recurrent pneumonia

[shimipl]

my mother is 60 years old .
she has been recurrent pneumonia for about 20 years.
each time it's healed and than comes back after a year.
lately , it has become a lot more recurrent- each 2-3 monthes.
she is being treated with cefuroxime each time - which helps, but the illness comes back after 2-3 month.
Each time on other place - right or left lobe.
The doctors made c.t & blood tests but couldnt find what is the cause .
any ideas what is the cause?

[Joni_Honey]

A related discussion, What does cat scan for pneumonia address was started.

[anu327]

A related discussion, tb tretment for three of us was started.

[grannymac08]

A related discussion, recurrent pneumonia was started.

[U729740]

I have experienced the same as your mum, first I had a sinusitis  and the ENT specialist operated in 2004, then my respiratory problems didn

[National Jewish]

One possibility would be recurrent aspiration, due to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).  Another possibility is that she might suffer from an immunodeficiency state.  And a third could be tracheobronchomalacia or other conditions associated with bronchial ciliary dysfunction.  Bronchiectasis could be another but that should have been ruled-out by the CT scan.

Final thought, that the pneumonia might not be infectious, but rather, allergic or what is called hypersensitivity pneumonia.

[Sunny602]

Wow, your poor mother has been through alot. I agree with Starion, it would be wise to go either of the places that were mentioned. To get pneumonia every few months is not common, either she has an immunological issue, is growing very resistant bugs like Mycobacterium that don't show up on the run of the mill tests for bacteria, or some other disorder that would predispose her to recurrent pneumonias (for instance cystic fibrosis, I have this disorder and am very prone to infections- I was diagnosed as an adult) Anyway you look at it, she really needs some extensive workup to find out what the cause is so that she can get on the right track as far as her health with proper treatment. My thoughts are with you and your mom...Sunny

[starion]

I'd suggest your mom go to a good teaching hospital with a great respiratory department like National Jewish, Johns Hopkins or similar for a full evaluation and treatment.  It may be that she has an underlying infection that has not been fully treated that continues to mutate and reoccur, such as NTM (Non-Tuberculosis Mycobateria).  This is a very serious problem that needs expert treatment and careful coordination to eliminate.  

I'd suggest calling National Jewish (or a similar hospital--if she can't get there, perhaps they might have suggestions about other medical centers nearer her home that might be able to properly evaluate and treat her).  For National Jewish, call 1-800-222-LUNG (5864)or ***@****

They were a tremendous help to a friend who like your mom had recurrent pneumonias for years.  She's doing MUCH better now with her NTM treatment.

Aloha,
Starion