Gardening with Bronch and MAC

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

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.

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

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

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

My doctor said my MAI was directly related to my gardening and i have since not exposed myself to those soil microbes. I hope it makes a difference, my yard looks like crap. LOL !

My ID doc told me 6 years ago that it was not necessary to stop gardening - just be smarter.
Here are the adjustments I made -
Gloves while gardening, thrown in the laundry frequently with my garden clothes. Garden clothes, gloves and shoes stay in the garage until laundered so I don't bring anything into the house.
No more peat moss, anywhere in my gardens or pots.
No more playing in dry soil - always wet it before working.
No more dumping dry soil, compost or mulch - I pay a helper to do it if my husband cannot, and stay away until it has been watered down.
No using the mower, leaf blower, or rake and staying away while it is in use. If I must do it, wear a KN-95 mask (the one where when you breathe out, a one-way valve opens to expel the moisture - much more comfortable than the N-95.)

With these precautions I have stayed NTM free in spite of hundreds of hours in the garden and working with plants.

Thank you, Sue, for that advice. We had just finished building a greenhouse when I was diagnosed with bronchiectasis. I’ve been wearing a mask but have worried that I’m harming myself. Thanks for the reassurance!!

I can give up pretty much everything and feel as though I already have. I WILL NOT stop gardening, housework or yard work, walking pets and doing things outdoors. I’m only 55 and I will try and wear a mask when at all possible but I draw the line.
I stopped taking Tamoxifen only last year for breast cancer after my bilateral mastectomy in January 2023 and said ENOUGH IS ENOUGH —I want to live the life I have not prolong something I don’t want. The sides of that drug were NOT this bad. It had been less than a month off it before I developed MAI/MAC and less than six til I started the Big 3.
Am I the only one that sees things this way? @circleup —I feel you have given up your job, your husband left? When will it stop? I’d say gardening might be the only way you can try and get grounded with all this crap we deal with.
I for one will be putting my gloved hands into the wet soil as soon as the snow and frost have done their thing. I’m looking forward to pruning my fruit trees in February. Unless I can’t physically do something because of the fatigue, and side effects, screw it.

There is no way I would consider giving up gardening. I will garden for as long as I am able. I start as soon as the weather permits it. I LOVE it so much. I considered it my life saver after my spouse suddenly died. Last summer the garden got extended a bit. Very anxious for spring to come so I can get outside. I do feel the effects on my poor lungs, but my heart and soul needs to hear the birds sing, feel the sun and wind, and just enjoy the wonders of nature. Gardening makes life a joy.