**Update**New to board with lots of questions.....

Mariosmom

New member
My son had the sweat test today and his level was 11. They also did the Ambry test (wont get the results for a few weeks), but they were fairly confident with today's results. My son is still breathing very hard, so they are scheduling a CT to rule out some of the ILDs and will bronch him again after he finishes his antibiotics to see if the bacteria is gone.

Thank you all so much for your input!!!



********************************************************************

Hello all and thank you all so much for this site!

My son started having respiratory distress in mid October. His sypmtoms were coughing, rapid and labored breathing. He was diagnosed with bronchiolitis, then asthma and then viral pneumonia. He has been hospitalized 5 times for the distress. He has needed supplemental oxygen for 3 of the visits. On our last visit the Pulmonologist did a bronchoscopy. They found no anatomical abnormalities but the lungs were inflamed. The cultures all appeared to be negative at first, but then they found a slow growing staph (5 days after procedure). They put him on antibiotics and ordered a CT and a sweat test. We had the sweat test on Tuesday of this week and my son didn't sweat enough (even though he was VERY hydrated) so the test was invalid. We received a call from the Children's hospital yesterday and were told that they found pseudomonas on one of his cultures. It's been 4 1/2 weeks since the bronch, so I'm confused as to why it is just now showing up. He is going to be taking Cipro and Tobi for 3 weeks and then will have another bronch to see if the psuedo is gone.

His only symptoms now are rapid and labored breathing. He hasn't had a cough in over a month. We have our next sweat test next Wednesday. Hopefully they can get enough this time. He has also had the basic genetic panel done and tested negative for the most common genes. No one in either my or DH's family has ever been dx with CF.

He also has had severe reflux since birth. He still coughs quite a bit while drinking his bottle and I know reflux can cause breathing difficulties. The asthma medications (flo-vent and albuterol) never seem to make a difference in his breathing.

Not sure if anyone has the answers, but here are my questions:

1. Is it common for psuedo to take this long to grow on a culture?
2. Is psuedo found in the lungs ever associated with anything other than CF?
3. Is there anything more I can do to better prepare him for the sweat test?
4. With his symptoms, does this look like CF? (I need to prepare myself for the diagnosis if so)
5. My sons breathing seemed to get much better for about 10 days after the bronch, then deteriorated again. Is this common with a bronch?
6. Is it possible that the bacteria could be from aspiration from the reflux?

Again, thank you so much for reading this. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
 

Mariosmom

New member
My son had the sweat test today and his level was 11. They also did the Ambry test (wont get the results for a few weeks), but they were fairly confident with today's results. My son is still breathing very hard, so they are scheduling a CT to rule out some of the ILDs and will bronch him again after he finishes his antibiotics to see if the bacteria is gone.

Thank you all so much for your input!!!



********************************************************************

Hello all and thank you all so much for this site!

My son started having respiratory distress in mid October. His sypmtoms were coughing, rapid and labored breathing. He was diagnosed with bronchiolitis, then asthma and then viral pneumonia. He has been hospitalized 5 times for the distress. He has needed supplemental oxygen for 3 of the visits. On our last visit the Pulmonologist did a bronchoscopy. They found no anatomical abnormalities but the lungs were inflamed. The cultures all appeared to be negative at first, but then they found a slow growing staph (5 days after procedure). They put him on antibiotics and ordered a CT and a sweat test. We had the sweat test on Tuesday of this week and my son didn't sweat enough (even though he was VERY hydrated) so the test was invalid. We received a call from the Children's hospital yesterday and were told that they found pseudomonas on one of his cultures. It's been 4 1/2 weeks since the bronch, so I'm confused as to why it is just now showing up. He is going to be taking Cipro and Tobi for 3 weeks and then will have another bronch to see if the psuedo is gone.

His only symptoms now are rapid and labored breathing. He hasn't had a cough in over a month. We have our next sweat test next Wednesday. Hopefully they can get enough this time. He has also had the basic genetic panel done and tested negative for the most common genes. No one in either my or DH's family has ever been dx with CF.

He also has had severe reflux since birth. He still coughs quite a bit while drinking his bottle and I know reflux can cause breathing difficulties. The asthma medications (flo-vent and albuterol) never seem to make a difference in his breathing.

Not sure if anyone has the answers, but here are my questions:

1. Is it common for psuedo to take this long to grow on a culture?
2. Is psuedo found in the lungs ever associated with anything other than CF?
3. Is there anything more I can do to better prepare him for the sweat test?
4. With his symptoms, does this look like CF? (I need to prepare myself for the diagnosis if so)
5. My sons breathing seemed to get much better for about 10 days after the bronch, then deteriorated again. Is this common with a bronch?
6. Is it possible that the bacteria could be from aspiration from the reflux?

Again, thank you so much for reading this. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
 

Mariosmom

New member
My son had the sweat test today and his level was 11. They also did the Ambry test (wont get the results for a few weeks), but they were fairly confident with today's results. My son is still breathing very hard, so they are scheduling a CT to rule out some of the ILDs and will bronch him again after he finishes his antibiotics to see if the bacteria is gone.

Thank you all so much for your input!!!



********************************************************************

Hello all and thank you all so much for this site!

My son started having respiratory distress in mid October. His sypmtoms were coughing, rapid and labored breathing. He was diagnosed with bronchiolitis, then asthma and then viral pneumonia. He has been hospitalized 5 times for the distress. He has needed supplemental oxygen for 3 of the visits. On our last visit the Pulmonologist did a bronchoscopy. They found no anatomical abnormalities but the lungs were inflamed. The cultures all appeared to be negative at first, but then they found a slow growing staph (5 days after procedure). They put him on antibiotics and ordered a CT and a sweat test. We had the sweat test on Tuesday of this week and my son didn't sweat enough (even though he was VERY hydrated) so the test was invalid. We received a call from the Children's hospital yesterday and were told that they found pseudomonas on one of his cultures. It's been 4 1/2 weeks since the bronch, so I'm confused as to why it is just now showing up. He is going to be taking Cipro and Tobi for 3 weeks and then will have another bronch to see if the psuedo is gone.

His only symptoms now are rapid and labored breathing. He hasn't had a cough in over a month. We have our next sweat test next Wednesday. Hopefully they can get enough this time. He has also had the basic genetic panel done and tested negative for the most common genes. No one in either my or DH's family has ever been dx with CF.

He also has had severe reflux since birth. He still coughs quite a bit while drinking his bottle and I know reflux can cause breathing difficulties. The asthma medications (flo-vent and albuterol) never seem to make a difference in his breathing.

Not sure if anyone has the answers, but here are my questions:

1. Is it common for psuedo to take this long to grow on a culture?
2. Is psuedo found in the lungs ever associated with anything other than CF?
3. Is there anything more I can do to better prepare him for the sweat test?
4. With his symptoms, does this look like CF? (I need to prepare myself for the diagnosis if so)
5. My sons breathing seemed to get much better for about 10 days after the bronch, then deteriorated again. Is this common with a bronch?
6. Is it possible that the bacteria could be from aspiration from the reflux?

Again, thank you so much for reading this. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
 

Mariosmom

New member
My son had the sweat test today and his level was 11. They also did the Ambry test (wont get the results for a few weeks), but they were fairly confident with today's results. My son is still breathing very hard, so they are scheduling a CT to rule out some of the ILDs and will bronch him again after he finishes his antibiotics to see if the bacteria is gone.

Thank you all so much for your input!!!



********************************************************************

Hello all and thank you all so much for this site!

My son started having respiratory distress in mid October. His sypmtoms were coughing, rapid and labored breathing. He was diagnosed with bronchiolitis, then asthma and then viral pneumonia. He has been hospitalized 5 times for the distress. He has needed supplemental oxygen for 3 of the visits. On our last visit the Pulmonologist did a bronchoscopy. They found no anatomical abnormalities but the lungs were inflamed. The cultures all appeared to be negative at first, but then they found a slow growing staph (5 days after procedure). They put him on antibiotics and ordered a CT and a sweat test. We had the sweat test on Tuesday of this week and my son didn't sweat enough (even though he was VERY hydrated) so the test was invalid. We received a call from the Children's hospital yesterday and were told that they found pseudomonas on one of his cultures. It's been 4 1/2 weeks since the bronch, so I'm confused as to why it is just now showing up. He is going to be taking Cipro and Tobi for 3 weeks and then will have another bronch to see if the psuedo is gone.

His only symptoms now are rapid and labored breathing. He hasn't had a cough in over a month. We have our next sweat test next Wednesday. Hopefully they can get enough this time. He has also had the basic genetic panel done and tested negative for the most common genes. No one in either my or DH's family has ever been dx with CF.

He also has had severe reflux since birth. He still coughs quite a bit while drinking his bottle and I know reflux can cause breathing difficulties. The asthma medications (flo-vent and albuterol) never seem to make a difference in his breathing.

Not sure if anyone has the answers, but here are my questions:

1. Is it common for psuedo to take this long to grow on a culture?
2. Is psuedo found in the lungs ever associated with anything other than CF?
3. Is there anything more I can do to better prepare him for the sweat test?
4. With his symptoms, does this look like CF? (I need to prepare myself for the diagnosis if so)
5. My sons breathing seemed to get much better for about 10 days after the bronch, then deteriorated again. Is this common with a bronch?
6. Is it possible that the bacteria could be from aspiration from the reflux?

Again, thank you so much for reading this. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
 

Mariosmom

New member
My son had the sweat test today and his level was 11. They also did the Ambry test (wont get the results for a few weeks), but they were fairly confident with today's results. My son is still breathing very hard, so they are scheduling a CT to rule out some of the ILDs and will bronch him again after he finishes his antibiotics to see if the bacteria is gone.

Thank you all so much for your input!!!



********************************************************************

Hello all and thank you all so much for this site!

My son started having respiratory distress in mid October. His sypmtoms were coughing, rapid and labored breathing. He was diagnosed with bronchiolitis, then asthma and then viral pneumonia. He has been hospitalized 5 times for the distress. He has needed supplemental oxygen for 3 of the visits. On our last visit the Pulmonologist did a bronchoscopy. They found no anatomical abnormalities but the lungs were inflamed. The cultures all appeared to be negative at first, but then they found a slow growing staph (5 days after procedure). They put him on antibiotics and ordered a CT and a sweat test. We had the sweat test on Tuesday of this week and my son didn't sweat enough (even though he was VERY hydrated) so the test was invalid. We received a call from the Children's hospital yesterday and were told that they found pseudomonas on one of his cultures. It's been 4 1/2 weeks since the bronch, so I'm confused as to why it is just now showing up. He is going to be taking Cipro and Tobi for 3 weeks and then will have another bronch to see if the psuedo is gone.

His only symptoms now are rapid and labored breathing. He hasn't had a cough in over a month. We have our next sweat test next Wednesday. Hopefully they can get enough this time. He has also had the basic genetic panel done and tested negative for the most common genes. No one in either my or DH's family has ever been dx with CF.

He also has had severe reflux since birth. He still coughs quite a bit while drinking his bottle and I know reflux can cause breathing difficulties. The asthma medications (flo-vent and albuterol) never seem to make a difference in his breathing.

Not sure if anyone has the answers, but here are my questions:

1. Is it common for psuedo to take this long to grow on a culture?
2. Is psuedo found in the lungs ever associated with anything other than CF?
3. Is there anything more I can do to better prepare him for the sweat test?
4. With his symptoms, does this look like CF? (I need to prepare myself for the diagnosis if so)
5. My sons breathing seemed to get much better for about 10 days after the bronch, then deteriorated again. Is this common with a bronch?
6. Is it possible that the bacteria could be from aspiration from the reflux?

Again, thank you so much for reading this. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
 

NoExcuses

New member
New to board with lots of questions.....

1. PA shouldn't take that long to grow in a culture. But who knows if the lab messed up or the doc messed up. These things happen sometimes and often times docs or labs don't admit these mistakes

2. PA sometimes is found in the lungs of AIDS patients or cancer patients..... but that's about it

3. To prepare for the sweat test, demand a full panel CF genetic test from the doc. Sweat tests are old-school and aren't as accurate as 1300 mutation CF genetic tests. Ambry is the company that does these tests and your doctor MUST gene test

4. Sounds like CF to me.... but we won't be 100% sure until he gets the genetic test

5. i don't have much experience with the bronch

6. Aspirations can cause bacterial growth. Reflux is very very common with CF patients


Good luck.
 

NoExcuses

New member
New to board with lots of questions.....

1. PA shouldn't take that long to grow in a culture. But who knows if the lab messed up or the doc messed up. These things happen sometimes and often times docs or labs don't admit these mistakes

2. PA sometimes is found in the lungs of AIDS patients or cancer patients..... but that's about it

3. To prepare for the sweat test, demand a full panel CF genetic test from the doc. Sweat tests are old-school and aren't as accurate as 1300 mutation CF genetic tests. Ambry is the company that does these tests and your doctor MUST gene test

4. Sounds like CF to me.... but we won't be 100% sure until he gets the genetic test

5. i don't have much experience with the bronch

6. Aspirations can cause bacterial growth. Reflux is very very common with CF patients


Good luck.
 

NoExcuses

New member
New to board with lots of questions.....

1. PA shouldn't take that long to grow in a culture. But who knows if the lab messed up or the doc messed up. These things happen sometimes and often times docs or labs don't admit these mistakes

2. PA sometimes is found in the lungs of AIDS patients or cancer patients..... but that's about it

3. To prepare for the sweat test, demand a full panel CF genetic test from the doc. Sweat tests are old-school and aren't as accurate as 1300 mutation CF genetic tests. Ambry is the company that does these tests and your doctor MUST gene test

4. Sounds like CF to me.... but we won't be 100% sure until he gets the genetic test

5. i don't have much experience with the bronch

6. Aspirations can cause bacterial growth. Reflux is very very common with CF patients


Good luck.
 

NoExcuses

New member
New to board with lots of questions.....

1. PA shouldn't take that long to grow in a culture. But who knows if the lab messed up or the doc messed up. These things happen sometimes and often times docs or labs don't admit these mistakes

2. PA sometimes is found in the lungs of AIDS patients or cancer patients..... but that's about it

3. To prepare for the sweat test, demand a full panel CF genetic test from the doc. Sweat tests are old-school and aren't as accurate as 1300 mutation CF genetic tests. Ambry is the company that does these tests and your doctor MUST gene test

4. Sounds like CF to me.... but we won't be 100% sure until he gets the genetic test

5. i don't have much experience with the bronch

6. Aspirations can cause bacterial growth. Reflux is very very common with CF patients


Good luck.
 

NoExcuses

New member
New to board with lots of questions.....

1. PA shouldn't take that long to grow in a culture. But who knows if the lab messed up or the doc messed up. These things happen sometimes and often times docs or labs don't admit these mistakes

2. PA sometimes is found in the lungs of AIDS patients or cancer patients..... but that's about it

3. To prepare for the sweat test, demand a full panel CF genetic test from the doc. Sweat tests are old-school and aren't as accurate as 1300 mutation CF genetic tests. Ambry is the company that does these tests and your doctor MUST gene test

4. Sounds like CF to me.... but we won't be 100% sure until he gets the genetic test

5. i don't have much experience with the bronch

6. Aspirations can cause bacterial growth. Reflux is very very common with CF patients


Good luck.
 
B

brewz2

Guest
New to board with lots of questions.....

Well, unfortunately the waiting game is the hardest part. My daughter was dxd at two, and when she got sick, she seemed to have the labored breathing, which they dxd as asthma. She also had a lot of reflux as a baby.

Other things to look for are the common - greasy, foul smelling poo - and a lot of it. Not all CF patients have this problem, but it is one of the signs of CF.

Another little test you can do on your own is the kissing test. Both of my children tast like salt sticks if you lick your lips and kiss them. I know it sounds crazy, but it is true.

Like I always say, don't borrow tomorrows problems - I know it's easier said than done, but the sweat test, and more gene testing should give you your answers.

tracey, mom to sydney (6) and Seth (2) w/cf, DF508
 
B

brewz2

Guest
New to board with lots of questions.....

Well, unfortunately the waiting game is the hardest part. My daughter was dxd at two, and when she got sick, she seemed to have the labored breathing, which they dxd as asthma. She also had a lot of reflux as a baby.

Other things to look for are the common - greasy, foul smelling poo - and a lot of it. Not all CF patients have this problem, but it is one of the signs of CF.

Another little test you can do on your own is the kissing test. Both of my children tast like salt sticks if you lick your lips and kiss them. I know it sounds crazy, but it is true.

Like I always say, don't borrow tomorrows problems - I know it's easier said than done, but the sweat test, and more gene testing should give you your answers.

tracey, mom to sydney (6) and Seth (2) w/cf, DF508
 
B

brewz2

Guest
New to board with lots of questions.....

Well, unfortunately the waiting game is the hardest part. My daughter was dxd at two, and when she got sick, she seemed to have the labored breathing, which they dxd as asthma. She also had a lot of reflux as a baby.

Other things to look for are the common - greasy, foul smelling poo - and a lot of it. Not all CF patients have this problem, but it is one of the signs of CF.

Another little test you can do on your own is the kissing test. Both of my children tast like salt sticks if you lick your lips and kiss them. I know it sounds crazy, but it is true.

Like I always say, don't borrow tomorrows problems - I know it's easier said than done, but the sweat test, and more gene testing should give you your answers.

tracey, mom to sydney (6) and Seth (2) w/cf, DF508
 
B

brewz2

Guest
New to board with lots of questions.....

Well, unfortunately the waiting game is the hardest part. My daughter was dxd at two, and when she got sick, she seemed to have the labored breathing, which they dxd as asthma. She also had a lot of reflux as a baby.

Other things to look for are the common - greasy, foul smelling poo - and a lot of it. Not all CF patients have this problem, but it is one of the signs of CF.

Another little test you can do on your own is the kissing test. Both of my children tast like salt sticks if you lick your lips and kiss them. I know it sounds crazy, but it is true.

Like I always say, don't borrow tomorrows problems - I know it's easier said than done, but the sweat test, and more gene testing should give you your answers.

tracey, mom to sydney (6) and Seth (2) w/cf, DF508
 
B

brewz2

Guest
New to board with lots of questions.....

Well, unfortunately the waiting game is the hardest part. My daughter was dxd at two, and when she got sick, she seemed to have the labored breathing, which they dxd as asthma. She also had a lot of reflux as a baby.

Other things to look for are the common - greasy, foul smelling poo - and a lot of it. Not all CF patients have this problem, but it is one of the signs of CF.

Another little test you can do on your own is the kissing test. Both of my children tast like salt sticks if you lick your lips and kiss them. I know it sounds crazy, but it is true.

Like I always say, don't borrow tomorrows problems - I know it's easier said than done, but the sweat test, and more gene testing should give you your answers.

tracey, mom to sydney (6) and Seth (2) w/cf, DF508
 

Rebjane

Super Moderator
New to board with lots of questions.....

Michelle,

I am sorry you and your son have to go through all of this. I would absolutely push for a full panel genetic blood test for CF for your son, now. There are over 1000 mutations for CF and some panels only test for the most common ones(most likely a $ issue). I Agree that is does not take that long for pseudomonas to show up on a culture report. Could have been a lack of communication on the doc's part, lab's part, who knows. Usually, it takes 2 days for bacteria to grow, then they plate for "sensitivities"; to find out what antibiotics the bacteria is sensitive to. Total could take up to a week tops. I would request a copy of your son's medical record; all you need is to sign a release form to get a copy. To find an accredidated CF center near you go to www.cff.org. We have no family history of CF in our family either(that we know of) My daughter has CF. Sounds like you are asking all the right questions, don't stop til you get the answers.
 

Rebjane

Super Moderator
New to board with lots of questions.....

Michelle,

I am sorry you and your son have to go through all of this. I would absolutely push for a full panel genetic blood test for CF for your son, now. There are over 1000 mutations for CF and some panels only test for the most common ones(most likely a $ issue). I Agree that is does not take that long for pseudomonas to show up on a culture report. Could have been a lack of communication on the doc's part, lab's part, who knows. Usually, it takes 2 days for bacteria to grow, then they plate for "sensitivities"; to find out what antibiotics the bacteria is sensitive to. Total could take up to a week tops. I would request a copy of your son's medical record; all you need is to sign a release form to get a copy. To find an accredidated CF center near you go to www.cff.org. We have no family history of CF in our family either(that we know of) My daughter has CF. Sounds like you are asking all the right questions, don't stop til you get the answers.
 

Rebjane

Super Moderator
New to board with lots of questions.....

Michelle,

I am sorry you and your son have to go through all of this. I would absolutely push for a full panel genetic blood test for CF for your son, now. There are over 1000 mutations for CF and some panels only test for the most common ones(most likely a $ issue). I Agree that is does not take that long for pseudomonas to show up on a culture report. Could have been a lack of communication on the doc's part, lab's part, who knows. Usually, it takes 2 days for bacteria to grow, then they plate for "sensitivities"; to find out what antibiotics the bacteria is sensitive to. Total could take up to a week tops. I would request a copy of your son's medical record; all you need is to sign a release form to get a copy. To find an accredidated CF center near you go to www.cff.org. We have no family history of CF in our family either(that we know of) My daughter has CF. Sounds like you are asking all the right questions, don't stop til you get the answers.
 

Rebjane

Super Moderator
New to board with lots of questions.....

Michelle,

I am sorry you and your son have to go through all of this. I would absolutely push for a full panel genetic blood test for CF for your son, now. There are over 1000 mutations for CF and some panels only test for the most common ones(most likely a $ issue). I Agree that is does not take that long for pseudomonas to show up on a culture report. Could have been a lack of communication on the doc's part, lab's part, who knows. Usually, it takes 2 days for bacteria to grow, then they plate for "sensitivities"; to find out what antibiotics the bacteria is sensitive to. Total could take up to a week tops. I would request a copy of your son's medical record; all you need is to sign a release form to get a copy. To find an accredidated CF center near you go to www.cff.org. We have no family history of CF in our family either(that we know of) My daughter has CF. Sounds like you are asking all the right questions, don't stop til you get the answers.
 

Rebjane

Super Moderator
New to board with lots of questions.....

Michelle,

I am sorry you and your son have to go through all of this. I would absolutely push for a full panel genetic blood test for CF for your son, now. There are over 1000 mutations for CF and some panels only test for the most common ones(most likely a $ issue). I Agree that is does not take that long for pseudomonas to show up on a culture report. Could have been a lack of communication on the doc's part, lab's part, who knows. Usually, it takes 2 days for bacteria to grow, then they plate for "sensitivities"; to find out what antibiotics the bacteria is sensitive to. Total could take up to a week tops. I would request a copy of your son's medical record; all you need is to sign a release form to get a copy. To find an accredidated CF center near you go to www.cff.org. We have no family history of CF in our family either(that we know of) My daughter has CF. Sounds like you are asking all the right questions, don't stop til you get the answers.
 
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