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bronchiectasis

hello

i hope i can get some advice for my mother, she was having repetive lung infections and had shown positive for tb on a sputum test, they did a ct scan and reports show mild localized bronchiectasis, they cultured the sputum and now have said theres 2 kinds of tb? she has the one that isnt dangerous or the one that does not require tb drugs, i am not sure which one it is, they mention atypical tb or mycobacterial, i dont understand any of the terms, they then said they dont need to treat her as she hasnt got the dangrous tb,

she is due back soon for a repeat check, she keeps getting lung infections still, shes on another course of antibiotics and also steroids, she has this problem alot and its really worrying, i will be going back with her for the routine checks, are there any questions i can ask the drs? what do i need to know before going in with her? can i ask for treatment for this named infection as they dismissed it?

i know she has dust alleries and sneezes when its dusty, she doesnt take anything for that, she has been in inhalers for her asthma for a long time, could her bronchiectasis have been caused by dust?  also what ways are there to cure bronchiectasis, any kind of surgeries that would cure it?

i hope i can take back alot of questions so i can help my mum,

thank you in advanced

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Avatar universal
Anyone?
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Avatar universal
Anyone?
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Avatar universal
hi
can mild localized bronchiectasis be removed by surgery? as in the scaring or damaged area? is this what the dr should have offered to do or just to leave it is, as it is mild?
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Avatar universal
thank you for the reply

im not sure what they had found, but they did find somthing and named it, i will ask the dr. on the next visit, he is a Pulmonologist as originally, they  thought she had TB from a sputum culture, but had not cultured it long enough, i will ask about the bronchoscopy, also she has had asthma for a long time, she has allergies to dust too, im not sure whats going on, they just haven't really told us whats going on apart form shes fine and doesn't need any treatment, this has been going on for over 6 months now.

so im not sure what they have got ont he records but i think im going to ask my family dr of the results and this way get more information.

thanks again, thats very helpful of you.
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Avatar universal
Hi.
What kind of doctor is treating your mother?  Infectious disease? Pulmonologist? Allergist (for asthma)? or a primary care?

It doesn't sound like her doctor is doing a very good job of communicating anything to her or you.  If possible, she may benefit from seeing a different doctor.

Bronchiecstasis is a form of lung damage that can be caused by repeated infections.  There are other causes as well.  It involves folding of the aiarways that allows mucous to pool which then allows a variety of micro-organsims to grow.  You may want to request a bronchoscopy to further diagnose the specific micro-organisms in her lungs.  During a bronchoscopy they not only look at the lungs, but the take tissues and mucous samples and do a levage that cleanses the lungs and helps to remove some of the mucous and pathogens.  

Her doctors should be selecting the antibiotic prescribed based on the specifice micro-organisms cultured from her sputum.

You mentioned that she has a "mycobacteria".  Would you possibly be referring to mycoplasma bacteria?  That causes a form of asthma called Neutrophillic Asthma which is very well treated with an extended course of clarythromyacin.

There are lots of possible answers for her.  You just need to find a doctor that will work with her to find the correct treatment plan.  She doesn't have to continue living the way she has bee with the correct doctors help.

God bless.
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