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MAC, Pseudomoas Aeuroginosa, Bronchiectasis
Hello,
I am new to this site and group. This is my story:
I had surgery for lung cancer in April 2015. My Upper right lobe was removed and sleeve resection due to main tumor being wrapped around and inside of the bronchi leading to right lung. Within a day after surgery, my middle lobe twisted, I had respiratory failure, and developed pneumonia. I was told I had a couple different infections. I was in the hospital 11 days and was tested for all the super bugs. Test for MAC, which I believe I acquired in the hospital, came back positive. I developed Bronchiectasis shortly after. It caused a large cavity in my middle lobe. In 2015, I was back in the hospital three times with pneumonia and a fourth time due to a rib that fractured and displaced while coughing. I had surgery again March 2017. A graft was taken from my pectoral muscle to close up the cavity in my middle lobe and bring more blood supply to the area. Rather unique that could be done. I’ve been on Rifampin, Clarithomycin, and Ethambutal since August 2015. My sputum tests for MAC have come back negative since October 2015. I was to go off the antibiotics in October 2017 but it was decided I would stay on them longer because I had been ill and tested positive for Psuedomonas Aeruginosa. I was told it is colonized in my lung. November 2017 I had 14 days of IV antibiotic treatments. I had sputum tests and the numbers for the Psuedomonas were much less. So the treatment definitely helped but did not eradicate it. I am better but continue to have green sputum and lots of coughing and wheezing. My ID doctor at OHSU ordered sputum test for bacteria’s and that came back as normal pathogens that live in the mouth but said it could be there is something deeper down in my lung and advised giving it a few weeks and let him know how I’m doing. I emailed him today to let him know green sputum continues and am waiting for his response.
My doctor said that people with MAC and/or Bronchiectasis are at higher risk for contracting Psuedomonas Aeruginosa
I am wondering if anyone here has or has had Psedomonas Aeruginosa and what your experience with it has been?
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Welcome to our group. When you say you have "nuisance" pseudomonas and MAC, does that mean you don't have any symptoms?
Pseudomonas and MAC (Mycobacteria Avium Complex) are two different, difficult to cure lung infections that can hide in susceptible lungs for a very long time. Do you have a lung condition like Bronchiectasis, Asthma or COPD?
You have a wise Infectious Disease doctor, who realizes that it takes a specially experienced pulmonologist to figure out how to manage and/or eliminate both of these rare infections.
Some people need antibiotics, and some do not. But in either case, you need regular monitoring of your situation.
Also, pseudomonas and MAC must be treated separately, with different antibiotics. Usually pseudomonas is treated first because the length of time is less, but it often takes 2-3 tries to eliminate. MAC treatment lasts more than a year, and which drugs to take and how often depend on sensitivity testing of the bacteria in your lungs. In addition, the pulmonologist will have more information for you about how to do airway clearance, possibly using 7% saline nebs, to reduce the bacteria load in your lungs and keep you healthier.
Where did the ID doc refer you?
Hi,
Yes I did have symptons and still do, the pulmonary Dr. said that I had Pseudomonas, and then the last few visits he referred to it as Mac, after he had done another CT scan, he referred me to the Infectuous Disease Dr. she has had me do more of the sputum tests, in she is referring me to the Hospital clinic (Dartmouth Hitchcock in New Hampshire ) to their clinic, I have had cough and congetion for a little over a year now, some days are better than other days.
My appt at the hospital outpatient and this is the Infectious Disease clinic there is at the end of April. I do not have COPD, but I have had asthma in the past I have an inhaler for that when needed. Thank you.