Chest Infections - 1253329

carol42
Posts:23

Hi, it has been a while since I posted. I got the results of my last scan on Friday, two years and six months since surgery and still all clear thankfully. My problem is I am getting chest infections about every four months, some quite bad and I end up with antibiotics. Surgeon and respiritory Dr. can find no reason for the continuous infections, lungs clear and X-Rays clear. I wondered if the surgery could have left me susceptible to them, lower right open lobectomy in August 2010, no further treatment. I know this is trivial compared to most but it is really getting me down, infections last from two weeks to four at worst. Any suggestions?

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Reply # - February 2, 2013, 07:18 PM

Dr West
Posts: 4735

It's possible that mechanical issues from the surgery made it harder to clear secretions, for instance. It can happen, but I don't know what can be done for it and would say that if the surgeon doesn't have an answer, the best source for a possible answer would be a pulmonologist. Perhaps a pulmonoloist could look via a bronchoscopy and, if there's a narrowed area that makes it easy for air to get trapped behind the narrowing, might place a stent there.

Good luck.

-Dr. West

Reply # - February 2, 2013, 07:23 PM

cards7up
Posts: 635

Carol, so glad you posted and hope you'll follow through and get this taken care of and find some answers.
Take care, Judy

Reply # - February 3, 2013, 03:34 AM

certain spring
Posts: 762

Agreed - and I don't consider chest infections to be trivial at all, especially if they are as long-lasting as you describe. A bronchoscopy as Dr West suggests sounds a great idea. If I were you, I would also ask everyone involved in your treatment to double-check with the microbiology lab that you are getting the right antibiotics. In my own case, on a number of occasions there has been what I shall politely call "a breakdown of communication" between my various doctors, and I've been given the wrong antibiotics.

Reply # - February 3, 2013, 11:19 AM

carol42
Posts: 23

At first I was given Amoxylin, maybe different name there, and it did work for the first few times. The infection before this current one was bad and it didn't work at all so I was given an Ethromycin antibiotic which cleared it up. I have been given it again this time and am improving but not finished the course until Tuesday. I don't like taking so many every few months and if I could stop getting this I would be fine. I saw a specialist who ordered an X-Ray, listened to my lungs and said I did not need a bronchoscopy. Tests for asthma were negative and my surgeon is at a loss about possible cause. Thanks for advice.

Reply # - February 3, 2013, 11:53 AM

certain spring
Posts: 762

Could you ask about microbiology? They can usually find out what it is from a sputum test.

Reply # - February 3, 2013, 12:36 PM

carol42
Posts: 23

Thanks, next time I get it I will ask for a test, it is nearly cleared up now. Who knows, maybe there won't be a next time!

Reply # - February 3, 2013, 12:47 PM

catdander
Posts:

Hi Carol, good to hear from you and the cancer is staying gone! I hope there won't to a next time for the infections either.
Janine

Reply # - February 3, 2013, 01:00 PM

carol42
Posts: 23

Thanks Janine, I think my surgeon was more pleased than me, he was really delighted but then I imagine as a lung cancer surgeon he may not get a lot of good news at times. I was glad to reach the halfway mark for five years and long may it last.

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