Recurring Lung infection

[Fionamhenry]

I have cll and have had chemo 3 years ago with great success. No other problems until last May when I got severe lung infection and since then have had at least 7 rounds of antibiotics and been admitted twice for intravenous antibiotics for 7 to 10 days. My CRP levels reached 240. They are continually treating the infection but cannot get to the cause of this recurring infection in right lung. I don't smoke and have never had any lung problems before. Please help

[SofiaDeo]

If it were me, I would be asking for bronchial washings or brushings or biopsy or some way to get a piece of it, to test. Culture, sensitivity, is it a bacteria or fungus, could it be viral, is the tissue simply irritated for another reason, etc. etc.

[Fionamhenry in reply to SofiaDeo]

Hi, they have done a Bronchoscopy and I have been referred to respiratory and infectious diseases because they couldn't find fungal infection. But pneumonia and partially collapse lung with infection levels so high and it recurring must be being caused by something?? I just don't understand.

[SofiaDeo in reply to Fionamhenry]

CRP is inflammation level, not "infection level", which could be elevated for a reason other than infection. You are being referred to respiratory, and infectious disease, for further workup. So this is in motion to be investigated further. An initial diagnosis of "pneumonia" means that some sort of infectious agent was presumed to be the cause. You are being referred for more intensive investigation, because whatever it is, it isn't a simple pneumonia from a common agent that easily cured.

[Fionamhenry in reply to SofiaDeo]

Thankyou so much for your help.

[SofiaDeo in reply to Fionamhenry]

FWIW, please keep your CLL doc in the information loop. It's not common, but it's possible, for lymphoma patients (which includes CLL) to have pleural effusions, which could then get infected. So *if* you are one of the few having problems like this, your CLL doc should be informed, as well as the pulmonary people and infectious disease people.

My understanding is that pleural effusions are more common with different lymphomas not CLL, as well as related to starting or continued treatment, but it's possible for us to just "get" them. So since it's possible, perhaps ask if this is at all possible from what your tests are showing. There is an instance of CLL showing up as a pleural effusion, in the literature.

You can show/send your doctors these links.

journal.chestnet.org/articl...

journal.chestnet.org/articl...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/248...

[Poodle2]

Sorry that I can't help but just sending hugs and positive vibes. I hope they get to the bottom of it. Stay vigilant 🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻

[Lenny123]

Glad yourbronchoscopy is ok. Suggest thinking about alveolar collapse. These are the tiny sacs at the end of the bronchial tree. if they collapse or get filled with fluid, they can act as a nidus for infection. You can help expand them by moisturizing air and deep breathing exercises. i am a fan of an Acapella, available from Amazon for about 40 dollars. Breathing into it sets up vibrations in chest which promotes deep expectoration, helping to clear out small passages.

i have had chronic bronchitis, and have coughed up casts of alveoli, bronchioles. i know this as a medical professional. these are like plaster of paris impressions, attesting to the incredible thickness of secretions.

General hydration is key, especially as we tend to dehydration in winter.

N Acetyl Cystine(mucomyst) used to be used ,to break up secretions, no longer, as apparently efficacy not well proven. Do have anecdotal memory of pretty good outcome back in the 80s.