It sure sounds like you've been through the wringer with your health issues the past few years. No wonder you're tired of it.
You said you're very active, have good O2 sats and PFT's. With those, I don't think I'd throw in the towel yet, but I recognize these are individual decisions.
I mostly don't think of myself as old, but the numbers don't lie and I am. I have BE and don't have MAC, but CT's looked like I did. It took about 9 months to get it ruled out with negative cultures. I spent some anxious time while waiting wondering about the decisions I'd make.
You airway clearance sounds pretty exhausting. What are you including now?. You might consider ways to shorten it. My first nebulizer was slow and took forever. I bought a more powerful one when I started 7% that really decreased the time. My albuterol takes less than 10" now. I don't bring up sputum and use the 7% to try to prevent exacerbations. I use 1/2 vial now, though if I were bring up mucus, I'd use it all. Some here are using a Pari e-flow (I think that's name) that is much faster than mine. Some also use the aerobika in line with saline, I think. I think a couple also limit aerobika and huff coughing to 20." Not knowing how much you bring up, I'm not sure what would work for you, but many of us tweak airway clearance to make it work with our lives. Something to consider. Also, I do it while I read emails, check news and this page in early a m.
What I've read about the big 3 sounds tough. Reading here, it sounds like people tweak it a bit, too, with some starting it 1 med at a time or doing it 3 days/week. Some do "watchful waiting" as they try to stabilize it with airway clearance. Just some ideas to consider.
I with you the best as you make decisions.
I use an ombra nebulizer and use only 3% but it takes me about 25 -40 minutes to complete
The really hard thing for me is using the aerobika I have to do about 30 minutes of 10 breath six times Followed by 3huffs Strenuous
Otherwise, I can’t get mucus up. This exhausts me for the rest of the day maybe I’m doing too much or I’m doing it too hard.
Thank you jill