Bronchoscopy

I have had two bronchoscopies this year in March and September and both showed Chimaera and Fortuitum sub-species bacteria. I also have a fungus/mold identification called Trichosporon. As far as I know, there is no resolution other than to take the drugs we read about, depending on the bacteria discovered. I am in the final testing stages now at NJH and will know what path I am to follow soon.

Additional information: My specialist at NJH told me that he would only be able to treat the Chimeara, the predominant sub-species, because drugs for Chimeara and for Fortuitum are different and unfortunately conflict so both sub-species can not be treated together. I'm not sure what that means in my future but it is worth mentioning to you.

My local pulmo did a bronchoscopy when he couldn’t clear up an infection over month with Levaquin and prednisone and BE accidentally showed not on a lung CR but a cardio CT. He did bronch lavage and took cultures. I was so full of mucus and gunk that my lungs felt clearer than I can hardly remember. But they had a hard time getting my 02 stabilized afterwards so that was scary. That’s when the pseudomonas was diagnosed. When I move to Florida a new pulmo offered me a bronchoscopy every time I saw him as if “ would you like fries with that “. When I finally asked him why , his response was “ If would just be something good to do “. Left that Dr and found a BE specialist at USF in Tampa who agrees that it is not something you do lightly and without a clear and significant reason. Under what conditions do your doctors do a bronch?

Bronchoscopy when first diagnosed and then not until more than two years later when I had a major flare and wound up in hospital for 55 days. The second one was done a few days after I had been admitted. This is not something to be taken lightly or to be done without a damned good reason.

Had breast cancer and radiation treatments. Coughing became chronic, nothing helped. Finally got a CT scan showed cloudy lung below the breast. Broncoscopy was torture, like waterboarding! No infection but lungs are scared and heart damaged. Pulmonologist didn't mention BE. I made an appointment with his APR to see my scan and that's when I found out. Yearly CT scan, no Broncoscopy.

@gerry26 that sounds awful. I was under anesthesia for mine. Were you awake?

@sharonednaramsey Yes! They did the procedure in the hospital instead of my usual surgery center who had all the info on my issues with anesthesia. When I asked to talk to the anesthesiologist, I was told that I would just be getting an injection of a fentanol mix. Opiods keep me awake and after 3 shots the doc said let's go ahead, she won't feel it. Wrong. Then kept me in recovery to make sure I was awake!

@gerry26 , Oh my! That sounds terrible. I've had multiple bronchoscopies and have always been sedated. For the last one, I remember the pulmonologist asking me to raise my hand a few times during the procedure, but that's all I remember. After the procedure he came and talked to me and mentioned that he would put me under general anesthesia if he even has to do another procedure for me.
Overall, I've tolerated the procedures well, with minimal after-effects.