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Sputum tests: Problems producing enough sputum
I have problems producing enough sputum for a sample. I had no problems in March but my doctor wanted it repeated again. Yea... March was negative for MAC and I'm currently on the big 3. I took my sample to the lab this morning and they said there was too much saliva. Any suggestions? Last time I used the nebulizer with saline prior and I also did that this morning.
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I mail samples to Tyler Texas and due to problems with the mail sometimes they don't arrive for over a month. They are exposed to heat and humidity but still are processed and my doctor does not want me to send another sample.
@woot Hi there! Your sputum sample containing saliva might show MAC, but the lab and doctors want to keep things separate. My ENT at Stanford regularly cultures samples from my sinuses, and I do have colonized m. Abscessus in my sinuses (along with a host of other pathogenic and normal critters.) I’ve never sent a sample from my sinuses in to the lab.
I have MAC in my lungs, too, but hand deliver my own self-induced samples to the lab.
Thanks, Brenda. I never thought of that. Keep educating me.
Linda
Pop, I didn’t see your reply until this morning. At 7:30 am tomorrow I’ll leave home to deliver sample I collect at 6:30. Never would have thought of putting it on ice but now I will do that. I’ll also tell Dr Daniels what the lab told you. Do you think the lab lacks equipment or is incompetent or what? National Jewish and Texas and others can test samples sent through the mail. But it was Rex Hospital lab that didn’t process my last one. We need to find someone who understands these lab processes to explain to us.
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1 ReactionDelivering sample tomorrow morning. I printed your earlier suggestions yesterday. I’ll add postural drainage to it. Dr Huitt at National Jewish, pushed and pushed to get me to buy an adjustable bed instead of the wedge to elevate, including raising my knees. I finally caved, got the bed, love it. I hope you are doing well.
Linda
Smart ENT to test your sinuses. Eforeci got very sick with M Abscessis I had a very bloody nose for two weeks and horrible headaches….since it was springtime my pulminologist chalked it up to allergies. Knowing I’ve had MAC and a lung cavitation I think he should have been more concerned and taken samples.
If the sinuses can be colonized with NTM is it worthwhile to do daily 7% saline rinses for the nose in addition to the 7% pulmonary nebs? In thinking about the anatomy,
the entire nasal and pulmonary track is lined with respiratory mucosa. Wondering if anyone has seen data on this concept.
I have an appointment with Dr Daniels tomorrow at 11:00, so I plan to just do a culture while I am there tomorrow. The nurse just called me and said for me to do the culture at home rather than to bring one in from home. I would not trust the Rex lab as they reported several of my cultures as Abscessus when they were Avium Complex. Dr Daniels was the one who realized they had made the mistakes. My plan is to keep sending them to National Jewish because they are very detailed. NJ will give you the colony count and the specific bacteria where none of these other labs can do that. I don't believe the lab at UNC gives specifics on the bacteria or colony count. If you are planning to do yours from home just make sure to bring it in on ice and avoid them saying its no good.
I have always done my samples at home and refrigerated. My doc requires 3 in case one is bad.. They are sent to our department of health lab first, then if positive for NTM they go to NJH for sensitivity testing and complete analysis. My daughter says this is because we have a high presence of TB in our county and they want to be sure the symptoms are from a non-tuberculosis strain of Mycobacteria.
Wow, I don't know about anyone else, but I accidentally inhaled some into my nose one day, and that 7% saline burned! I can't imagine rinsing regularly with it because I think it would really irritate the nose and sinuses.
Another thing to remember is that noses are often colonized with NTM, Staph and other bugs and we don't get sick from them. The nose and sinuses, with regular room temperature airflow, just don't offer the same warm moist environment as a poorly functioning lung.
If I were thinking about trying it, I would ask my ENT first. Saline rinses are usually around .5% so 7% would be 14 times stronger.
Let us know what you learn.