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Does Infectious Disease need to be part of overall team?
MAC & Bronchiectasis | Last Active: 10 hours ago | Replies (5)Comment receiving replies
@carolinediehl Hmm, this is one of those situations where the answer is the much-hated "I depends."
If you have a highly skilled pulmonologist who is familiar with treating MAC/NTM and you are responding to the standard treatment protocol, you probably don't need an Infectious Disease doc, and your pulmonologist would probably advise you when it is time to add one to your team.
On the other hand, if your pulmonologist is not very experienced in treating NTM, adding the skills of an ID doc would be helpful. Or if you have many other health issues, or limitations on the medications you can take, an ID doc is recommended. Finally, if you don't respond to treatment after 6 months, my pulmonologist says it is time to find another specialist to help treat you.
Are you comfortable and confident in the treatment you are receiving?
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Yes and no. My last visit he opened up more about his training. He said he studied under the head of pulmonology at the Cleveland Clinic in Florida. BE is not his top 5 DX treated. I kind of want a bronchoscopy to at least see if I at least have MAC besides BE. He sees improvement in latest CT and feels there is no sense in a bronchoscopy because he doesn't think I could handle the treatment for MAC. Shouldn't that be my decision?