Pseudomonas

Hi there,
I have an inkling what might be the difference between mucoid and non-mucoid pseudomonas, but don't want too give you any false information with what they mean. Doing a quick search unfortuantely, just brings up a load of sciency rubbish that I can't get my head round.

If I was in your situation, I wouldn't be happy with the doctors explanation.
I once read somewhere, that pseudomonas does have to adapt too grow in CF lungs. I'm not sure how reliable that is, but it was a doctor who once told me, as I was really panicking about the fact that psuedo is everywhere.

In the UK, when you first get pseudo, you are tested every 3 months, for a year. I kept getting put on 3 months of nebulised Tobi, then did a cough swab, and if it came back clear, I stopped Tobi, if not I carried on. Pseudo can usualy be eradicated completely in the first year of growing it in your sputum, after that I think it's a little harder.

Usually, if nebulised Tobi doesn't work, then nebulised colomycin (aka colistin/promixin) is a good try. Mainly because if you're unreceptive too one, it's likely your probably receptive too the other.
What I really don't get is the Doctor's comment (although I don't get most doctor's anyway, they say weird things). It's not a full year yet, so there is still a chance too get rid of the pseudomonas. Can I just ask, is your doctor a specialised one or just a paediatrician. When I was little, I had a paed chest doc, who's answer too anything was cough drops, honey flavoured ones too be exact, never a mention of antibiotics, or even extra physio therapy, even when I grew Staph Aureas.

The only trouble is, is that I'm not sure of the ages things can be started on, and for doses and meds that your son will be able too take, will be reliant on knowledge that only doctors hold.

All I can suggest is, again speak too your paediatrician, explain your concerns, and demand an explanation back about his decision.
I personally don't think psuedo should ever be left untreated, especialy in the early stages. Though, that is generallised view, not knowing what mucoid means.

There are different strains of pseudo, and some that are more virulant than others. Maybe it is just a weak type that won't effect your son.

Hope you are keeping well, and hope you get a better explanation soon
Gem

Oh, while I'm thinking of these things. One thing you could try is asking for a letter or something. I tend to get them now and again, if my doctor's have told me something complicated. Mainly because they know I'l only whinge at them later if they forget stuff they've told me. I usually get a copy of the letter that they send too my GP and every other doctor I'm under.

I'm not sure if they have too do this, it's just I asked my docs one time, after I was going home confused and then getting wound up. It would always be worth asking, and it's something you can ask for politley and don't have to demand either.

Good luck in finding a new doc. Not every doc suits every patients needs, so if that's the case, it is best you move onto another doc, as they might just be the one who can understand what you need, and how detailed to go into things.

Gem