Should I start Breyna?

I’m new too. I start in June because I gotta pass all the tests first can you please keep me updated on your symptoms? I’m really nervous.

Symbicort/Breyna is a treatment for asthma or COPD. Have you been told you have one of these? That would be the only reason to start it from my point of view. Usually MAC/bronchiectasis treating physicians stay away from steroids unless there's asthma.

I am on Symbicort 2 puffs twice a day to treat asthma. It's important to rinse your mouth after taking to avoid thrush. I used to be on Flovent for asthma and I find Symbicort has fewer side effects.

To answer your question about saline: I am fastidious about airway clearance for my bronchiectasis and nebulize 7% saline twice a day. Taking 2 puffs of albuterol beforehand makes the 7% more tolerable. Although some do, I don't rely on exercise to replace airway clearance.
https://www.drugs.com/symbicort.html

I first saw a pulmonologist in October of 2023. I was complaining of extreme tiredness and weakness and difficulty breathing--a heaviness in my chest. I had had a CT scan in Sept 2023, and was diagnosed with pneumonia, with interstitial lung disease and pulmonary infiltrates. The pulmonologist said he wasn't sure yet what was going on. He suspected an infection, but wanted to follow me for a year to see if the situation got better, worse, or stayed the same. He took a lung function test, and told me to exercise. I told him I could barely walk from my bedroom to my kitchen without feeling exhausted. He said to do as much as I could whether I liked it or not. Yeah, right. I saw him the following July with the same complaints, and he still wanted to wait for the next CT scan in 6 months before doing anything. I fired him.
I saw the second pulmonologist in October 2024. He did a lot of allergy testing and found nothing. After taking the second CT scan in Nov. 2024, he recommended that I get a broncoscopy. While waiting for the results of that, I was still complaining of the tiredness and heaviness in breathing, so the doctor prescribed Breyna. It made a substantial difference in my breathing, to the extent that I could begin to do some exercise, and get around a little more easily.
After I got my MAC with Pseudomonas diagnosis, the decision was made not to treat it. I was still complaining of the tiredness even though it had improved somewhat The pulmonologist said he didn't think it was because of the lung infections. I went back to my primary doc who saw that I had blood test results that suggested anemia. The count wasn't too low, but she decided to have me take iron. After 8 weeks I felt stronger and not as tired. Since then (April 2025) I have been exercising more and feeling better, and I had the energy to explore, thanks to this group, airway clearance, which is helping reduce my coughing. My next exploration will be into the world of nebulizing.
What I am learning little by little with this lung condition is that all kinds of things can contribute to the overall effect of how I'm feeling... And those "things" might not always be directly related to the lung issue. This may seem obvious to most folks, but I have been blessed with good health until now. It is a steep learning curve. Lots to learn.

@rosefoxx1 I've had a productive cough for many years, had pneumonia during the winter but asked if I could have a follow up chest X-ray which led to a visit to the PCP where I asked for a referral to pulmonology, who order a chest CT and multiple sputum test then, voila MAC. My lung capacity has slowly decreased over the years but I've blamed (probably wrongfully so) my allergies and decreased exercise.

@scoop I do have exercise induced asthma and the Albuterol has been great with taking care of it. Which is why Breyna seems overkill at this point. Plus all the data pointing at immune suppression. I started the 3% with nebulizer today, does using the Albuterol help clear the secretions? (Thank you for the pearls of knowledge) The pulmonologist basically said antibiotics aren't an option right now. Perhaps someone can weigh in on why? Considering I'm on the younger-ish side, still active.... per the pulmonologist, the symptoms I have are advanced. He didn't mention cavitation, he said that it's in multiple lobes. It sounded like he thought insurance wouldn't cover it, anybody aware of treatment cost?

@bernadene24 Wow, that's a whirlwind! Happy to hear iron and Breyna have you dialed in! If you aren't treating the infection what does the doctor say to expect?

I would certainly interrogate this guy and write down a bunch of questions and get the right answers and you could even record it so you can remember but make sure you be your advocate if you don’t like what he’s saying go to somebody else if they say the same thing, then you know it’s correct Never hurts to get a second opinion. My infection is mild that you burned me. It could come back, but I sure hope it doesn’t after I do treatment.

Also, how old are you? I don’t know if you’re young or older. It could make a difference.

The doc doesn’t say what to expect at this point. He is following me with lung function tests every 6 mos and a ct scan every year. I am due to see him in July.
Having read the comments about Breyna snd immune suppression, But’m going to look into the possibility of an alternative. Since I am feeling so much better, I wonder if I even need the Breyna any more.
I started using the Aerobika yesterday evening, , and had no coughing when I went to bed. That was a first!