Sputum culture question

blindhearted · Dec 17, 2007

When I go to my CF Center, they give me a cup to spit in, but somehow my body knows when this happens and refuses to let me cough anything up. If I am unable to obtain a culture then they just tell me not to worry about it. If I do a culture locally, then just bring a copy of the results next time I am in clinic. I have never been swabbed. The only time I am swabbed is if they suspect strep throat or something to that nature, but not for a CF culture. I also can't drop off a sample. I am 2 hrs away from my clinic.

blindhearted · Dec 17, 2007

When I go to my CF Center, they give me a cup to spit in, but somehow my body knows when this happens and refuses to let me cough anything up. If I am unable to obtain a culture then they just tell me not to worry about it. If I do a culture locally, then just bring a copy of the results next time I am in clinic. I have never been swabbed. The only time I am swabbed is if they suspect strep throat or something to that nature, but not for a CF culture. I also can't drop off a sample. I am 2 hrs away from my clinic.

blindhearted · Dec 17, 2007

When I go to my CF Center, they give me a cup to spit in, but somehow my body knows when this happens and refuses to let me cough anything up. If I am unable to obtain a culture then they just tell me not to worry about it. If I do a culture locally, then just bring a copy of the results next time I am in clinic. I have never been swabbed. The only time I am swabbed is if they suspect strep throat or something to that nature, but not for a CF culture. I also can't drop off a sample. I am 2 hrs away from my clinic.

blindhearted · Dec 17, 2007

When I go to my CF Center, they give me a cup to spit in, but somehow my body knows when this happens and refuses to let me cough anything up. If I am unable to obtain a culture then they just tell me not to worry about it. If I do a culture locally, then just bring a copy of the results next time I am in clinic. I have never been swabbed. The only time I am swabbed is if they suspect strep throat or something to that nature, but not for a CF culture. I also can't drop off a sample. I am 2 hrs away from my clinic.

blindhearted · Dec 17, 2007

When I go to my CF Center, they give me a cup to spit in, but somehow my body knows when this happens and refuses to let me cough anything up. If I am unable to obtain a culture then they just tell me not to worry about it. If I do a culture locally, then just bring a copy of the results next time I am in clinic. I have never been swabbed. The only time I am swabbed is if they suspect strep throat or something to that nature, but not for a CF culture. I also can't drop off a sample. I am 2 hrs away from my clinic.

65rosessamurai · Dec 17, 2007

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>blindhearted</b></i>

When I go to my CF Center, they give me a cup to spit in, but somehow my body knows when this happens and refuses to let me cough anything up. If I am unable to obtain a culture then they just tell me not to worry about it. If I do a culture locally, then just bring a copy of the results next time I am in clinic. I have never been swabbed. The only time I am swabbed is if they suspect strep throat or something to that nature, but not for a CF culture. I also can't drop off a sample. I am 2 hrs away from my clinic.</end quote></div>

I seem to have the same problem...coughing a bunch up til the doc says "ok, fill this cup, now!". I'm not asked for a sample all the time, so I don't know when he's gonna ask...in the meantime, I'm filling tissue-after-tissue of potential samples! lol

I was swabbed while living in the states, but they often have asked for samples these days! But, in comparison to my last doc, at least he's doing cultures!! (I was never asked for samples til I met this doc!)

One thought coming to mind is if there is a blood test taken with the swab test? It seems the combination of the two may suggest appropriate action, not just the swabbing!

65rosessamurai · Dec 17, 2007

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>blindhearted</b></i>

When I go to my CF Center, they give me a cup to spit in, but somehow my body knows when this happens and refuses to let me cough anything up. If I am unable to obtain a culture then they just tell me not to worry about it. If I do a culture locally, then just bring a copy of the results next time I am in clinic. I have never been swabbed. The only time I am swabbed is if they suspect strep throat or something to that nature, but not for a CF culture. I also can't drop off a sample. I am 2 hrs away from my clinic.</end quote></div>

I seem to have the same problem...coughing a bunch up til the doc says "ok, fill this cup, now!". I'm not asked for a sample all the time, so I don't know when he's gonna ask...in the meantime, I'm filling tissue-after-tissue of potential samples! lol

I was swabbed while living in the states, but they often have asked for samples these days! But, in comparison to my last doc, at least he's doing cultures!! (I was never asked for samples til I met this doc!)

One thought coming to mind is if there is a blood test taken with the swab test? It seems the combination of the two may suggest appropriate action, not just the swabbing!

65rosessamurai · Dec 17, 2007

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>blindhearted</b></i>

When I go to my CF Center, they give me a cup to spit in, but somehow my body knows when this happens and refuses to let me cough anything up. If I am unable to obtain a culture then they just tell me not to worry about it. If I do a culture locally, then just bring a copy of the results next time I am in clinic. I have never been swabbed. The only time I am swabbed is if they suspect strep throat or something to that nature, but not for a CF culture. I also can't drop off a sample. I am 2 hrs away from my clinic.</end quote></div>

I seem to have the same problem...coughing a bunch up til the doc says "ok, fill this cup, now!". I'm not asked for a sample all the time, so I don't know when he's gonna ask...in the meantime, I'm filling tissue-after-tissue of potential samples! lol

I was swabbed while living in the states, but they often have asked for samples these days! But, in comparison to my last doc, at least he's doing cultures!! (I was never asked for samples til I met this doc!)

One thought coming to mind is if there is a blood test taken with the swab test? It seems the combination of the two may suggest appropriate action, not just the swabbing!

65rosessamurai · Dec 17, 2007

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>blindhearted</b></i>

When I go to my CF Center, they give me a cup to spit in, but somehow my body knows when this happens and refuses to let me cough anything up. If I am unable to obtain a culture then they just tell me not to worry about it. If I do a culture locally, then just bring a copy of the results next time I am in clinic. I have never been swabbed. The only time I am swabbed is if they suspect strep throat or something to that nature, but not for a CF culture. I also can't drop off a sample. I am 2 hrs away from my clinic.</end quote>

I seem to have the same problem...coughing a bunch up til the doc says "ok, fill this cup, now!". I'm not asked for a sample all the time, so I don't know when he's gonna ask...in the meantime, I'm filling tissue-after-tissue of potential samples! lol

I was swabbed while living in the states, but they often have asked for samples these days! But, in comparison to my last doc, at least he's doing cultures!! (I was never asked for samples til I met this doc!)

One thought coming to mind is if there is a blood test taken with the swab test? It seems the combination of the two may suggest appropriate action, not just the swabbing!

65rosessamurai · Dec 17, 2007

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>blindhearted</b></i>

When I go to my CF Center, they give me a cup to spit in, but somehow my body knows when this happens and refuses to let me cough anything up. If I am unable to obtain a culture then they just tell me not to worry about it. If I do a culture locally, then just bring a copy of the results next time I am in clinic. I have never been swabbed. The only time I am swabbed is if they suspect strep throat or something to that nature, but not for a CF culture. I also can't drop off a sample. I am 2 hrs away from my clinic.</end quote>

I seem to have the same problem...coughing a bunch up til the doc says "ok, fill this cup, now!". I'm not asked for a sample all the time, so I don't know when he's gonna ask...in the meantime, I'm filling tissue-after-tissue of potential samples! lol

I was swabbed while living in the states, but they often have asked for samples these days! But, in comparison to my last doc, at least he's doing cultures!! (I was never asked for samples til I met this doc!)

One thought coming to mind is if there is a blood test taken with the swab test? It seems the combination of the two may suggest appropriate action, not just the swabbing!

mom2lillian · Dec 17, 2007

Easiest solution would be to become productive so here are my ?'s for htat? I am sure you have already crossed these off your list but jut incase: have you ever spent some time with a respiratory therapist to show you the true proper breathign techniques and huffing and different ways to make a positive pressure in your lungs?

next, my cultures are sent through a local hospital so do you know if you took a cup home when you have an appt could you get somethig out the night before and save it or could you take a cup home and then when you DO get soemthing send it off yourself? Could you use a local doc for the culture drop off point?

One really good way I have found to get something out (in addition to drinking massive quantities of water) is to take a smaller than normal breathe in and hold it, then each time you start to feel like you need air take in about that same size of breathe, continuing to not let out the previous air, continue doing this and eventually your body will force all air out of your lungs in a rush (and you will feel breathless) but it essentially makes a positive pressure in your lungs and get something out for me most of the time, that followed by huffifng and then I repeat the cycle.

I would think sinc eyou are not getting cultured that could be part of the problem you are having lately. Since they dont have appropriate culture they may not be using right abx combo or you may be culturing something new that they dont know about.

mom2lillian · Dec 17, 2007

Easiest solution would be to become productive so here are my ?'s for htat? I am sure you have already crossed these off your list but jut incase: have you ever spent some time with a respiratory therapist to show you the true proper breathign techniques and huffing and different ways to make a positive pressure in your lungs?

next, my cultures are sent through a local hospital so do you know if you took a cup home when you have an appt could you get somethig out the night before and save it or could you take a cup home and then when you DO get soemthing send it off yourself? Could you use a local doc for the culture drop off point?

One really good way I have found to get something out (in addition to drinking massive quantities of water) is to take a smaller than normal breathe in and hold it, then each time you start to feel like you need air take in about that same size of breathe, continuing to not let out the previous air, continue doing this and eventually your body will force all air out of your lungs in a rush (and you will feel breathless) but it essentially makes a positive pressure in your lungs and get something out for me most of the time, that followed by huffifng and then I repeat the cycle.

I would think sinc eyou are not getting cultured that could be part of the problem you are having lately. Since they dont have appropriate culture they may not be using right abx combo or you may be culturing something new that they dont know about.

mom2lillian · Dec 17, 2007

Easiest solution would be to become productive so here are my ?'s for htat? I am sure you have already crossed these off your list but jut incase: have you ever spent some time with a respiratory therapist to show you the true proper breathign techniques and huffing and different ways to make a positive pressure in your lungs?

next, my cultures are sent through a local hospital so do you know if you took a cup home when you have an appt could you get somethig out the night before and save it or could you take a cup home and then when you DO get soemthing send it off yourself? Could you use a local doc for the culture drop off point?

One really good way I have found to get something out (in addition to drinking massive quantities of water) is to take a smaller than normal breathe in and hold it, then each time you start to feel like you need air take in about that same size of breathe, continuing to not let out the previous air, continue doing this and eventually your body will force all air out of your lungs in a rush (and you will feel breathless) but it essentially makes a positive pressure in your lungs and get something out for me most of the time, that followed by huffifng and then I repeat the cycle.

I would think sinc eyou are not getting cultured that could be part of the problem you are having lately. Since they dont have appropriate culture they may not be using right abx combo or you may be culturing something new that they dont know about.

mom2lillian · Dec 17, 2007

Easiest solution would be to become productive so here are my ?'s for htat? I am sure you have already crossed these off your list but jut incase: have you ever spent some time with a respiratory therapist to show you the true proper breathign techniques and huffing and different ways to make a positive pressure in your lungs?

next, my cultures are sent through a local hospital so do you know if you took a cup home when you have an appt could you get somethig out the night before and save it or could you take a cup home and then when you DO get soemthing send it off yourself? Could you use a local doc for the culture drop off point?

One really good way I have found to get something out (in addition to drinking massive quantities of water) is to take a smaller than normal breathe in and hold it, then each time you start to feel like you need air take in about that same size of breathe, continuing to not let out the previous air, continue doing this and eventually your body will force all air out of your lungs in a rush (and you will feel breathless) but it essentially makes a positive pressure in your lungs and get something out for me most of the time, that followed by huffifng and then I repeat the cycle.

I would think sinc eyou are not getting cultured that could be part of the problem you are having lately. Since they dont have appropriate culture they may not be using right abx combo or you may be culturing something new that they dont know about.

mom2lillian · Dec 17, 2007

Easiest solution would be to become productive so here are my ?'s for htat? I am sure you have already crossed these off your list but jut incase: have you ever spent some time with a respiratory therapist to show you the true proper breathign techniques and huffing and different ways to make a positive pressure in your lungs?

next, my cultures are sent through a local hospital so do you know if you took a cup home when you have an appt could you get somethig out the night before and save it or could you take a cup home and then when you DO get soemthing send it off yourself? Could you use a local doc for the culture drop off point?

One really good way I have found to get something out (in addition to drinking massive quantities of water) is to take a smaller than normal breathe in and hold it, then each time you start to feel like you need air take in about that same size of breathe, continuing to not let out the previous air, continue doing this and eventually your body will force all air out of your lungs in a rush (and you will feel breathless) but it essentially makes a positive pressure in your lungs and get something out for me most of the time, that followed by huffifng and then I repeat the cycle.

I would think sinc eyou are not getting cultured that could be part of the problem you are having lately. Since they dont have appropriate culture they may not be using right abx combo or you may be culturing something new that they dont know about.

Ratatosk · Dec 17, 2007