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Is MAC D inevitable with bronchiectasis
MAC & Bronchiectasis | Last Active: Aug 14, 2025 | Replies (22)Comment receiving replies
@picartist and @kate2025 No, MAC is definitely not inevitable - especially now that Bronchiectasis is being recognized and diagnosed more readily through use of CT scans, so preventive care can begin before you get sick.
Also, back when I was diagnosed, little emphasis was placed on keeping our airways clear, which keeps the bacteria from finding greatnplaces to grow in our lungs.
I have been off antibiotics for 5 1/2 years now, doing daily airway clearance, with only a couple of exacerbations that required any medication.
There is a lot to learn about MAC (mycobateria avium complex, also known as NTM) and our other frequent visitor Pseudomonas. Before protocols were established that included "watchful waiting" nearly everyone with a positive sputum culture was pressured to begin an antibiotic regimen. Now research has shown that there are many criteria to consider - severity of infection, symptoms like fever, weight loss and fatigue, condition of the lungs... quite a few people get by with airway clearance (usually with 3% or 7% saline nebs) and regular monitoring.
And even more promising treatments are coming on line.
This field is changing fast, more doctors and clinics are building expertise, and we are not the "orphan disease" that we were even 5 years ago. If you can do so, it is important to find a doc who is knowledgeable about Bronchiectasis and NTM, or even get a one time consult and a treatment plan from a center of excellence like Mayo, NJH or UT Tyler.
Replies to "@picartist and @kate2025 No, MAC is definitely not inevitable - especially now that Bronchiectasis is being..."
KU med is also a good center for bronchiectasis and NTM. Dr Schmid is who I see.
@kate2025,@picartist, sue, @irene8
Sue...liked your words of "was pressured to begin an antibiotic regimen".
I felt that for a year when I kept putting off going on the antibiotics when Tyler was 'pressuring me' to go on them. I was agonizing about what to do because 1. I know myself 2. No fever, 3. no exacerbation, 4. no fatigue etc. and 5. a low count of MAI. Thanks to you and @Irene8 I finally felt comfortable with my decision of not starting the antibiotics.
For me I am overall doing fine even with the MAI infection....meaning I feel fine. The nebulizing to loosen the mucus and all Airway clearance techniques appear to be a great answer to helping keep at bay or away the infection. P.S. Diet and masking in public for me has also helped. I believe my BE goes back a good several years before being diagnosed when I had the first local pulmonologist read an XRay by saying "you just have large lungs", that was 2015 and I was finally diagnosed in 2022 with BE due to my constant saying 'something is wrong."
What I would like to ask and say...
if we do not bring up a mucus plug and the sputum vile is sent in wouldn't that mean they wouldn't get a good enough sample to determine an infection.
I say that because now with all I know that is what I believed happen to me with my original local pulmonologist in 2021 who didn't give any directions or understandings of how to get a good sputum sample. When the test came back he indicated the test was negative for an infection. Yet at that time I would once in a while bring up a deep green 'pus' like piece. I finally came to understand after going to National Jewish that what I was bringing up was a mucus plug. So to me we have to be sure we understand how to produce a good sputum specimen and that what which we are looking to bring up from the lungs is a mucus plug.
Am I correct in my thoughts????
Barbara
Jean@jmae. I have been diagnosed with NtMAC, Bronchiectasis, COPD, & Asthma. Been on P. O. Meds, 3 antibiotics three times a week, plus Iv meds 2 different times for 10 days each time plus inhalation treatments 4times a day, acapella treatment4 times a day, plus Pep vest 4 times a day. Never smoked or drank. Healthy, no prescription meds until this hit, 1 year ago. Do treatments faithfully. Was told in 3months I can come off the meds if I am where I am today. I am 82 years old. Follow doctors orders. Go to a specialist for treatment. BJC/ Washington University, St. Louis Mo. has a program for these
illnesses. My PCP recommended it to me. I drive 145 miles one way. It’s worth it. Your PCP & Mac specialists need to work together. Your life depends on it. Good luck. I appreciate connect.mayoclininc. Been following it for 6 months. Thanks to all for your input. It helps.
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Watchful waiting and airway clearance if you do not have symptoms that warrant treatment in the case of MAC may be different than Pseudomonas. Based on my own experience I would advise anyone who gets a sputum result of Pseudomonas to thoroughly treat it right away no matter what. If treated early on you stand a chance of eradication. You do not want to end up with chronic Pseudomonas.