I have had bronchiectasis, not with MAC, but other infections such a p.anguerosa and streptomonas maltophilia for 15 years now. I argued with antibiotics but in the end it was/is the only thing that works. Bronchiectasis is a chronic disease that forces you to live with compromises, whether you treat it or not. There are fewer and less onerous compromises if you treat it. My vision and hearing, as well as my susceptibility to muscle-related injuries, have been negatively impacted by my meds over the last decade, but I can breathe. Breathing is better than the alternative. Key to my physical and mental health has also been lots of aerobic exercise (bike riding for me). I hate exercise, but these days, when I go to my pulmonologist's office, I am often one of the only persons my age (70) not walking around with an oxygen tank, something my doctor says is largely due to the exercise. My experience with the ID docs when I started on this journey was not so great— they fixed nothing— but you do what feels right to you and don't be afraid to look at something different if things don't get better in a few months.