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Bacteria in Sputum

Posted by fedrocker @tropauer, Jul 28 1:21pm

I am taking meds for MAC (have mild bronchiectasis) and my symptoms have improved. However, my sputum cultures (although negative for MAC) have included a list of bacteria: heavy growth of steno m., klebsiella pneumoniae, to name a couple.

I have reflux. Wondering if any of you take probiotics or on a diet to promote gut health, in case the cause of these lung infections are due to aspirating while sleeping or however? It seems to be a popular theory.

Thanks.

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blm1007blm1007 | @blm1007blm1007 | Jul 29 5:36pm

Several on the Mayo, including me, take probiotics to help keep up good gut bacteria etc. especially when taking the antibiotics for MAC infections.
If you go to the search box and put probiotics in you will find some threads that discuss the probiotics. The blue letters above: ,,, MAC & Bronchiectasis ,,,will get you to the search box.
Barbara

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mokie | @mokie | Jul 30 10:15am

There's no doubt in my mind that the aspiration caused both my bronchiectasis and resulting MAC. My doctor recommended kombucha (avoid the one with citrus stuff added) or Activia to help with gut health, but above all, she told me not to eat 3 hours before going to bed, to raise the head of the bed, and a gastrointestinal guy told me to sleep more on the left side. Our anatomy is set up so that you have less reflux going into lungs on that side. All of these little things together can help us not to aspirate. With bronchiectasis, our bronchioles are sort of broken, so they are not flushing stuff out as effectively as they should, so we get reinfected.

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