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Hi, RedTop: I also feel I have bacterial pnuemonia. Sputum culture after first bout with pnuemonia (2009) (by GP) was positive, so I was put on antibiotics. Sputum culture was done in December or Januaryof this year before approval for knee replacement, again came back positive.

I have had chest sounds since 2009 pnuemonia--wheezing, rasping, rattle, etc. Seen doctor (GP) and allergist who sent me to a pulmonologist. Quack, quack, quack. He gave me approval for knee replacement based on a lung function test in which my lung capacity and breathing out was normal but he suspected bracieteasis. (spelling, sorry) Family doctor said no to surgery--too many lung sounds and if I had the bracieteasis, that mean there was bacteria, which would invade the knee replacement, then I would have really big problems with the knee replacement.

Went to another pulmonologist--he redid my sleep study test--adjusted CPAP machine, ordered a CT scan of lungs--found two opaque areas one on each lobe, so would not get release for surgery. I go back to him on March 17. I have a feeling he will order the bronchoscopy and if he doesn't I will insist it be done.

Are you a nurse, a doctor, or what profession? You are the first person who I think has put two and two together. My family doctor has always been vigilant (he is the one who wanted the sputum cultures both times), but since the pulmonologist became involved, he has kind of backed off. So glad he said "no" to the knee replacement surgery. My family doctor said without tests it is difficult to know if it is viral or bacterial. I have my pnuemonia shot (got one YEARS ago) and my doctor said to have another one in November, 2009. Had my flu shot and went back one month later for the pnuemonia shot, then went back one month later for the shingles shot.

I always take my daily medications, take my peak flow, clean and disinfect any apparatus, etc., so I am a very compliant patient. I really have a feeling the 2009 pnuemonia never really went away completely and has been laying there waiting to release its vengence on me again, which it most certainly did.

Again, thank you, Red Top. I do appreciate you sharing your expertise