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Pseudomonas aureginosa: When did your doctor decide to start treating?
When were your pseudomonas treated and how did your doctor decide it was time to do it? I have bronchiectasis, MAC and was diagnosed with pseudomonas in August. My pneumonologist thought it was colonized and I did not have symptoms so she decided not to treat it. I had my sputum culture last week and again pseudomonas was grown. Now she wants me to decide if I want treatment with Cipro if I think I need it. How do I know if I need it? I asked if they counted the size of colonies (I don't know if they even ever do it) but the nurse who called me did not know the answer. So if you had pseudomonas, please respond to my post and share how yours was delt with. I am scared to start another antibiotic and is it better to start early the treatment or wait for symptoms (what kind?)?
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@irenea8 yes I am on oxygen …my PCP reminded me yesterday to stay off Oxygen for at least 1/2 hr to an hr before I go in for the test . I am calling the Pulmonary lab that does the test to confirm that . My appt is next Wednesday . . I think my Pulmonary DR is checking general function of the lungs .
The Sputum that came up a couple of weeks ago showing Pseudomonas came from the lungs . Although my Pulmonologist said it could have infection in it from the maxillary sinus as that was my last infection in Mar and 21 day PICC line IV treatment .
What is your blood gas that makes it not good? Is this test painful? I understand that they pull blood from an artery not a vein like normal blood tests are done . Kay B.
@kaybast
My test was last done January 2025 and I had just been put on Oxygen for the first time. As far as I remember they did not make me go off the oxygen for any length of time prior to the test. No the test is not painful. They just take blood. What I would find difficult would be staying off the Oxygen for 1/2 hour to an hour. My test results were all very elevated. The only normal range was my Ph level. It was just in the normal range of 7.35. I hope it is still normal range now that it has been over a year since the test. Ph is very important and the fact that mine is still "normal" range shows that my kidneys are/were compensating for the very high CO2 levels. I think prior to my being put on Oxygen my CO2 levels were high.
@irenea8 thank you for sharing . I just received a call from the Pulmonary Lab answering my call. The tech said that they did not hear from my Pulmonologist as to how he wanted the test done…on or off oxygen. She said for me not to worry , they will check with the DR and if it is “off” they will monitor that with me once I get there …only 10 minutes or so if it’s off.
I have episodes off and on where a lot of pressure in the top of my head and dizziness , desaturate fast …my circulation system is not good at all. I break out in what my PCP (also specialized in Coronary care )calls micro bleeds … my cardiologist calls them Petechia …this event comes and goes at random … I will normally put a heating pad on my head and it brings down the pressure and starts circulation. So, I’m hopeful that my Arterial Blood gas test will give the Pulmonologist some good info to work from !
I’ve been on oxygen for 3 years as my PCP had a sleep test done…the results were I desaturated up to 49 times in an hr
Down to mid 70s….so I was on oxygen initially at nite to sleep however since then I’m on it round the clock . Off when ever I can.
Strangely , my Pulmonologist says my “normal range” should be 88 to 93. I don’t feel good when it gets that low so I get back on it.
Excited about this test in hopes it gives some info to work with.
All the best to your numbers staying in good range ! Again, thanks for the info . Kay B.
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@kaybast
keeping your O2 at 88 to 93 is probably to prevent hypercapnia. So that is why he said those lower levels were ok for you. If you set it too high you could develop hypercapnia more easily. Set your Oxygen to maintain that level of 88 to 93. I already have hypercapnia reflected by my high readings on the arterial blood gas test. The Ph level is the only thing that is still just within normal range. That indicates that my kidneys are producing bicarbonate to compensate for the high C02 levels. So in essence my kidneys are keeping me alive. Anyway you can read up on all this but lets hope your CO2 is ok. Keep me posted!
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PS I read your answer again and it sounds like you can maintain 88 to 93 without Oxygen which is great. If I take mine off I dip down quickly lower than that!
@irenea8 thanks and will do !
I was not ever told that it was treatable. Because the doctor says with being a bronchiactisis patient it colonizes. So we treat OA when its active and just push it back until the next attack
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1 Reaction@kaybast I have had the test many times. I was always on O2. It hurts a little. Depends how good your tech is.
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