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Treating MAC without the big three?
MAC & Bronchiectasis | Last Active: 58 minutes ago | Replies (34)Comment receiving replies
I agree, that's very encouraging. I've had BE for years and was diagnosed in 2024 with MAC A. I'm fairly certain I've had it since at least 2019. The cough comes and goes but about 6 months ago it had gotten worse. Four months ago, I started nebulizing with 7% twice per day. My appetite is okay but not what it used to be, fortunately I still have a healthy BMI. At least I no longer have aches and fatigue which I experienced last year. What seems to have helped my cough the most is daily airway clearances. If you google Dr Paula McShane and Bronchiectasis, she has a few videos for airway clearance, and one is specific to bronchiectasis and NTM. My cough has really improved. I do cough a little when I start nebulizing but if I slow down, I can control it. I had 2 CTs in 2024, 6 months apart and all nodules have been reduced in size per the 2nd CT, so maybe my immune system is killing it? I sure hope so! I will continue with the healthy lifestyle, nebulizer, air way clearances and if anyone has additional suggestions-I'm open to hearing. Kathy
Replies to "I agree, that's very encouraging. I've had BE for years and was diagnosed in 2024 with..."
Kathy-
Another good post and also encouraging.
Great also that your BMI is good.
At this point I am almost working as hard to get my BMI up which is extremely important to having success with BE and a MAC infection. I had gotten down to nearly 90 lbs from 125 lbs and that was causing a couple of problems, including my often tripping over myself and nearly falling, however, no actual fall. With having put on twelve pounds that problem has stopped. Just goes to show us what being underweight can bring about. Thank goodness overall my appetite has been good from the get go....but the weight obviously came off. People who are trying to lose weight have a hard time, sometimes, believing it is most often just as hard to put the weight back on. A reasonable amount of olive oil and avocado oil with salads etc. is helping.
As I mentioned there was improvement on my last C Scan, however, to my disappointment Dr. McShane said there is a new area in the lower left lobe. I suspect I wasn't reaching the lower lobes with the percussion clapping. Also, I think I was concentrating more on my front than my back with the percussion clapping. I am working hard on that with the exercise, percussion clapping, massage hammer device, postural drainage, ACB and huff coughing. April is another C Scan at Baylor, Dallas and hope I will get good results.
Overall I feel absolutely fine, it is just the need to clear the throat of 'sputum' and especially after eating. I don't so much as 'cough' at those times, I suck it up, pull it up, and out.
Do you have the need to clear after eating?
Barbara
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I have had difficulty using 7% and am currently using 3%. Did you need to gradually built up to the 7? I would certainly like to be able to use it. Thanks for the info!!