1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

Swimming with MAC

Posted by lorrainewenn @lorrainewenn, Mar 7 10:44am

I was recently diagnosed with MAC Avium and typically swim laps in a pool at my health club. I also have a pool at home. My pulmonologist said I could swim in a chlorinated pool. Wanted to know if that presents a significant risk. I have my first visit at Mayo in Rochester next week as I need guidance regarding antibiotic treatment. This group is amazing, thank you !!

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dulwich | @dulwich | Mar 7 11:55am

MAC are chlorine resistant and the amount present may be enhanced by chlorine treatment
The water vapor in indoor pools might contain MAC even if it were to test negative.
Not a chance I have chosen to take although I do still swim outside in the summer

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scoop | @scoop | Mar 7 11:59am

My understanding is that it's the water aerosols that can expose us to MAC/NTM. Outside swimming pools are less risky than indoor ones, as there is more air circulation outside than inside. MAC/NTM is chlorine resistant and everywhere. It's a colonizer not a pathogen in water.

Consider reviewing https://www.ntminfo.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/NTMSupplementalGuide.pdf

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1 reply
lorrainewenn | @lorrainewenn | Mar 7 9:52pm
In reply to @scoop "My understanding is that it's the water aerosols that can expose us to MAC/NTM. Outside swimming..." + (show)
@scoop

My understanding is that it's the water aerosols that can expose us to MAC/NTM. Outside swimming pools are less risky than indoor ones, as there is more air circulation outside than inside. MAC/NTM is chlorine resistant and everywhere. It's a colonizer not a pathogen in water.

Consider reviewing https://www.ntminfo.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/NTMSupplementalGuide.pdf

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Thank you so much for this document. I need to replace my shower head, any suggestions on what to buy?

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1 reply
scoop | @scoop | Mar 8 9:11am
In reply to @lorrainewenn "Thank you so much for this document. I need to replace my shower head, any suggestions..." + (show)
@lorrainewenn

Thank you so much for this document. I need to replace my shower head, any suggestions on what to buy?

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Some very cautious people buy Pell Shower heads. Pricey and they need to replaced often but apparently quite effective. I will see if I can dig up some information or maybe someone else will post about it. There are other shower heads that claim to reduce NTM but I don't remember the names.

For me, I run the ceiling heater fan and keep the shower door slightly ajar, and sometimes opening the window. The ceiling heater fan works great as it brings additional air into the bathroom. I find the ceiling exhaust fans, which takes air out, can't keep up with the steamy air unless you have a really good one.

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1 reply
scoop | @scoop | Mar 9 10:45am
In reply to @scoop "Some very cautious people buy Pell Shower heads. Pricey and they need to replaced often but..." + (show)
@scoop

Some very cautious people buy Pell Shower heads. Pricey and they need to replaced often but apparently quite effective. I will see if I can dig up some information or maybe someone else will post about it. There are other shower heads that claim to reduce NTM but I don't remember the names.

For me, I run the ceiling heater fan and keep the shower door slightly ajar, and sometimes opening the window. The ceiling heater fan works great as it brings additional air into the bathroom. I find the ceiling exhaust fans, which takes air out, can't keep up with the steamy air unless you have a really good one.

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It's Pall not Pell, sorry about that.Here's a cut and paste from another support site with contact info for Pall.

Here is some info for those of you who use the Pall filter for your shower: Cytiva (who bought Pall) no longer ships direct to consumer. They advised me to contact Filtration Services, a company they have partnered with, who sold me the filters.
The contact at Filtration Services, located in Wisconsin, is named Patty Schwartz. Her phone number: 920-845-5810 ext 117. Her email address is pschwartz@filtrationservices.net .

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1 reply
lorrainewenn | @lorrainewenn | Mar 9 6:44pm
In reply to @scoop "It's Pall not Pell, sorry about that.Here's a cut and paste from another support site with..." + (show)
@scoop

It's Pall not Pell, sorry about that.Here's a cut and paste from another support site with contact info for Pall.

Here is some info for those of you who use the Pall filter for your shower: Cytiva (who bought Pall) no longer ships direct to consumer. They advised me to contact Filtration Services, a company they have partnered with, who sold me the filters.
The contact at Filtration Services, located in Wisconsin, is named Patty Schwartz. Her phone number: 920-845-5810 ext 117. Her email address is pschwartz@filtrationservices.net .

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Thank you!!

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1 reply
melinda561 | @melinda561 | Mar 11 7:17am
In reply to @lorrainewenn "Thank you!!" + (show)
@lorrainewenn

Thank you!!

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I’m also going to look into the pall filter. In the meantime, I have increased my hot water setting to 140. From what I’ve read , keeping the range between 130 and above kills MAC. I removed my shower head in the meantime. I run the hot water for a couple of minutes first, The lukewarm shower seems to create less steam. I also leave shower curtain partially open to also to create less steam. Has anyone else read about increasing water heater settings above 130 to eliminate MAC in the shower?

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