Sputum tests: Problems producing enough sputum

It works well for me. I used the Neti Pot for several years but once I tried the Air I will not go back.

Thank you very much. Very helpful

My Mac/Bronch specialist is 45 minutes from me. Two months ago when a sputum sample was needed just to confirm my absence of coughing was good news, dr suggested I deliver the sample I would collect at home to a hospital lab near me instead of driving all the way back to her lab. I had the sterile cup, the hazardous material bag to put it in. The morning I spit all that sputum into the cup, I followed all directions, had a big deep-from-my-lungs sample, delivered it, refrigerated, within the hour. I waited 6 weeks, knowing it can take 5 weeks for Mac to grow. Report came back sample bad, was not processed. Aaaaaarghhhh! So now this Friday I will deliver a new sample to my doctor’s lab. Question:: any advice on getting up a deep good sample? I nebulize 7% twice a day. If I skip nebbing night before might that help?

Hi Woot, I moved your question about how to get a deep good sputum sample to this existing discussion. I think you'll find the advice shared by fellow members like @tinaesims @fdixon63 @dulwich @rits @poodledoc @beatrixflower @margiebanks @windwalker @toni1132 @judyhodgern very helpful.

You may also be interested in this related discussion by @rits:
- Problems with mailed samples and pseudomonas https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/problems-with-mailed-samples-and-psuedomonas/

So frustrating that you had to wait so long only to discover that the sample wasn't viable.

Tina, I am in the same boat. I also cannot produce sputum sample…keep trying though. Your Forum Friends are generously giving you good advice…timing, exercises, teas, etc…all good aids. However, there is a select group of us who just cannot bring the stuff up no matter how much we exhaust ourselves trying. Don’t despair, the good pulmonologist/ID doctors understand…it’s not our fault. Having said that, do keep trying. I do use the Aerobika w 7%saline daily, drink plenty of teas daily, almost a gallon of water (seriously), exercise etc…
NJH even attempted with fabulous respiratory therapist for over a week…my doctors have resorted to CAT scans every 6 months and depending on what those show, a Bronchoscopy once a year.
Keep faith and stay safe.
Regina

Wow, these are all more than I ever would have thought of. Thanks, Bill!
Woot

But would samples from sinuses show Mac?

@woot That post was over a year ago, I would now add while doing the postural drainage lye flat on your back with hips elevated (I use an under mattress wedge for my reflux issue, then lye backwards on the mattress so that my feet are 5" higher than my head). So in this position on my back I self percuss my chest, then roll over on my stomach and get wife to bang on my back. At this point I usually feel a lot of congestion in my upper trachea so I then roll back over and start my huff coughing as in my first post. A lot of detail here but it all works really well for me. Bill

Hi Woot, I think we go to the same DR in NC. Just a heads up! I dropped off a culture there 2 weeks ago and got told a few days later that they did not process it. They told me it should have been on ice when I dropped it off and that the lab is very strict and would not process it. I had kept it refrigerated until I left the house and its about a 45 minute dr.

@toni1132 I think the nose and sinus possibly could show MAC when our lungs have MAC, what comes from my nose is the same colour that comes from my lungs. Not sure that they have tested this yet. Take care Heather