What's going on?

[Linda111]

In January I had pneumonia.  I took antibiotics and thought I was well.  In April, it came back.  The CT scan said bronchiectasis.  I took 3 different antibiotics and 2 rounds of prednisone.  The second CT scan did not show bronchiectasis.  The xrays and CT scan said the pneumonia was almost clear and I didn't have to go back until September unless I became sick again.  It has been three months since my rmedical release and not a day goes by when I don't cough up green phelgm.  It hasn't gotten worse since my release, but it hasn't gotten any better.  My right lung remains sore or achey....not the pleurisy-type of pain, but a dull ache that gets a little worse when I breathe deeply.  Is this normal to continue to cough minimal amounts of green phelgm months after the pneumonia is gone?  


This discussion is related to 'Something' on lung ct scan.

[Sunny602]

That's cool that you are getting your vest so soon! I have the 104 version (I bet you are getting the 105...I think that comes with a ramping setting that gradually increases your frequencies). It does take time to get used to...make sure that the vest itself fits right and isn't too small or too big. I believe the proper measurement is 110% of your chest circumference while not inflated. When you get your neb machine, make sure that you do your nebs before you vest so that your airways are as open as possible. I tend to do my Xopenex and pulmozyme/HTS before vesting and then do my session. I vest twice a day at a minimum, when sick, I go up to four a day if tolerated.
That is curious about your ears and bronc, I bet it was the plane ride that did it though. The last time I flew, I could not hear for a few days and felt stuffy. I took a decongestant (I know, I shouldn't have because it dries me up, but this was before my diagnosis).
Let me know how you are doing with that vest...Sunny :)

[Linda111]

I live on the other Coast in California.  I am getting the vest tomorrow, but they haven't scheduled training yet.  I just came home from San Francisco.  The cold weather was brutal and the plane ride stopped up my ears and caused horrible pain.  I wonder if that is from the bronch also.  Thanks for all your information.  It's very helpful.  Linda

[Sunny602]

Hi Linda, sorry it took me so long to respond...I live in NY. Hm...as far as coughing up gunk without a neb this is one way. Make sure you drink lots of fluids the day before you give your sample so that  you are well hydrated. If you aren't, then your mucous will be more sticky and harder to bring up. Even drink a few glasses right before your sample. Some people say that steam helps, take a good hot shower with lots of steam...that may help your mucous thin out as well. When you give your sample, take some deep breaths and give a good cough.
I hope this works....I hope you get your equipment soon, it will make a difference for you!
Hugs, Sunny :)

[Linda111]

Sonny,
I haven't gotten the nebulizer yet.  At this time, I do not cough up anything until about 11 a.m. or later and then it is a minimal amount each time, but can be 30-40 times during the day.  So, without the nebulizer, how do I get the gunk out so I can get an accurate result on the sputum culture?  By the way, where do you live?  Linda

[Sunny602]

Ooops,  I just read that he prescribed albuterol...ask if you can have mucomyst nebs along with that to help break up mucous. Even plain saline at times will help...I personally love hypertonic saline (3% solution as compared to 0.9% solution), that stuff will make your mucous run like a river!
Sunny :)

[Sunny602]

Here is a good way to cough up a good sample...do a neb treatment. What nebs did he prescribe for you? If he prescribed mucomyst to break up your mucous, that would be great to neb before you cough up a sample. The best time of the day to get a sample is in the am, I tend to be most junky then. If I need to give a sample, I do all of my treatments first, by the time I am done, my lungs are rattling away!
I have had the vest for nearly 3 years now and love it. I had to play with the settings a bit to find the ones that were most productive and comfortable at the same time. It is very important that you get the correct measurements so that you get the right sized vest. I initially had the large vest, then lost a huge amount of weight and am now a small adult vest. The old vest was riding up under my chin and was very uncomfortable until I got my new vest.
Here is the great thing about the Vest, if any parts break or you need a new vest, they replace them without any extra cost. It is under a life time warranty. When my carrier ripped, I called them and within a week, a new one was shipped to my house. I have had nothing but good experience with customer service.
I am so sorry that your pulmo treated you like that...some do tend to get a certain diagnosis locked in their heads and can't look beyond that. It is a shame as it delays the right treatment.
If you have anymore questions, just holler! Sunny :)

[Linda111]

I just went to the doctor yesterday.  He said it could take up to 2 weeks to get the vest airway clearance system.  From what I read, it is effective, but a bit uncomfortable.  I should be getting the nebulizer sooner than the vest.  I believe the perscription he wrote for the nebulizer is albuterol.

My first pulmonary doctor had it in his mind that I did not have Bronchiectasis in spite of the CT scan.  Up until January, I have not been sick (Since January, I have not been well)  and I'm 59.  When he got the 2nd CT scan report, it didn't say anything about bronc & he was too lazy to read the CD of the scan.  He was so sure it was "just pneumonia" and saw what he wanted to see.

In the meantime, the doctor wants me to do sputum cultures and I don't cough up enough stuff so I'm not sure how I will do that.  I cough minimal amounts all day, but I need to do this in the morning with a more significant amount.  Any ideas?

[Sunny602]

HI Linda....I too have bronchiectasis (due to CF) and also use the vest airway clearance system...It is pretty effective I believe. What nebs does your doc have you on? I am on pulmozyme (breaks down the DNA of the mucous, thinning it), hypertonic saline...also breaks it down, TOBI for my pseudomonas (if you culture pseudo, this might be a good drug for you, it is a nebulized form of tobramycin, I rotate 28 days on and 28 days off..it does a fairly good job at keeping my pseudo at bay) as well as pulmicort and Xopenex. Lots of nebs....I used to use mucomyst nebs but I found them to be too irritating and caused my airways to spasm even though I used Xopenex with the nebs.

About your initial post...I thought it was odd that the second CT did not show bronchiectasis...bronchiectasis does not go away from what I know. I am glad you got the proper diagnosis along with the right treatment.
I hope that your routine works for you...Sunny

[Linda111]

Update:  I went in for a second opinion.  I do have bronchiectasis and that is the reason for the continued green phelgm after the pneumonia has cleared.  The doctor is having me use a vest airway clearance system and nebulizer to help me loosen and rid myself of the mucus.