can't get a mucas culture from lungs.

[Lapis5]

I have had Bronchiectasis for five years and many lung infections.. Pseudomonas etc.and mos of Iv antibiotics.

Have never had a problem getting a culure till now.. four times the lab said it was contaminated by oral something or other. So did not run it for respiratory disease.

I even went to my Pulmonologist office yesterday and used abuteral and saline and submitted two more.. both rejected.

I feel like I still have Ecoli, Aspergillus and colonized active Pseudomonas and need IV antibiotics again..

Any advice how to get a good culture appreciated.

I use saline and an oscillating vest twice a day and warm shower to loosen it so I just dont understand what is wrong all of a sudden.

Thank u in advance.

[Biker88]

last time I had to produce a sputum sample it took several weeks, I was using saline nebuliser, carbocistine and the huffing technique. I can’t use a flutter device due to being prone to lung bleeds. One tip I was given was to use a straw and blow into a 2litre bottle full of water, this apparently has a similar effect to a flutter device

[Lapis5 in reply to Biker88]

Its the quality of the mucas the lab is complaining about

oral contamination...

Never had this problem in four yrs.

`And done many cultures.

[Alberta56]

I'm sorry you're having this problem. I would have thought the hospital people had come across this before and could make some suggestions. Perhaps the Helpline could help.

[Lapis5 in reply to Alberta56]

I agree

[Patk1 in reply to Lapis5]

0300 222 5800

[Patk1]

Perhaps rinse Yr mouth out thoroughly with water + gargle beforehand.youd think they'd see beyond it ! I try to just put a couple of blobs,brought up frm low down in lungs. I'd get thm to tell u what's in it x

[Lapis5 in reply to Patk1]

I can't get it up from lungs !

[Patk1 in reply to Lapis5]

The acbt is v effective,combined with aerobika

[Germantara]

I hope you get sorted