Natural remedies for MAC

@namd you said you wonder if the buildings you worked in might have caused NTM lung disease. Do you mean the actual buildings might have NTM and if so, do you mind elaborating? Or were you just referring to the students with respiratory illness? I ask because I'm considering switching careers to teaching.

@namd you said you wonder if the buildings you worked in might have caused NTM lung disease. Do you mean the actual buildings might have NTM and if so, do you mind elaborating? Or were you just referring to the students with respiratory illness? I ask because I'm considering switching careers to teaching.

@jolenesj Sounds like you have a Primary Care Physician who is not closed minded due to the suggestion of supplements.
I take those you mentioned because I was/am familiar with them and the reasons for taking them. I also take garlic tablets which possibly help also with infections. I was put on watchful waiting in 2023 and ......at this time after doing the nebulizing, air way clearance methods, huff coughing. light exercise, healthy eating and supplements it appears the MAI infection has decreased in that the last sputum results indicated " no showings of MAI detected and no respiratory pathogens".
This is hard to believe because I have not taken the antibiotics.
I am now 83 and feel well. I do however get a bit tired and have a feeling of being tense on some days after doing the full routine for controlling the BE, Bronchiectasis and infection.
As the lead doctor that I had at National Jewish Hospital/Clinic said: " You have the disease that requires the most work." Yes, it is work!!!
Barbara

@med08 when I go to my Accupuncturist she may ask what I’d like to work on, but since she is a 5 element Accupuncturist, she usually takes my pulses and works on the meridians that are deficient. However, since I have had this discovery of having an NTM of some kind, she also works specifically on the lung meridians.

5 element acupuncturists work to balance the whole body. That whole body balance is a theory that if the body is in balance, it can heal itself. The 5 element acupuncturists also have to know Traditional Chinese acupuncture. I’m not exactly sure how they are different from each other because google AI also says the traditional Chinese method also works to balance the body.

@irene5
Yes, we need to stay strong. There are days when I am frustrated that I have to slow down, walking uphill causes breathlessness. I have Bronchiectasis too. As you say we need to keep the bacteria from doing more damage to our lungs. You have cheered me up as you are still going strong!

@namd glad to see you are getting lots of support and recommendations here. Staying strong physically and mentally is helpful and something I think we all strive to work at. I’ve seen people here who are still avid travelers taking on very physical and demanding trips and schedules but like you have a lot of shortness of breath in particular when walking up hill. My PFT does show an asthma component so I have a nebulizer to treat that however I’m wondering if anyone had any suggestions to help with the breathlessness. Thank you.

@namd My mom always said, “It’s all in the attitude!” I think that was good advice! Blessings , Irene

@rmoore901
I have asked my Respiratory consultant about getting a nebuliser but he says it is only useful for people with asthma. I have bronchiectasis. I just go slowly uphill and do breathing exercises and I am fine. I did 6 weeks of Pulmonary Rehab during the summer it was amazing. Onwards and upwards - thank you for the suggestion.

@pacathy Thank you for the links. Earlier today I ran into a nurse that works in infectious disease. She told me not to assume I DO have NTM, even though my CT scan seems to indicate it. She said wait for the results and get a second opinion. She said she has seen situations where it looked like NTM as a sure thing, and it wasn’t. So good to know.

But all these links I have received for clearance techniques are great, because whatever is happening, there is already some damage. So the clearance techniques just seem to be a win to keep whatever it is from damaging my lung. So thanks again! .