Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Could bronciecstasis be sudden onset?
Answered by
This forum is for questions and support regarding lung and respiratory issues such as: Allergies, Asthma, Bronchitis, Colds - Flu, Chronic Cough, COPD, Cystic Fibrosis, Emphysema, Fibrosis, Lung Abscess, Nasal Polyps, Pleurisy, Pneumonia, Sarcoidosis, Sinusitis, Tuberculosis
Could bronciecstasis be sudden onset?
by runnertom, Jul 14, 2003 12:00AM
My 79 year old mother has in the last 6 months begun a chronic cough which her doctor initially treated as bronchitis. When it did not respond to antibiotics and a week of prednisone, she was referred to a pulmonologist. He, after reviewing a prviously made chest X-ray and echocardiogram diagnosed her as having bronchiecstasis. He then ordered a cat scan which he said was normal. She also had a pulmonary function test two years ago from which she was told that she had a touch of emphesyma (sp?). The pulmonologist said she did not.
The cough started initially a dry cough which has progressed in the last 6 months to generating a small amount of sputum-perhaps a teaspoon per day.
I am uncomfortable with the diagnosis in several areas:
>The sudden onset does not seem consistent with what I have been able to read about bronchiecstasis.
>The pulmonologist seemingly "jumped" to the diagnosis without the benefit of a cat scan.
>The amount of sputum production seems rather low based on what I have read about bronchiecstasis.
Question: Is the diagnosis of bronchiecstatis plausible with the symtoms I have presented? Should she seek a second opinion or just accept the diagnosis and live with the problem that is causing considerable cramping of her lifestyle? Thanks in advance for your consideration.
The cough started initially a dry cough which has progressed in the last 6 months to generating a small amount of sputum-perhaps a teaspoon per day.
I am uncomfortable with the diagnosis in several areas:
>The sudden onset does not seem consistent with what I have been able to read about bronchiecstasis.
>The pulmonologist seemingly "jumped" to the diagnosis without the benefit of a cat scan.
>The amount of sputum production seems rather low based on what I have read about bronchiecstasis.
Question: Is the diagnosis of bronchiecstatis plausible with the symtoms I have presented? Should she seek a second opinion or just accept the diagnosis and live with the problem that is causing considerable cramping of her lifestyle? Thanks in advance for your consideration.
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Jul 22, 2003 12:00AM
, Jul 22, 2003 12:00AM
The diagnosis of bronchiectasis is plausible but unlikely if the CT scan is truly normal. A second opinion could be helpful in figuring out what this could be and the best treatment.
A chronic cough can be a side effect of a group of medicines used to treat high blood pressure called angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. In a person who has a normal cat scan and who doesn’t smoke the most common causes of cough are postnasal drip, chronic sinus problem, gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) and asthma.
A chronic cough can be a side effect of a group of medicines used to treat high blood pressure called angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. In a person who has a normal cat scan and who doesn’t smoke the most common causes of cough are postnasal drip, chronic sinus problem, gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) and asthma.
http://www.NationalJewish.org/medfacts/bronchiectasis.html
"Bronchiectasis can be treated in a number of ways. Your health care provider will evaluate your case and recommend the best treatment for you.
Bronchodilator medicine
Antibiotics
Treatment of sinusitis
Treatment of gastroesphageal reflux
Techniques to clear mucus from the lungs
Any specific condition contributing to bronchiectasis should be treated:
--------------------------
If her doctor is not able to resolve her coughing symtoms it may be time for a 2nd opinion from another pulmo doc.
Ellis