My love/hate relationship with Arikayce continues. Yes, it appears to have helped with my now 4 negative cultures for MAC and when I met with the Chief Pulmonologist on 2/15 we celebrated and then got down to business. I learned that she and the ID Doc are working closely together to help with my current chief complaint, a decrease in my breathing capacity/shortness of breath and the horse throat that is mostly on going and the white patches on my vocal cords since 7/10/23. My Pulmonologist said that she would like me to first do a CT Scan and a PFT and based on these results and a 5th negative culture which we are expecting, she and the ID Doc may want to discontinue Arikayce at this time. Because of my COPD, it is possible that Arikayce may be too much of an irritation to my lungs. I think both Docs will want me to continue with
the Big 3 for another few months. I will continue with enhanced AWC techniques and Respiratory Therapy which right now is based on building up my endurance. I have gotten some tips on how to breathe and hope to ask for more help in that area.
Always moving forward. Thanks to all for your constant support!