After writing my last post I am now interested to see how many of you do get results of your mucus tests in less than week like I do ,if so and it is supposed to take longer for the bugs to grow (as was suggested in answer to my last post ) what can we do about it
Take care
Dorothy
I have Bronchiectasis and results are through in less than a week. However before being diagnosed with this I had recurrent chest infections and despite culture nothing much grew. I had been under chest clinic for 20 years what was to be my last visit they decided to take a culture and leave it to grow. Three samples were taken it took about 2-3 months for the results. I had non infectious TB which took 23 months to clear on what they called chemotherapy antibiotics.
All though that has cleared regular samples are taken as they can’t say it won’t return.
Take care.
Thank you for your very interesting reply I had T B as a child and have often wondered if it could come back again
Hello Dorothy
They love those mucus samples in Switzerland. I did 2 recently and that’s how I knew I had that rare superbug for which there was a whole of suggested antibiotics nobody gave me so I am still coughing..
It took 3 days «to grow» ..
Good luck!
Fran xx
Thanks for your reply My daughter has been coughing for over 12 months possibly gerd or gard ,now she is going for urgent endoscopy and the appointment is for four weeks ,thought it had to be 2weeks oh well you take care Fran
Dorothy
Hope all goes well for your daughter Dorothy. I don’t have Gastric acid anymore since I discovered I was lactose intolerant and I eat lactose free. Maybe an idea for your daughter..
Love,
Fran xx
It is a very frustrating situation. In addition to only leaving the bacteria to cook for two to three days, most standard hospital labs also only run tests for a limited number of bacteria. At the QE in Birmingham we used to have our own lab for bronchiectasis because it was a research centre. They found bugs that even the research labs in Switzerland could not find. I know this because during assessment for a drug trial they found pseudomonas when the testing centre lab in Switzerland did not. Then the consultant, prof Stockley stopped doing clinical work and as it was he who used to source the research money that kept the lab going we were thrown back on the standard labs at the hospital. If the consultant suspects that there is something else in there the sample has to go to the more specialised lab at Heartlands Hospital. After months of nagging my consultant that there is something different in there my samples have now been at Heartlands for three weeks undergoing further culture. The only thing to do I guess, is to let them know that you are aware of what the problem is ( many GPs are not) and nag for a more complex analysis to be carried out.
Well thanks again no point nagging this end cos it won’t happen I just get so frustrated I have been coughing up yellow and green mucus for over 12 months and I am told this is may be your colour and now the last 3 months what I can only describe as a smokers caugh Havent smoked for nearly 30 years
Oh dear this is ridiculous. By ignoring your problems they are demonstrating a distinct dereliction of duty towards your care. It is obvious that they are talking through their hats rather than take serious steps to get you the treatment that will make you feel better. I will never understand why these medics, faced with something they do not know enough about, shrug off the patient’s concerns rather than seek help from an expert. If you don’t have a consultant you need one. The longer it is left the more lung damage progresses. This your health we are talking about, not your GPs. If you are too debilitated and disheartened to make them do their job properly do you have someone who can help you stand up to them?
My eldest daughter works for Cqc but don’t like involving her she knows what’s going on
I really think that you should ask her to support you in this.She doesn’t need to do it in her official capacity but as a daughter helping her Mum through the maze of medical incompetance. Please do not be misled into believing that your interests come bottom of the heap after those of everybody else. You are worth better than you are getting.
But surely that means everyone in my area are treated the same as myself I no longer have the energy to fight any more but thanks for your help .i am still curious how many people will answer my question
Last year consultant at 're hospital wanted me to cough up mucus for testing said it was st the bottom of my lungs. Gave me a bottle to take home for a sample but I explained I hardly ever coughed. Tried everything t get mucus for test but not working. They had to give up they decided as nothing coming up just t keep eye on things. They do ask every time I go but have to remind them no coughing.just the normal crackles for copd
My mucus had not been tested for over 18 months. I was seeing my consultant for my 6 monthly check up. I gave him a sample. He was totally fazed - couldn't make out what to do with it and wondered why I wanted the sample tested! I dread to think what might be growing in my lungs.
It's not as if I walked in off the street as a healthy stranger. I'm his patient, I have bronchiectasis and OB.
You have the wrong consultant if that is their attitude. You need a bronchiectasis expert not a general consultant who are mainly trained in copd and know virtually nothing about bronch although they hate to admit it. Find a name in your area, they are usually at big teaching hospitals. Take it to your GP and do not step out of the office until you get the referral. I could say some very strong words about that idiot but this is a polite forum
Was your sample indicative of infection? ie discolouration? , what you cough up every day? I've not been told to provide a sample when I am free from infection and not coughing up nasty coloured stuff. I don't think the medical profession will test a sample unless it is and patient are indicating infection.
My mucus varies in colour frequently. If I show obvious signs of infection I get a sample to my gp or local hospital. I have been told that it's good to get samples of mucus tested at least yearly as some bacterial infections can be lingering and gradually multiplying, then they suddenly overwhelm you and take a lot to clear up. Getting yearly checks can nip this in the bud.
yes that does apply for some patients but not all, some people always have a colonization for which usually maintenance ABs are prescribed and yes in these situations the patient would be required to provide sputum sample more frequently.
Yes same here gave bottle of what mucus I was able to bring up to The consultant he just looked at bottle and put it down on desk. Never mentioned again. Not even to say we will contact you with results never heard a thing. So I suppose I must assume it was clear.but the look on his face was clearly what am I supposed to do with this
In this case nothing
I know they are busy in hospitals but nearly all these consultants have private patients that really winds m up
Don't assume that because they don't contact you the sputum is clear. I recall taking a sample to the hospital a week or so prior to Christmas/New Year. We didn't get a call about it but OH was very unwell. Just after the holiday I got him an appointment with the triage nurse at the respiratory unit and when she looked on the computer the sample had grown Pseudomonas. That was a memorable festive season which was not exactly peaceful! He had several weeks of suffering which could have been avoided with the prompt and correct treatment. I had done my bit but the staff didn't do theirs.
You can always ask for a blood test for infection markers if you suspect an infection but nothing is showing up on culture.
patient.info/health/blood-t...
That is what the community matron does for OH. Only trouble is that while it shows that an infection is present, it doesn’t tell them what it is. However, it might concentrate their efforts when it comes to testing sputum.
The trouble with that is I have a high white cell count sometimes it’s really high the last time I was in hospital it was 39 but I did have chest infection,although that’s not why I was admitted I had cellulitis near my eye and that’s when they found I had chest infections. My lowest is 14
mmmm that information is contrary to my experience and what my doctor and respiratory nurse have advised me.
When I have been seriously ill with an infection I am told:-
- the sample needs to be handed in before mid day, (it should be the 1st coughed up in the morning before food or drink)
- not saliva
- use ACB huffing technique
- if there is an infection there is no mistaking, the bugs multiply / grow very quickly,
- results available next morning.
- with any future infection try to get a sample in before taking any emergency pack meds as the meds will affect the bug sample.
This was my last experience of approx 2 years ago. It is important to get sample done quickly and get results quickly so that the infections can be treated quickly with the most appropriate AB.
Couple of links for people: (Southend NHS - check turn around time)
southend.nhs.uk/pathology-h...
NHS Oxford on respiratory samples for culture generally say, "UP to 6 days" and go on to say;
"All results are returned electronically where possible (EPR, SunquestICE).
Some results may be phoned to clinicians and GPs.
Results are never given directly to patients by the laboratory staff. "
ouh.nhs.uk/microbiology/dia...
So I would say if the analysis shows the patient's bugs need urgent attention the lab will phone the GPs etc I would also say it probably depends on the staffing and volume of samples to be tested at any which hospital.
.
Sorrry this is getting a long read........
.
What can we do as patients;
- Provide the sample as required, a sample filled with saliva will be wasting everyone time.
- Have a sterile sample pot always at home, phone the surgery to say you need to speak to the duty doctor to fill the form out to go with the sample for sputum testing, can the doc mark urgent for quick results, just communicate how bad you think the situation is.
- You need results and treatment asap, so phone up the surgery for the results, check the time they are likely to be available etc. Voice your concerns if there is a delay etc.
-If for any reasons someone experiences a real delay, put in writing to their Surgery to PALS at the hospital, but no one wants to be wasting any one's time if actually there wasn't a real infection in the first place.
Mostly long time COPD patients know when its a bad infection.
If unsure get the doc or respiratory nurse to listen to your lungs. (Its not a good idea to pop the pills ABs and oral steroids if you are unsure.
Just my views.
Thank you for all that information which is already followed l do believe I have good care ,but doubt has been put in my mind I have had copd 17 years
As has been said, the sample quality is important and with OH I try to get an early morning one. They usually contain thick lumps so I know the sample is from deep down in the lungs. I always take it to the hospital for about 8.30am so it is not sitting around too long. He doesn’t have antibiotics until the result comes back - usually takes about four or five working days.
A very good reply from bkin. I’m afraid that we have to be pro active on our interests and vociferous in getting the right treatment. I feel that you are quite isolated and cannot really know what quality of care other people in your area manage to get for themselves. This is why I think that you need the support of someone to help you achieve this. You have had some very good advice from others on your problem
I have recently finished a rehab ( had to stop on advice of physiotherapist because I had pins and needles down my leg and arm ) so met a few people and they said same as myself about samples
It is the usual protocol to only leave them to develop for 2/3 days. This is why they often come back negative and miss so many bacteria outside the standard list that are looked for.
Hello I have bronchiectasis also asthma and gp
Plus hospital always say to send mucus sample to be cultured when coloured. I usually get a phone call with results about 5 days after for a prescription for antibiotics and what bugs they have found. This was how they found pseudomonas. Majt
Dorothy you are right there. Much as they look after you and help you. They often seem to be in a hurry to get through their clinic. To get to their next hospital(private probably).I have had one consultant who always gave you time to ask question. At the moment she is trying to see if she can get mel on the list for an op. But she works at another nhs hospital so case of waiting
I had a lovely consultant years ago when I was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis the tablets I had to take could easily overdose until you got the correct dose he phoned me at home twice on Christmas Day too make sure I was ok,you wouldn’t find one doing that today Maybe because he didn’t believe in seeing patients privately he cared so much
Take care
Dorothy
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