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Can a CT Scan improve without meds and no sputum?

Posted by yorkieyoli @yorkieyoli, Apr 16 4:15pm

What are the chances of my CT scan showing improvement with just airway clearance and exercise when I have no sputum. I started on 7% saline, albuterol and huff coughing, but I can't seem to produce any sputum. My ID wants me to try this first, and then to have a CT scan in 3 to 4 months to see if there is any improvement before we discuss meds.

I have no symptoms, so I'm a bit wary of taking antibiotics that seem to have a lot of side effects. On the other hand, I don't want my lungs to get worse while we experiment with only airway clearance and exercise. Has anyone's CT Scan shown improvement from airway clearance and exercise alone? I have MAC and bronchiectasis.

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mariegrace | @mariegrace | 2 days ago
In reply to @espresso2go "I was diagnosed with NTM at the beginning of the COVID shutdown. After a lung biopsy..." + (show)
Profile picture for espresso2go @espresso2go

I was diagnosed with NTM at the beginning of the COVID shutdown. After a lung biopsy for a couple of one-inch spots, I underwent a year of heavy antibiotic use and was able to tolerate them well. I also began the nebulizing two or three times per day. I have been doing nebulizing for five years. I measure and track the output each day. It has variations at times, but has been reasonably consistent.
I have recently experienced a significant reduction in the output from my nebulizing, even when I use it once a day.
Change One
I have had significant sleep apnea that I have been treating for ten years. The full-face mask and Somnifix mouth tape have not consistently alleviated my mouth breathing. I had used heavier tape, which held my mouth closed all night, which has cut my events to the low single digits. My sleep has improved significantly in a shorter time.
Change Two
I have recently been doing an hour of full-body exercises every day, which is new for me.
Question
I was told that the bronchitis would only worsen over time and not improve. I don't want to have false optimism about the changes. Has anyone else experienced a significant reduction in bronchitic symptoms? If so, what did your improvements correlate to for you?

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@espresso2go
It is not recommended to tape your mouth closed during sleep. If you have sleep apnea, then you need treatment.
I think that with daily proper and consistant airway clearing, you can prevent exacerbations and worsening of symptoms.

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lenorj | @lenorj | 1 day ago
In reply to @pacathy "@espresso2go I see that you've been a member for a while, but this is your first..." + (show)
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@espresso2go
I see that you've been a member for a while, but this is your first posting. Welcome!

I was diagnosed with bronchiectasis 3 years ago and thought to have MAC, but cultures were negative. I'd been half sick a lot the previous few years with terrible coughs and low grade temps. I've improved a LOT with treatment of my mild asthma and aggressive treatment of my sinusitis. No recent fevers and coughs are minimal. Since sinusitis is controlled, I rarely have sputum.

I know the MAC specialists think exercise is a great tool for airway clearance and I believe improved clearance could stabilize the bronchiectasis. Others here report stabilized bronchiectasis as well.
I can't speak to the impact sleep apnea treatment would have except to say that sleep is important for healing in general. My pulmonologist stressed its importance.

I haven't had a CT in past year, but my PFT's had improved, good already, but better. Pulmonologist was very happy.

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@pacathy I too have been fighting sinus issues that impact my BT a lot. I would be interested how you are attacking your sinus problems.

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pacathy | @pacathy | 1 day ago
In reply to @lenorj "@pacathy I too have been fighting sinus issues that impact my BT a lot. I would..." + (show)
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@pacathy I too have been fighting sinus issues that impact my BT a lot. I would be interested how you are attacking your sinus problems.

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@lenorj it took a while to get sinus under control after I had the bad chest CT. I saw local ENT and went to Mayo in March 2023 for lungs. Mayo put me on their triple nasal spray (Mometasone, diphenhydramine and Ipratropium). It was great for reducing secretion volume with just 2 sprays. Around then, ENT did CT of sinus and frontal sinus was opaque. He increased sinus rinses to large volume Neil Med 2x/day (I'd been using little bottles due to ear issues with Neti pot). He prescribed 10 dayantibiotics with short course of steroids and referral to a frontal sinus specialist. While waiting, he had me use tobramycin eye drops in nose aimed at that sinus. By appt time with specialist, that sinus cleared, but
I was still hoarse and had yellow secretions on vocal cords. Specialist added Mometasone to the rinse bottles. That finally got it under real control.
That drug out over 6-7 months end of 2022 to June 2023.

I requested allergy testing-have couple severe pollen allergies and I'm more careful on high pollen days.

I haven't been to Mayo since diagnosis and triple spray script couldn't be refilled this summer. : ( Two squirts was nice. To substitute. I'm using OTC sprays Mometasone and azelastine and Rx Ipratropium. I'm still using the Mometasone sinus rinse, but am trying decrease to daily. I tried stopping, but hoarseness returned.
Since this January, I've also been on Allegra 4/day for an autoimmune condition, and that kept me drier in spring. (I'd been on one for couple years). I'd like to cut back on some, but am also afraid to mess with success.

Good luck! I hope you find a solution that works for you. Sorry it was so long. .

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lenorj | @lenorj | 18 hours ago

Thank you so much for your wonderful explanation. I’m going to my ENT with the whole thing! I’ll let you know how I make out.

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pacathy | @pacathy | 18 hours ago
In reply to @julienneh "I have actually had an induced sputum test. The respiratory therapist has you breathe a 10%..." + (show)
Profile picture for julienneh @julienneh

I have actually had an induced sputum test. The respiratory therapist has you breathe a 10% saline solution and within a few seconds of holding that in, I had some very good sputum samples. It maybe a solution for some who cannot produce sputum rather than an invasive bronchoscopy.

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@julienneh I'm glad that worked for you! Mayo tried that for me, stepping up concentration, and I only got a tiny bit of blood streaked sputum deemed inadequate and had to have bronch. My impression was they tried it for everyone before proceeding. I was disappointed and RT told me it wasn't uncommon to fail to get enough.

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