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I had an appointment with Carmen today, as a follow-up on my new steroid inhaler, in-person so she could measure my breathing. Even with the twice-a-day inhaler, my lung capacity right after using the albuterol inhaler is significantly higher than without it.
tl;dr: next stop, pulmonology:
The CT scan Wdnesday afternoon found "numerous nodules and opacities...associated with bronchiectasis, bronchial wall thickening, and distal mucous plugging, raising the possibility of mycobacterium avium complex infection. Pulmonology consultation may be of benefit." That's an uncommon infection, rare enough that Carmen muttered "is there even a diagnostic code for this" when she was telling the system why she was referring me to a pulmonologist.
Carmen told me that she was hoping to get me an appointment next week, and then an assistant came in and told us that I have an appointment tomorrow morning.
Googling last night, I learned that mycobacterium avium complex infection is rare, associated with immune-suppressing drugs, and not considered contagious. Also that it's not tuberculosis (this was mentioned explicitly) but is also treated with a six-month course of multiple antibiotics. Diagnostics, in addition to the CT scan, can include culturing a blood sample, or examining sputum from the lungs, which can involve snaking something down the patient's throat.
Also, when I had a physical recently, Carmen said she didn't think I needed an RSV vaccine, and she now thinks it might be a good idea. (I just turned 60, so am eligible, but that immune-suppressant interferes with vaccines.)
tl;dr: next stop, pulmonology:
The CT scan Wdnesday afternoon found "numerous nodules and opacities...associated with bronchiectasis, bronchial wall thickening, and distal mucous plugging, raising the possibility of mycobacterium avium complex infection. Pulmonology consultation may be of benefit." That's an uncommon infection, rare enough that Carmen muttered "is there even a diagnostic code for this" when she was telling the system why she was referring me to a pulmonologist.
Carmen told me that she was hoping to get me an appointment next week, and then an assistant came in and told us that I have an appointment tomorrow morning.
Googling last night, I learned that mycobacterium avium complex infection is rare, associated with immune-suppressing drugs, and not considered contagious. Also that it's not tuberculosis (this was mentioned explicitly) but is also treated with a six-month course of multiple antibiotics. Diagnostics, in addition to the CT scan, can include culturing a blood sample, or examining sputum from the lungs, which can involve snaking something down the patient's throat.
Also, when I had a physical recently, Carmen said she didn't think I needed an RSV vaccine, and she now thinks it might be a good idea. (I just turned 60, so am eligible, but that immune-suppressant interferes with vaccines.)
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