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Have Bronchiectasis, recently diagnosed with pseudomonas
MAC & Bronchiectasis | Last Active: Sep 30 4:40pm | Replies (211)Comment receiving replies
Hello, I'm new on the forum but already learned so much from everyone. Thank you so much.
I was diagnosed with Pseudomonas a. Sept. 21, 2023 along with Aspergillus fungal infection. I've been on IV antibiotics for almost 2 weeks now and starting to feel somewhat normal again. I start inhaled Tobramycin this week, (1 week on, 3 weeks off). Hoping it will help as well. I had MAC and Nocardia infections 9 years ago successfully treated over 18 months with Ethambutol and Rifampin plus IV infusions for 4 months. I feel so grateful to be here today at 80 years old and was pretty good shape until June this year when the pseudomonas hit me big time. (took forever to get diagnosed it seemed). After reading all the good info here, I also asked my doctor about 7% saline which I am doing daily now and it really helped to bring up lots of sputum that I normally cannot cough up. Since I've been on the IV I don't seem to bring up much sputum now, and wondering if that is a good sign or what? Also the saline chokes me so bad I'm wondering if it is too strong and 3% would be better? Any comments would be appreciated.
Replies to "Hello, I'm new on the forum but already learned so much from everyone. Thank you so..."
which IV antibiotic are you on Pegs? How long are you supposed to stay on it? 1 week on and 3 off of Toby is unusual. I wonder if that is a new protocol? Usually it is 2 on 2 off or 28 on and 28 off. Not bringing up as much sputum is probably a good sign the IV is working. Perhaps the stronger saline along with Toby is too much and you might try the 3% while on Toby? Just a thought. No doubt your Dr will have input on that.
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Welcome to Mayo Connect and our support group for people living with all of these challenging lung conditions.
Where do we start? I'm so glad the meds are helping with you Pseudomonas & Aspergillus. Both of these infections do tend to cause an increase in mucus, so I am not surprised that you are seeing a decrease as the antibiotics begin to kick out the bugs.
Yes, 7% saline is not for everyone- are you using it more than once a day? If so maybe you can reduce it to once, or alternate 7% and 3%. The 7% strength is important if you have MAC because it suppresses growth of that bacteria. But if 3% works to clear your lungs, and you don't have MAC, perhaps your doc will agree that the lower does is just as good for you.
I'm glad they are doing the Tobramycin slowly for you - that was the hardest part of the therapy when I had Pseudomonas 6 years ago.
Can you call the doc about reducing your saline use?
Sue