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Diagnosed with small airway disease on Pulmonary Function Test. Just finished 3 weeks of Meropenum IV

Lapis5 profile image
13 Replies

Cannot tamp damp down the colonized Pseudomonas at all. Have a PORT after so many IV Pic line problems last year,.

Does anyone know what "small airway disease" is and what can be done about it? I

Has anyone had two ivs at the same time of different antibiotics to treat the Pseudomonas? I know it cannot be cured however there must be something to tamp it down.

Sputum is still green or gold and thick,. Feel horrible.

Any info appreciated.

Thank u

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Lapis5
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13 Replies

Small airways disease can be associated with bronchiectasis, which I see that you have. It comes about because of changes in the small airways brought about by infections and the presence of mucus. So most of us bronchs have it to some extent. I'm sorry that you are having such a rotten time with no improvement even tjough you have had so much IV. Yes it is possible to have 2 antibiotics by IV during a course of treatment. I am wondering, as the medics don't seem to be finding the approptiate antibiotic to deal with these infections, whether they should look for the presence of a fungus such as aspergilla instead. I hope that they can give you some improvement soon.

Lapis5 profile image
Lapis5 in reply to

I had Aspergillius and Haylene mpold for 6 weeks but the oral med cleared it. Do u know names of other iv antibiotics for Pseudomonas?

in reply toLapis5

There are several including tazocin ( which doesn't work for me) ceftazidime, gentamycin and probably some that I haven't experienced. It is really up to your doctors to find the correct one.

Lapis5 profile image
Lapis5 in reply to

But what does the small airway disease mean? Name of condition please.

in reply toLapis5

There isn't another name for small airways disease. That is what it is. Damage/narrowing of the small airways. It can also occur in copd.

lejaya profile image
lejaya

I was also diagnosed with small airways disease no one ever told me what it was just that I had it. I do get alot of infections and have severe asthma so probably something related that

Gardeningdays profile image
Gardeningdays

I had no control of Pseudomonas with first couple of antibiotics Ciprofloxicin and IV Ceftazadime, I was then given IV Meropenen and put on nebulised Colomycin which I have used continuously now for nearly two years. I had another bad infection of pseudomonas last year and had Meropenen IV again. I am currently showing heavy growth pseudomonas and am currently trying to bring the level of bacteria back down by continuing the colomycin and increasing substantially the airway clearance. If that fail I’m back in for more IV antibiotics. Well worth increasing your airway clearance as I find that sometimes it will lower the levels back down enough to avoid more IV antibiotics. I am on nebulised antibiotics though all the time.

Alberta56 profile image
Alberta56

Sorry to hear you're having such a bad time. Would a device like an AerobiKa or an Acapella help to bring up the horrible sputum?

Blue58 profile image
Blue58

I'm in the same boat if its any consolation. I too have a port fitted and struggling to control the pseudonomas. I can't take nebulised ivs as they have a big impact on my brittle asthma so I am reliant on iv antibiotics. I'm intrigued however how you managed to have 3 weeks worth of iv meropenum. I've just completed another 2 weeks of meropenum but our hospital Trust will only ever give you 2 weeks of iv antibiotics at a time and I believe that is why my infections are getting worse as they are not getting on top of the infections before they take hold again. Tazocin doesn't work for me but would love to know what ivs others have had to control their pseudonomas/infections. Does anyone have ivs long term when oral antibiotics have shown to be ineffectivev aswell?

Lapis5 profile image
Lapis5 in reply toBlue58

Had 10days of Meroopenum then 3 weeks late had 2 weeks of it. My Medicare ins here only pays for the Colistin but not all that goes w it. I can't afford it; On fixed ss income and cannot work and live alone and own a home. I am not aware of programs that would pay for the saline, needles etc. are u? I thought u need to clear the PSeudo first then u can do Colostin as a preventative? I cant clear it. I am in California, do u have better med ins where u are? Dpo u feel like I do all the time from the PSeud?

Patk1 profile image
Patk1

I hope u soon improve.do u use lung clearance techniques?x

Blue58 profile image
Blue58

Must be really difficult for people with long term health issues in the US. At the moment we are fortunate to have the NHS in which care is free at the point of contact although it was originally set up to be paid for through national insurance contributions of which I paid an awful lot during my career. I fear our government would be happy with a privatised system today which I suppose would leave those of us with a long term condition in a vulnerable position especially if you can no longer work through illness and not able to afford the medication you desperately need. That said I am constantly living poorly as my infections are not being controlled so it is hard to know what the answer is as sometimes the NHS won't provide some meds because of cost

Lapis5 profile image
Lapis5 in reply toBlue58

So I am unable to afford the saline and needles for the Colysten . So i guess i will just have to remain sick. altho does everyone here really think that drug works?

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