sputum culture for MAC testing without producing any

My Dr kept suggesting the bronchoscope, but my left vocal cord is paralyzed and has been inflated to stop aspirating, out of fear they may cause further damage I said no. It may be your best option.

Thank you for your ideas. So how did your doctor check for presence of Mac? I just can’t accept the fact that I take antibiotics without even knowing if they work. Whatever I do on my own Nac mucinex sodium chloride 3% auto drainage nothing helps. It takes away energy

I did 3 sputum cultures, each a week apart, 4 weeks to incubate, the 1st 2 came back negative the 3rd positive for Mac. I was referred to Infectious Disease specialist just a few weeks ago and is in the process of acquiring Arikares, it's a nebulized antibiotic. The distributor contacted me today, they use Panther Pharmacy, which I had never heard of. They emailed me digital forms, that's a new one on me. also. Nothing is simple.

One time use bronchoscope to prevent introducing MAC or other bacteria into your lungs during procedure. You can’t be sure that the reusable bronchoscope cleaning procedure were adequate in the sterilization process.

Through sputum culture results. I was severely malnourished due to pharyngeal dysphagia and lung treatment was put on hold at the time. I was recently evacuated by a pulmonologist at Cleveland Clinic who reviewed all my records from my pulmonologist at Mayo. He wanted to do a bronchoscopy for additional cultures. I told him of my concern regarding equipment that even though sterilized could still harbor bacteria. His response was that they only use”one time use “ scopes that are then discarded. I’m seeing my pulmonologist at Mayo this week and will discuss his suggestions with her. I am still very significantly under weight and am not sure of my plan of care as of yet. In the meantime I do my ACTs, AerobiKa and my vest .

Hi Melinda I am wondering about the vest. I understand you are low weight so how do you tolerate the best? My pulmonologist mentioned a vest but then she thought it could break my ribs. What vest do you use and how you tolerate it?

Hi, so sorry for delay. I am using the Hillrom “the vest airway clearance system with connec connectivity “ on label. I’m at 13 frequency or Hz. My Dr. Initially had ordered 20Hz 20 minutes twice daily. The respiratory therapist set everything up and reviewed instructions etc. I started at 10Hz and gradually increased over 3 weeks to 13Hz which I tolerate well . I’m 96 lbs and was very anxious at first. I haven’t been treated for MAC yet as I’m waiting for my pulmonologist consult with ID Dr. I have to hope it is beneficial along with albuterol and saline nebs in the interim. I hope this is helpful.

Good morning Melinda. Thank you for your response; I know how busy our days are, and frustrating and exhausting- life of clearing blowing shaking. My question is did you get the vest because you could not cough up anything or for a different reason. I cannot produce anything, sometimes some clear stuff but nothing of value to get it as a sputum sample for culture so I am trying to try what is available. My dr is reluctant to give me the vest though but I will insist next month when I see her. She just says it’s ok not to produce but I have mucus plugs so I make it just do not get it out. The drs say you cannot remove mucus plugs but I have not tried all options yet. Sorry to be so lengthy but this forum becomes sometimes a venting place besides mostly a place offering helpful tips.

Hi, I asked for the vest as an adjunct to my treatments. Sputum amounts vary, more small than moderate. More so if infection flare up which I haven’t had in 6 months. I suspect the worsening areas may be do to not getting all the mucous out or MAC. I’m going to try mucinex or generic to help removing mucous. I also find autogenic drainage to be very helpful to me in removing mucous. Some clients have reported improvement after months of learning how to do ACTs. I periodically review the videos. Why is your doctor not ordering the vest? Is she knowledge about this type of equipment ie pros/cons? Does she specialize in BC /treatments?