Anyone else diagnosed with MAC & Bronchiectasis without symptoms?

Yes, it was absolutely terrifying. Yes, I also have MAC.

You’re probably in the same boat as me I don’t have symptoms, but I saw the growth she told me and showed me so we can probably get rid of it, but it can come back so do the full year treatment. It’s gonna be hard but just do it I hope it doesn’t come back.

Similarly, a radiologist’s incidental finding of tree in bud in my right lung when reviewing my calcium CT was said to be suggestive of MAC. The results of a sputum culture came back today with AFB present but not yet defined as MAC. I’ve had no symptoms other than getting winded more easily when being physically active and fatigue in the early evenings after work. My mother lived with MAC for 14 years and the last 3 or 4 were miserable for her. While it isn’t a hereditary illness, I suppose there may be genetic traits, that make someone more susceptible to contracting the illness. I’m glad to find this message board to check in with others about their illness experiences.

That sounds almost exactly like my scenario. If I had not coughed up blood, I would likely have never known.. Best to all!

That would be me, but she did show me the airway that is starting to send out little tentacles! I start pretty soon and I only have a couple more things they want me to do and I’m very nervous. I don’t do well with antibiotics. I think they should just give it to me intravenously

I am also symptomless. I found out I had MAC and BE when I went for a chest xray that I was required to have. That was 3 years ago. Unfortunately, I wasn't with the correct doctors, and didn't do airway clearance, or anything for 3 years. I just recently had another scan to find out that the BE is more widespread, along with the appearance of more widespread MAC. I am now with different doctors and doing airway clearance twice per day. Still - I have no symptoms. Because of this, my doctor does not suggest starting antibiotics yet, but I have to give sputum cultures to see the viral load so they can make a better decision. Not exactly easy since I have no sputum! I have to do another scan in 6 months, and if I can't produce sputum, then I'll need a bronchoscopy. I wish you luck. It sounds like you got it early. Just follow your doctor's advice, and make sure you are with doctors who understand this condition. I don't know if you exercise, but if not, start an exercise program. That's a great form of airway clearance too.

I wonder if intravenous antibiotics are an option? Seems like they might work faster to clear the infection.

Thanks for sharing. Yes, I do exercise. In fact, I had recently started running again and even did a 5K race in March! I walk or bike a lot, too. I don't have any sputum either. Even if we don't have symptoms, seems it would make more sense to treat the bacterial infection in order to prevent more damage. I guess I'll know more once I see a pulmonologist. Even if I'm confident in him, I am thinking of getting a second opinion.

They are definitely an option. They like to try the pills first, but I am gonna demand giving it to me the other way because I have a weak weak stomach and I’m already on medicine.