your own! Hope you have recovered and are feeling well now.

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