Negative sputum but body feels + for Mac

Posted by beckyw321 @beckyw321, Apr 16 8:10pm

Has anyone had negative sputum but had a scope that was positive for Mac? I feel just like I did when I had Mac but my sputum is negative. All lab work normal.

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Rick | @rstel7272 | Apr 17 9:45am

The CT scan is important part of the diagnosis. I went 2 more years without the "radiological clearance" after sputum tests were negative

lbramirez | @lbramirez | Apr 20 9:04am

I just had my sputum tests return negative as well. But I do still feel symptomatic. I have been practicing airway clearance. Wondering if it is the bronchiectasis causing symptoms? In our current medical world it will be a wait before anyone can tell me anything. Meet with ID doc in a month, 2 months for first appt with a pulmonologist. Any input appreciated.

Do I need to continue nebulizing?

barbfit | @barbfit | Apr 21 8:19am

Ibramerez - not sure what symptoms you are experiencing, but depending on severity of Bronch. You may experience symptoms even in absence of any infection. If you haven’t had a CT scan in 6 months-year you may not know what lung damage you have. Airway clearance is so, so important and is the best medicine to both prevent further infection and help you feel better especially if you have any coughing and mucus. What symptoms are you experiencing?

beckyw321 | @beckyw321 | Apr 22 8:52am

My symptom is fatigue. The same fatigue when I was diagnosed with MAC. In fact fatigue was my main symptom.

pfurcht123 | @pfurcht123 | Apr 22 5:54pm

Hello, I am new to this forum. I am in the process of getting the dx but so far, all sputum neg. however, CAT , bloodwork and all my other symptoms support the dx. Very slow process to get correct dx. I also saw mention of "airway Clearance". Where can I get an explanation for what that is and how i can better treat my current symptoms. currently using advair daily and rescue inhaler PRN

barbfit | @barbfit | Apr 22 6:23pm

In reply to @beckyw321 "My symptom is fatigue. The same fatigue when I was diagnosed with MAC. In fact fatigue..." + (show)

Ugh. I feel your pain and it’s so hard to convince people (including doctors) the severity of fatigue. Very frustrating. I hope you are seeing a good pulmonologist. Good luck to you!

barbfit | @barbfit | Apr 22 6:30pm

In reply to @pfurcht123 "Hello, I am new to this forum. I am in the process of getting the dx..." + (show)

Welcome to the forum! If you are seeing a pulmonologist, they will advise And would most likely support airway clearance and recommend nebulizing treatments and or physiotherapy especially if you are coughing and bringing up mucus. Don’t know if that helps! 😌

lbramirez | @lbramirez | Apr 22 9:42pm

I don't see my ID doc for quite a few weeks, so I asked for some insight about my negative tests via the portal. Here is the feedback…

A negative AFB culture does not necessarily mean the mycobacterium infection is gone. A negative culture could depend on the quality of the sample given, and the location from where the sputum was coughed up.

However, a negative culture is a good indicator that the infection is being suppressed, at the very least.