Does MAC virus effect your stomach?

Well that is an interesting question for sure. When I was diagnosed with MAC it seemed to hit a lot of different parts of me. However, most MAC is lung specific. Disseminated MAC means it has spread to other parts of your body. If a person has AIDS or is highly immune compromised that could be a risk. If a person isn’t taking stomach medicine like Nexium etc ( proton pump inhibitors) your stomach acid kills MAC. However , people with GERD take proton pump inhibitors which stop acid production which is what kills a lot of things in our stomachs. When we have reflux it can get in our lungs quite by accident . Tis a catch 22! Irene5

Thanks for your reply

Well that is an interesting question for sure. When I was diagnosed with MAC it seemed to hit a lot of different parts of me. However, most MAC is lung specific. Disseminated MAC means it has spread to other parts of your body. If a person has AIDS or is highly immune compromised that could be a risk. If a person isn’t taking stomach medicine like Nexium etc ( proton pump inhibitors) your stomach acid kills MAC. However , people with GERD take proton pump inhibitors which stop acid production which is what kills a lot of things in our stomachs. When we have reflux it can get in our lungs quite by accident . Tis a catch 22! Irene5

Hi Irene-
I went with my "gut feeling" back in 2022 and said no to PPI's that were recommended to me by a gastroenterologist after an upper endocope that resulted in a good report and then that very month I was told I had BE, both tests 8/22. I didn't have any of the major Acid Reflux symptoms and then NJH testing in October of 2023 said I didn't have Acid Reflux. Just goes to show us how much we need to be aware of in the big picture of our health. I however, to be on the safe side follow the suggested acid reflux diet and sleep on a wedge. As we know age plays a role also with many health problems and I am up there, but overall doing just fine moving along. When I get a little down in the dumps thinking of how BE has changed my "freedom," with all one has to put up with in having BE, I think of all those who are suffering without and how fortunate I am to be in America and have what I have. Wishing us all good days.
Barbara