Help appreciated...

[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 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..

[babysmaid2]

Thank you for responding!! My pulmonologist said many conditions fit under COPD, and she didn't think I fit into the typical ex-smoker/COPD category. We are still in the process of discovery. She once thought I may have a light form of asthma, or possibly MAC. I am not sure how one gets MAC, I haven't researched it much yet. Can you get it from a virus?

I just finished three weeks of Zithromax to clear the double pneumonia I recently had, and it seemed to help the chronic cough as well. Unfortunately, I also got a cold and I'm coughing again, not as much though. My kids are in pre-school, and bring home all kinds of fun illnesses.

The next step is the bronchoscopy, I have to wait a little while since I was just finished the antibiotics. I am still hoping whatever has me down will be finally eliminated. My body is tired!

Thank you, Diana

[National Jewish]

Pneumonia, three times in one year, is quite abnormal.  This should be carefully investigated by a pulmonary specialist.  This same specialist should also interpret your CT scan abnormalities.  Recurrent or unresolved infection could indeed cause "cloudy spots" on a chest CT scan.  However a number of lung problems can look this way without infection.  You may need to have a lung biopsy for the problem to be determined.

Chronic cough can be a sign of a serious lung problem.  However it is not uncommon for chronic cough to persist indefinitely following a bad viral infection.  The medicines you are taking are commonly used for asthma and for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).  You should ask your doctor if either of these is suspected as being the cause of your problem.  Also ask if either your doctor or the radiologist can tell you the most likely problem that would cause the abnormalities on your chest CT scan.

Your optimism seems appropriate.

[babysmaid2]

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