Mr. Asthma

Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> It is mostly yellow, sometimes white.  The Pulmonary doctor said it > is better that I am still able to cough it up–this was about a month > ago.  He was not concerned. > During routine blood work this past week, I had an elevated > WBC.  I will talk to the family doc this week. > Can the stuff I am still coughing up and the WBC be related? > You might still have a lingering infection. > Or maybe chronic bronchitis. > Should I call the Pulmonary specialist? > Yes.  Have a sputum culture tested for infection.  A sputum culture done > by saline lavage is best–samples the junk down there without > contaminating it too much with post nasal drip (which might have > different bugs in it). > I am open for any suggestions!  BTW–I do take a full > menu of asthma meds–(flovent/seravent, allegra, humibid) > What antibiotics were you on? > When did you stop taking them?

When I was diagnosed with the pneumonia back in March, I was on Vantin, for 21 days. The 1st 5-8 days, I was basically on the sofa. I was really, really weak.  After about day 10, I started to resume somewhat normal activities. 10 days after completing the vantin, a fever returned and pain in my back; I then took avelox for 14 days.   Since then, a nagging cough that never went away.  In the morning after using the neb–I can bring all kinds of stuff up; NEVER was like this before the penmonia. In June, the doctor said I was ok, continue with regular meds. I will call on Tuesday morning and tell him about the elevated wbc.  Thanks – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> — > Steven D. Litvintchouk

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Hi–I have asthma–controlled fairly well until this past spring. > I had a bad bout of pneumonia and since then, still coughing up > junk.  Prior to the pneumonia, I never coughed up stuff! (sorry to > be gross) > It is mostly yellow, sometimes white.  The Pulmonary doctor said it > is better that I am still able to cough it up–this was about a month > ago.  He was not concerned. > During routine blood work this past week, I had an elevated > WBC.  I will talk to the family doc this week. > Can the stuff I am still coughing up and the WBC be related? > Should I call the Pulmonary specialist? > I am more annoyed that I can’t get rid of this junk! > I am open for any suggestions!  BTW–I do take a full > menu of asthma meds–(flovent/seravent, allegra, humibid) > thanks

Pneumonia that doesn’t clear in a few weeks may be something else, maybe a secondary infection. Next step should be to see the pulmo doc for a chest x-ray [these are routinely given for those with persistent pneumonia]. The elevated WBC could be suggesive of another lung condition, like for example ABPA [allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis]. See: http://www.ehendrick.org/healthy/00036780.html Excerpt: "Description ABPA is an allergic reaction to a species of Aspergillus called Aspergillus fumigatus. It is sometimes grouped together with other lung disorders characterized by eosinophilia — an abnormal increase of a certain type of white blood cell in the blood — under the heading of eosinophilic pneumonia. These disorders are also called hypersensitivity lung diseases. ABPA appears to be increasing in frequency in the United States, although the reasons for the increase are not clear. The disorder is most likely to occur in adult asthmatics aged 20-40. It affects males and females equally." E

Response:

Hi–I have asthma–controlled fairly well until this past spring. I had a bad bout of pneumonia and since then, still coughing up junk.  Prior to the pneumonia, I never coughed up stuff! (sorry to be gross) It is mostly yellow, sometimes white.  The Pulmonary doctor said it is better that I am still able to cough it up–this was about a month ago.  He was not concerned. During routine blood work this past week, I had an elevated WBC.  I will talk to the family doc this week. Can the stuff I am still coughing up and the WBC be related? Should I call the Pulmonary specialist? I am more annoyed that I can’t get rid of this junk! I am open for any suggestions!  BTW–I do take a full menu of asthma meds–(flovent/seravent, allegra, humibid) thanks

Response:

> It is mostly yellow, sometimes white.  The Pulmonary doctor said it > is better that I am still able to cough it up–this was about a month > ago.  He was not concerned. > During routine blood work this past week, I had an elevated > WBC.  I will talk to the family doc this week. > Can the stuff I am still coughing up and the WBC be related?

You might still have a lingering infection. Or maybe chronic bronchitis. > Should I call the Pulmonary specialist?

Yes.  Have a sputum culture tested for infection.  A sputum culture done by saline lavage is best–samples the junk down there without contaminating it too much with post nasal drip (which might have different bugs in it). > I am open for any suggestions!  BTW–I do take a full > menu of asthma meds–(flovent/seravent, allegra, humibid)

What antibiotics were you on? When did you stop taking them? — Steven D. Litvintchouk                  

Response: