1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

Trying to cope with bronchiectasis

Posted by terri7444 @terri7444, Oct 1, 2023

I am a 73 year old female who has been diagnosed with bronchiectasis in the last year. I have seen 3 pulmonogists including one at the Mayo Clinic. All possible tests and ct scans of my lungs have been done. I am on Duo Neb and sodium chloride 7% two to three times a day in a nebulizer along with the Smart Vest. I have coughing spells which bring up sputum of various colors including green and yellow. I have been on antibiotics a few times along with prednisone which has not made that much difference. I am looking for any other tips, suggestions, or ideas others have with this condition. And what do you tell friends and family who can't understand that this isn't curable but a condition that I have to live with?
Thanks for any imput

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

terri7444 | @terri7444 | Oct 3, 2023
In reply to @jjhseattle "Hello @irenea8 I too am concerned about the color of sputum. It is generally light green...." + (show)
@jjhseattle

Hello @irenea8
I too am concerned about the color of sputum. It is generally light green. When I report it, My pulmonologist immediately requests a sputum sample and prescribes a strong antibiotic. She is so quick to prescribe it that I am at times reluctant to report green sputum. Would it be helpful to ask your Pulmonologist what other symptoms they think indicates an infection? Is it possible to have an infection and feel fine?
Keep us posted.

Jump to this post

My pulmonologist doesn't like to prescribe antibiotics as she doesn't want for me to build up a resistance. Only as a last resort and so far so good with no infections. Thanks for the imput.

REPLY
terri7444 | @terri7444 | Oct 3, 2023
In reply to @cayenne "Degrees of infection is an interesting observation. I routinely test positive for bacteria. Colored sputum as..." + (show)
@cayenne

Degrees of infection is an interesting observation. I routinely test positive for bacteria. Colored sputum as well as clear are normal for me. In the past my pulmonologist would have prescribed an antibiotic. Now I see it more as cohabiting and just try to clear it out without using antibiotics.

Jump to this post

I agree with you on keeping the sputum cleared out as much as possible. And yes the colors are an indication of how cleared out I feel.

REPLY
irenea8 | @irenea8 | Oct 3, 2023
In reply to @scoop "Could it be useful to gauge the color of sputum as it relates to timing? In..." + (show)
@scoop

Could it be useful to gauge the color of sputum as it relates to timing? In other words, the first two huffs out are a deeper color than the last several huffs out. Somewhere along the line I picked up that the darker mucous has been down in the lungs longer. If you start out greenish, but end with pale yellow, to clear, then that might indicate less likelihood of infection. If you start out greenish and end greenish, then possibly something could be brewing. This is the way I’ve thought about it I don’t know if it’s correct? For me, how much I clear, how I am feeling, how much I get done during the day, frequency of exercise, etc. are bell weathers of health.

Jump to this post

Yes how much you feel like doing during the day is certainly a good indicator.

REPLY
@ling | @wangling | Oct 3, 2023

I asked my pulmonologist about the colors of mucus, and when I should be concerned. He said it doesn't matter if it is green, yellow ... only when it is red.
Hope this helps.
Ling

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.