Sue-
Wow, you went through so much before getting the right diagnosis....and as well just as much ..."h".... with having to take and do all to reduce the bacteria to a lesser amount.
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RE: "Are you using 7% saline and daily airway clearance?"
SALINE SOLUTION: I was told during my visit to NJH in Oct. 2023 (diagnosed 8/22) to do 7% and vest 2x a day.
It is/was/is so uncomfortable doing the 7% due to my bringing up so much moisture that it requires me to stop every five breaths and spit the mouthful of moisture, that comes up, into a solo cup. The moisture created is the foamy, white, bubbly that apparently is water pulled into the lungs from what I have read and been told by the OKC ID doctor and the Dallas Baylor Pulmonologist.... both having practiced and are close to retirement.
STEAM: Because it was so uncomfortable I had stopped doing the saline for a good three weeks and started boiling cold tap water for 10 to 15 minutes and doing it the old way of breathing in the steam.
PERCUSSION: I was also doing my own percussion clapping on my front and back as I walked or stood in front of the sink that has become a convenient spittoon. I was bringing up more plugs each day with doing it this way verses how little I brought up with doing the vest, saline etc.
Also, I was having soreness, I believe, coming apparently from the ribs and that stopped after my not using the vest and doing the saline/neb. However, it may have been due to irritation you speak of in your answer to davis5663.
Thank you for confirming what I guess I was denying, the saline does more than just loosening the mucus....it helps with keeping the bacteria down.... as long as we are careful living life and doing what needs to be done. Guess I wasn't careful enough that the bacteria count went to 7 colonies vs 3. I stopped the saline the beginning of May, it was the April sputum that showed 7 colonies
I will go back on with the saline a few times a week, do the steam and do air way clearance techniques I have been doing.
ANTI BIOTICS: Interesting however,, Both the OKC ID doctor and Baylor Pulmonologist who obviously are not at NJH, Mayo, or Tyler did have the philosophy that I should start the anti-biotics, since I was with very little, small amount, of MAI, The Baylor Pulmonolgist suggested taking it to see if it would clear it up...and that I would know within a few months if it was doing good and if I wanted to I could stop treatment if I felt it wasn't doing any good.
I am waiting to see what the May sputum results are take during my visit in May at Tyler. Will give deep, long thought to the anti-biotics since I do feel well, energy level good, am sleeping well, my PFT was off the scale in the right direction and my appetite is good.
Hiatial HERNIA: I also think the hiatal hernia does add to it all and the need to clear my throat of the substance that comes up and seems to cling to my throat.
Any thoughts, shared information are ALWAYS most welcomed. Thanks Sue.
Barbara

Sue, when you say you couldn't walk a block, was this because of shortness of breath? I was diagnosed with MAI several months ago and I find walking outdoors extremely difficult. I've mentioned this to my pulmonary doctor and by his suggestion, I've set up an appointment with a neurologist. If my walking problem could be from the MAI, I would mention this possibility to the neurologist.