1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

Gardening with Bronch and MAC

Posted by cate123456 @cate123456, Sep 2, 2022

I’ve been an organic gardener for decades. We grow most of our veggies, fruits, and flowers via our garden. Ironically I thought this kept us so healthy, but was probably a strong source of MAC for my lungs via all the composting, watering, manures, and messing w the soil.

I now try to wear an N95 mask when I garden. And my husband deals w the compost and most of the watering. I really hate the thought of having to give up our gardens and orchard.

Have you given up gardening, if not, what steps have you taken for MAC safety?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the MAC & Bronchiectasis Support Group.

judepollack | @judepollack | Apr 13 4:26pm
In reply to @cate123456 "Thanks Saint Sue! Nice to know about the watering, as I thought the mist from watering..." + (show)
@cate123456

Thanks Saint Sue!
Nice to know about the watering, as I thought the mist from watering might be full of MAC. We are in VA and don’t need to water often as lots of rain and humidity here. I also do “no till” gardening so the soil rarely gets disturbed in the raised beds.
We also have chickens, but my husband now deals w them, and I make him wear an N95 mask even though his lungs are good.

Jump to this post

Thanks .. for this information. When I was at my second appoiment for possible lung transplant candidate - drs mentioned gardening and I cried. I love gardening.

I have few house plants but tried to turn one into hydroponics today - I taught hydroponics when I taught third grade. When I got Covid / RSV/ pneumonia / Flu in 22 that began my downward spiral and more pneumonia hospital vists. Hard to climb out of the hole this time and am on oxygen 24/7. 🙁
I do not have MAC .. but an being treated for a posible fungal infection… bybID doc - that my ENT found with sinus infection.

I was diagnosed in 2012. If I knew then what I know now - lots I would have done differently.

Thanks again…
Judy

REPLY
cwal | @cwal | Apr 14 6:52am

I wear a N95 mask if I work out in the yard and doing anything that stirs up soil or dust. I may not be right but the way I see it, MAC is everywhere. Whether you are out taking a walk or even in our houses. There is no getting away from it entirely. So, I just try to minimize "big" exposures and hope for the best. It's all I know that is practical to do and still live.

REPLY
lorrainewenn | @lorrainewenn | Apr 15 8:49pm
In reply to @sueinmn "Hello, I can see you have been with us on Mayo Connect for a while, and..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Hello, I can see you have been with us on Mayo Connect for a while, and this is your first post - Welcome!

When considering risk in any situation concerning airborne pathogens, unless it is something extremely toxic, the elements to assess are LENGTH of exposure, NEARNESS to the source, and CONCENTRATION of the toxin.

So digging in the dirt, with your face near it, for a relatively long time, exposes you to a higher level of the toxin. Staying in a closed building next to the source, not handling or interacting with the birds, where the airborne contaminant is highly diluted & becoming more so as it travels away from the birds, exposes you to a lower level.

It is a situation that I would be comfortable in - it pretty well describes my long term proximity to the feral chickens where I live. We took one more step to protect ourselves, we bought a well-rated HEPA air filter, sized for our home, and run it full time. One additional advantage - it protects my silly lungs from mold spores, dust mites & other things that inhabit seasonal dwellings, no matter how careful we are.

Do you have MAC or bronchiectasis?
Sue

Jump to this post

Are the filter connected to the furnace or a separate unit?

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Apr 15 9:11pm
In reply to @lorrainewenn "Are the filter connected to the furnace or a separate unit?" + (show)
@lorrainewenn

Are the filter connected to the furnace or a separate unit?

Jump to this post

I have both. There is a house filter attached to the HVAC and maintained to schedule by my husband, and room units in the most occupied rooms in pur home, each sized for that space. I Chang those filters twice as often as recommended.
Sue

REPLY
blm1007blm1007 | @blm1007blm1007 | Nov 8 4:52pm
In reply to @kwi "Thanks for your response Sue. Now I won’t start feeling paranoid staying with our friends. Yes,..." + (show)
@kwi

Thanks for your response Sue. Now I won’t start feeling paranoid staying with our friends. Yes, I have bronchiectasis and MAC, specifically MAI diagnosed after a CT and bronchoscopy last Oct. The CT was for something else but ended up showing the bronchiectasis. Of course I wonder if I may have other MAC bacteria because I was unaware of the precautions needed to take to prevent further infection other than told to change my shower head by my pulmonologist. However, she did start me on airway clearance (albuterol & 7% saline) but didn’t explain the importance of it other than to get the mucus out which is a difficult concept when you don’t feel like you have any. I have learned many of the things to do or don’t do (and how important airway clearance is now) through support forums and watching webinars. I didn’t cough up sputum until a month ago and then it’s not every time. Otherwise I have no symptoms other than just feeling low energy but not fatigued. I have not agreed to go on the antibiotics yet even though the pulmonologist and ID doctors want me to do so.

Jump to this post

I just found this thread and read your post.
As of Sept 3. 2022 you did not start the antibiotics.
I am preparing to start Azithromycin and Ethambutol by getting my 'gut" ready vis probiotics a couple of times a day and will also take the probiotics once I start in a week or so.
My question: My concern is if one does not take the antibiotics do we allow ourselves to develop more serious lung problems?
My sputum to date from 10/23 on has continually shown MAI per the readings of the test results. I am fortunate, or unfortunate. I have to clear my throat of mucus almost all day long and a great many times I am able to clear out the mucus plugs with seeing the plugs in the clear cup I remove it to as I bring it up and out. Per the Oct. CScan I have less inflammation and plugging in two areas and a new area of plugging in my lower left lobe of which I hope to clear up in the next month or so due to my learnings this month. I feel well overall and am sleeping better than I was before having started the airway clearance methods.
How did you do with not starting the antibiotics when told you had MAI?
Did you eventually go on the antibiotics?
Did your mucus plugging clear up and therefore not have to go on the antibiotics?
I am interested in knowing your journey these last two years with MAI etc. if you have time and comfortable sharing that info.
Thanks'
Barbara

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.