What is the prognosis for mac and bronchiectasis?

I was diagnosed just over 7 years ago, at the beginning of 2018, but had been ill with repeated respiratory infections for over 2 years. I was sick, weak, coughing non-stop, and could only walk about 50 feet without stopping to cough and catch my breath. I was repeatedly treated for asthma and bronchitis, would fell better for a month or two, then start all over. In Spring 2018 I was diagnosed with Pseudomonas and MAC, treated first for the Pseudo, then for the MAC.

I am healthier now, though 7 years older, than I was at the beginning, bronchiectasis is stable although my lungs are scarred from years of infection, and my asthma under control.

Today I was able to spend 5 hours on a beach at the Gulf of Mexico building sand castles with friends, my body is wiped out but my heart is full.

PS The salt air was like a day in a salt cave - boy are my lungs clearing on their own tonight! Fortunately we were with long time friends who know this is my "normal" just as taking walkers and sturdy chairs is normal for them. We crusty old folks don't let anything get in the way of having a great day. As my Dad used to say "Could heaven be any better than a day like this?"

This is truly something we cannot know - there are so many other health conditions that can overtake a slow-growing MAC infection or stable or slowly worsening Bronchiectasis that we never know if these shorten our lives or not. This is true of many conditions.
For example, my Dad had both heart and kidney disease - quadruple bypass surgery on his heart, stents in his renal arteries. Suddenly, he was diagnosed with Stage 4 liver cancer, and we lost him just 4 months later.

This is truly something we cannot know - there are so many other health conditions that can overtake a slow-growing MAC infection or stable or slowly worsening Bronchiectasis that we never know if these shorten our lives or not. This is true of many conditions.
For example, my Dad had both heart and kidney disease - quadruple bypass surgery on his heart, stents in his renal arteries. Suddenly, he was diagnosed with Stage 4 liver cancer, and we lost him just 4 months later.

I am new to this group and look forward to sharing this journey to better health with all of you. My first visit to my pulmonologist was in 2023, due to a suspicious nodule in my lungs found on a CT scan. I was told at that time that I had bronchiectasis, but I had no severe symptoms. He performed a bronchoscope and took a culture. Nothing grew from the culture so I went on with my life. Fast forward to today, my last CT scan was done in January of 2025. The doctor ordered another bronchoscope in January, 2025, and after weeks of waiting I found out I have MAC as well as bronchiectasis. He referred me to an Infectious Disease doctor. I had an appointment yesterday. She prescribed 3 different antibiotics (same as what I’ve seen in other comments Azithromycin, rifampin and ethambutol). I will also begin saline breathing treatments along with a flutter valve breathing device. My only symptoms at this time are shortness of breath and little dry cough.
I am 70 years old and very active and would consider myself in good health. I plan to start taking the antibiotics on Monday, and praying I tolerate the meds. Any advice, comments will be greatly appreciated!!

Sue, first, we are all different, of course and genes play a big role. I am now 80. I was diagnosed with MAC and bronchiectasis in 2012 after questioning my mother’s pulmonologist about the possibility since my mom was diagnosed in her early 70’s. My mother lived until she was 89. She never received the now accepted treatment but rather with the fluoroquinolones and then azithromycin, I believe. I received the vig 3 treatment over 18 months and my MAC went into remission. I am quite vulnerable to lung issues so have a harder time w eg chest colds and covid knocked me back last summer. This past Fall I participated in an 18-session pulmonary rehab clinic that was outstanding. I learned how to breathe better. I carry a pulseoximeter when i go walking about 4 times a week and manage 4 miles at about 22 minutes per mile. Being active and exercising, I believe helps a lot. I just wanted to give you encouragement to be compliant with your pulmonologist’s instructions during treatment. - Jennifer

Your story is inspiring! You were diagnosed 13 years ago, and this is the first time you are doing the big 3? Have you just been doing airway clearance techniques and exercise up until then? It sounds like you are very diligent about being active. I admire that. I'm worried I won't be able to keep up the exercise routine I started. I'm 30 years younger than you, and I'm worried that I already have this issue at such a young age, and what that will do to my longevity

Best of luck to you. I take all of antibiotics at night. If side effects show up, hopefully I will be asleep. I also keep ginger tea and peppermint tea and ginger chews on hand in case there is nausea. Yogurt and / or a probiotic during the day to help my microbiome.

This is truly something we cannot know - there are so many other health conditions that can overtake a slow-growing MAC infection or stable or slowly worsening Bronchiectasis that we never know if these shorten our lives or not. This is true of many conditions.
For example, my Dad had both heart and kidney disease - quadruple bypass surgery on his heart, stents in his renal arteries. Suddenly, he was diagnosed with Stage 4 liver cancer, and we lost him just 4 months later.