Newly diagnosed with MAC and Bronchiectasis. I have questions!

Hi loreofox80 -
I was diagnosed with BE & MAC two years ago at the age of 60. I am in the "watch and wait" period, and so far things appear to be holding steady. I am very diligent with my twice-daily airway clearance (7% saline), but am frustrated that my sputum results keep coming back positive. I experience a lot of anxiety about what the future holds, and facing the day if and when I will need to begin antibiotic treatment. I am very fortunate in that I pretty much asymptomatic. I hope that you area able to make a decision that brings you peace.
Kind regards,
Jill

Hi Jill, As I mentioned in an earlier message to you today, I had a video visit with my two pulmonologists - they work as a team, one specializes in Bronchiectasis, NTM and Sleep Apnea, the other in managing Asthma and allergies - it took me 7 years to get scheduled with the two of them together, and wow what a team!

My NTM doc was telling me she has been extremely successful using saline nebs and airway clearance to manage many of her asymptomatic patients - some for years, without needing to resort to the Big 3. So you have a great reason to be hopeful!

Hi Jill- Hello @ loreofox80-
After reading all the posts here it appears there are so many factors that come into play with how one will or will not handle the antibiotics. As we have heard so often "we are all different."
I believe I had a MAC infection at least five years before learning about MAC due to my literally sucking up and bringing up a deep green mucus plug every once in a while that I did not understand the why of it, why is was happening and what it meant. In 2022 I was told I had BE via my PCD ordering C Scan due to my weight loss and in 2023 told I had MAI infection while at NJH in Denver.
I do bring up mucus, mucus plugs much of the time now and the submitted mucus plugs for testing show continued MAI, however it is staying stable at 1+ for well over a year, or more. I no longer have the deep green mucus plugs, they are light yellow to nearly white. I made a final decision this last week with the help of other individual's input here on Mayo Connect to continue avoiding the antibiotics for now.
For most of my 82 and 7 months I have had a life without any chronic health problem and also have for the majority of my life been careful with my diet and have taken supplements that have helped me along the way with my understanding what I needed if I was having a temporary problem. I also think our family genes play a part in the big picture along the way and how our body deals with the BE/MAI, possibly.
I say all this because there are so many factors about our health prior to BE and with BE that possibly come into play of how our body deals with the BE, the infections, the antibiotics and if we will or have experienced an exacerbation. As of yet I have not experienced an exacerbation.
My belief of my sucking up the mucus plug early on and now with air way clearance methods (Active Cycle Breathing, Autogenic Breathing , Self Percussion, Postural Drainage, and Huff Coughing) and simple movement exercises have helped me and truly make the difference for us. I recently have reworked my routine to keep me from feeling so tense after my morning routine....as Sue thought....I was working so hard that I was so tense afterwards.
I have been so fortunate as yet. It breaks my heart hearing some of the journeys of others along the way....it is so different for all of us. My thoughts are with all and wish for all of us.....the strength of mind and body to keep on keeping on.
Barbara

Thank you, Sue. May it be so!