Abnormal CT, more...

[babysmaid2]

I have a question please. I am middle age, and have had pneumonia three times in just over a year. Three years ago our family had a bad virus and ever since I've had a lingering cough. I've been on Qvar, and now Advair 500. I've had allergy testing, and nada. I also had a pulmonary lung function test and it showed a weakness in blowing out, (I don't know the technical term). I've also been tested (by blood) for Lupus, Myeloma/Cancer, and fortunately all results were negative.

Anyway, I've recently had a CT scan, and cloudy spots showed up on my lungs. I panicked at first, thought it was cancer for sure (before tests), but now am wondering if it could be lingering bacteria? Anyone ever experience this? I am trying to stay optimistic...

I almost forgot, I've also lost about 15 lbs. since May. I'm not a big person, the weight loss was not welcomed.

  

  

[babysmaid2]

Hi! Thank you for your post. My pulmonologist did mention MAC, is that what you are referring to (I don't have AIDS by the way). She did do a CT scan and "cloudy" spots showed up on  both lungs. My pulmonologist had scheduled a bronchoscopy for 12/1, but canceled it since I am currently recovering from pneumonia in both lungs. The antibiotics may alter results. Do you know how people commonly get Non-Tuberculosis Mycobacteria? Creepy stuff isn't it?

Thanks again!!

[poolnoni]

Have you had a CT Scan of your lungs? Or a sputum culture. You should be checked for Non-Tuberculosis Mycobacteria. Weight loss is a common symptom in this lung disease. Please ask your doctor to do these two tests. If you have this and it is left untreated it can get worse. Also, this disease is very often misdiagnosed.  Good luck. Let me know how you make out.

[ConfusedMom]

Hi,

I suffer from the same thing.  I'm glad to hear that I'm not alone.  I've found that a moistened Q-tip works well for removing them.

[gaa3999]

Well, those diagnoses are pretty severe...
As previously posted on this forum, I, and many others it seems, have a chronic problem with this.  We have all been relieved to discover that they are simply food particles that are trapped back there (I can't remember what those caverns are called, not very many people have such large openings as me).  Yes, they smell terrible.  I have finally figured out (sortof) which foods may cause this for me.  Family Practioner and allergist recommended garglling woth salt water (never worked for me).  After years of trying to dislodge and get rid of them for the day with various objects like spoons, I found the perfect tool.  A simple plastic citrus peeler works miracles-  It's safe, it's thin, it's curved perfectly.  Oh I still gag occassionally, but it's worth it.  Now that I am aware of this phenomenom, I can pretty well detect them before I breathe on anyone.

So dont let those little smelly yellow waxy pieces rules your social life!

[tjlvtd]

Several of my friends have experienced the same situation, and we have looked at several areas in the medical books....we suggest that you inquire the areas of the following: acute fulminant sinusitis by Aspergillus and Mucormycosis; mycetoma; *fungal ball (cavity of the sinus).  You can go to http;//www.asca.com/updates/1-1/10c.htm and go from there.