← Return to My new pulmonologist told me Bronchoiectasis causes MAC

Discussion

My new pulmonologist told me Bronchoiectasis causes MAC

MAC & Bronchiectasis | Last Active: 5 days ago | Replies (10)
Comment receiving replies
@doberdoo

Thank you for your response. I am very sorry to hear your own story and all that you have been through. I wish the best for continued success in beating these horrible diseases.

So, I am right in thinking this pulmonologist knows nothing about MAC and I must find a new one. I put in quotes what he said that Bronchectasis causes MAC. As you so clearly explained, Bronchectasis is a disease and MAC starts as viral bacteria in the soil. My instinct is to file a complaint against him with the hospital. He is a danger to me and future patients. What do you advise regarding him?? Or anyone else who might read this? Would you report him?

Jump to this post

Replies to "Thank you for your response. I am very sorry to hear your own story and all..."
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | 6 days ago

No, I don't think a complaint is warranted. I think you are right that the pulmonologist may be inexperienced with MAC, but many are.

I used this example yesterday, but it still feels right. An auto mechanic may be really good at working on Chevys, Toyotas and Jeeps, but he might not have a clue how to repair a Maybach (very rare) or a Saab (rare.)

And so a pulmonologist may be very good at treating and managing asthma or COPD (50 million people or more in the US have these) but not know about Bronchiectasis (somewhat rare - under a million people) or MAC (pretty rare - less than 500,000.) These conditions may have been mentioned in school, but not rally taught.

As I said in my reply above, we don't really know which came first for any one person - it's kind of the "chicken and egg" situation. If your new pulmonologist has only ever seen people with both MAC and Bronchiectasis, he may never have teased out which came first. And honestly, since they most often occur together, it doesn't really make a difference in how it will be treated or managed.

Would I look for a new doctor? Probably - unless I could go back to the previous one.

VIEW AND REPLY