Connect
← Return to Should 4+ Pseudomonas be treated?
Discussion
Should 4+ Pseudomonas be treated?
MAC & Bronchiectasis | Last Active: May 22, 2023 | Replies (112)Comment receiving replies
Am I curious? Maybe a little. But I have had a lot of medical issues in my life, and I don't like to dwell on them. So, my choice is to only be tested/treated if I am symptomatic because I assume the MAC is still there, just like the stenosis in my spine, the glaucoma in my eyes, the arthritis everywhere, and the defect in my heart. So I get my regular checkups as recommended for each thing, take the absolutely required meds, exercise, do airway clearance eat well...
As for my lungs, that doesn't mean waiting until I have a horrible cough and green mucus - as soon as I have a hint of respiratory illness, I double down on the airway clearance, start my "emergency" meds as directed if I need to, and call the doc if it doesn't clear up in two weeks. This has kept me healthy for almost 3 years now, my CT's show no changes. And I am not constantly anxious waiting to hear what the latest test shows.
I have the same approach to the rest of my body - I don't ignore potentially serious symptoms, I get them checked out, then get on with life. This is how my Mom & her sister lived - well into their 80's with a plethora of health issues - they are my role models.
But that's just me, with the support of my awesome care team. Everyone needs to do what they are comfortable with.
Sue
Replies to "Am I curious? Maybe a little. But I have had a lot of medical issues in..."
Connect
I understand not checking everything. I don't check every condition either. For example, following the advice of my doctor, I no longer have mammograms. I have a neoplasm on my pancreas and I've decided to no longer have the annual specialized mri to see if it's growing and therefore cancerous although my oncologist thinks I should (pcp and gastroenterologist agree with me).
I haven't seen the opthomolgist, dermatologist or even the dentist in a couple of years. But that's due more to the pandemic and the state of my health.
My sputum samples have been negative for MAC since June 2020 following 14 months of antibiotics. I have, however, had pseudomonas, klibsiella and fungus. I had short term antibiotic treatment for the bacteria last year but could not tolerate anything longer than two weeks. Imagine my surprise when my most recent sample, in May, showed only "few pseudomonas" and nothing else. Previously my samples had "many" pseudomonas and have always had fungus which we never treated. When I asked Dr McShane what happened to the fungus, she just said that it wasn't in the sample.
In your situation. I would want to know. Because you are doing so well maybe it's gone!