MAC and Prednisone

Posted by Cathln @Cathln, Feb 29 3:59pm

Bronchiectasis is acting up again. Hoping just something I picked up, although I wear a mask, and don't go out much. have MAC, not treated. Dr. gave me Prednisone taper. Along with antibiotics and abuterol neb.
I know steroids hasten growth of NTMS, it happened to me with two I had before. This is a small dose compared to the huge dose for those other two. I took them for a 6 weeks, spread the NTMs over both lungs, instead of the just one I had surgery on. Doctor at the time never waited for the culture, which we know can take a long time. Just sent me home with prednisone and cytoxine.
I'm worried that this taper will get the MAC growing. It has just been there 10 yrs, slow growing.
Has anyone been on Prednisone taper with MAC, and stayed the same?
I have bad allergy to the clarithromycin, so Dr. already said it would be very hard to treat. Thank you for reading and answering if you can.

I'm just wondering if anyone has been on a 10 day taper with untreated MAC.

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Rick | @rstel7272 | Mar 1 9:31am

I so not have asthma but all I can say is I have had 4 rounds of steroids over the last 5 years, each with bad results.

Cathln | @Cathln | Mar 1 9:51am

Rick, do you have Bronchiecstsis too? Do you have MAC? What happened taking steroids. Mine is a taper for 12 days.

Rick | @rstel7272 | Mar 2 9:34am

In reply to @Cathln "Rick, do you have Bronchiecstsis too? Do you have MAC? What happened taking steroids. Mine is..." + (show)

Yes, I have manageable Bronchiecstsis. My biggest issue now is aspergillus, a fungal infection in the lung that I believe was fueled by 3 1/2 years of Symbicort usage. Which is confirmed by this paper ..
https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/6/4/346
There are always exceptions, short term usage to combat a hard case of covid for example.

Cathln | @Cathln | Mar 3 10:27am

In reply to @rstel7272 "Yes, I have manageable Bronchiecstsis. My biggest issue now is aspergillus, a fungal infection in the..." + (show)

Oh no, I take Symbacort too! That's all I need. I've been on it a year now. Small dose, but I have MAC too. Thanks for your reply.

Rick | @rstel7272 | Mar 4 9:09am

In reply to @Cathln "Oh no, I take Symbacort too! That's all I need. I've been on it a year..." + (show)

Ask your pulminologist about switching to Spiriva Resmat. I feel did it saved my life.

Cathln | @Cathln | Mar 4 5:32pm

In reply to @rstel7272 "Ask your pulminologist about switching to Spiriva Resmat. I feel did it saved my life." + (show)

Thank you Rick!

irene5 Irene Estes | @irene5 | Mar 5 6:22pm

In reply to @Cathln "Thank you Rick!" + (show)

Rick is correct. Unfortunately steroid use can lead to fungal infections like aspergillosis. When I had RSV in the fall and was on prednisone because of bronchiolitis my pulmonologist was cognizant of keeping me on it only until I was ok without it. I have aspergillosis and he was concerned it would get worse because of the prednisone or I would get a different fungal infection added to my repertoire! Rick’s due diligence and putting those articles out there for us to read and digest are a tremendous help. Irene5