Does anyone know a good pulmonologist in Connecticut

Posted by rbl @rbl, Jul 15, 2023

I spent 2 hours trying to find a pulmonologist that knows about bronchiectasis and Mac, I have no clue. My current pulmonologist canceled my 6 month appointment and put me off until end of Aug. she is very dismissive and shoots down my questions. I wanted to ask her about saline but she will probably not agree with that either. She told me the vest is for when the lungs get real bad, which will come in time. I asked about getting a CT scan this year and she said last years was same at 2009 Ct scan so no need. If this isn’t important than why am I struggling with all the meds from my ID doc? Frustrated and would love to find a pulmonologist that understands this diagnosis.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the MAC & Bronchiectasis Support Group.

frankie160 | @frankie160 | Jul 17, 2023

In reply to @shirleye2 "I see Dr. Bazan with Yale. With her for a year and a half and cleared..." + (show)

Hi Shirleye 2,

I'm interested to know how long you have had MAC and what was prescribed by Dr. Bazan for you to have the MAC gone in such a short time?

I've had MAC for over a year and have agreed to the Big 3, and follow the Air Way Clearance protocols and now nebbing Arikayce since July 10th to try to clear the MAC.
Thanks,
Flo@frankie160

shirleye2 | @shirleye2 | Jul 17, 2023

I was on rifampin, ethambutal, azithromycin and Arikayce daily for 15 months. I started immediately after confirmation of MAC with cavitation. I stopped when I tested negative for 12 consecutive months and approval of Dr. Bazan and an infectious disease dr.

I also follow the Facebook group called Lung Matters. I use 3% saline 3 times daily, albuterol inhalation 2times daily and Anoro inhaler one time a day. I boil drinking water, sleep on a wedge.

shirleye2 | @shirleye2 | Jul 17, 2023

In reply to @shirleye2 "I was on rifampin, ethambutal, azithromycin and Arikayce daily for 15 months. I started immediately after..." + (show)

I also use a vest 2x per day.

scoop | @scoop | Jul 18, 2023

In reply to @shirleye2 "I was on rifampin, ethambutal, azithromycin and Arikayce daily for 15 months. I started immediately after..." + (show)

@shirleye2 Would it be possible to say more about your maintenance routine? After recovering from MAC do you continue to use 3% 3x/day and albuterol 2x/day? Is the Anoro off label use? Do you have asthma? How much do you spend with clearance? Many people here use nebulizer 2x/day and I am curious how 3x/day works for you for keeping things clear.

shirleye2 | @shirleye2 | Jul 18, 2023

I do continue with my maintenance routine. I do the extra saline late morning, early afternoon, followed with Aerobica and huff coughing. Boiling water, etc. I expect to do this the rest of my life. I produce very little sputum.
I've seen Anoro prescribed in this forum before. I have questioned my pulmonologist about it but she wants me to continue with it. I do not have asthma. I spend 2.5 hours per day on begging and huff coughing but that time is also used for reading, reading this forum and Lung Matters, catching up on texting, and the news.

rbl | @rbl | Aug 4, 2023

In reply to @becleartoday "Dr Metersky is the head of the bronchiectasis center at UConn. Personable and an expert. If..." + (show)

Thank you, Linda. I have an appointment with Dr. Metersky next Friday. Didn’t think I’d get in so soon. I went to my current pulmonologist just last week thinking I wouldn’t see new doc till Nov. Hope it goes well.