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Visit to National Jewish Health in Denver, CO

MAC & Bronchiectasis | Last Active: 15 hours ago | Replies (76)

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Profile picture for mtinderscott2626 @mtinderscott2626

@kathyjjb I just got diagnosed, and my anxiety is crazy from worrying about this...and what doctor/center I should go to. The Big Three scare me. Can you comment on my main choices...Mayo Rochester or National Jewish Health, I have been a patient at Mayo, and my local pulmonary doctor is with MUSC in Charleston. I just got the bad news 12/23/25

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Replies to "@kathyjjb I just got diagnosed, and my anxiety is crazy from worrying about this...and what doctor/center..."

@mtinderscott2626 I would say NJH is the best and have heard from others that it has the best lab. I don't know Mayo's protocol but at NJH, I was there for 8 days of testing and appointments. I had a hospital room but was an outpatient, so I didn't stay overnight but in a nearby rental home. I was diagnosed with MABC which is more difficult to treat than MAC, so maybe you would stay less days. That said, you want to know the extent of your infection which is measured by: 1. the bacterial "count", 2. your CT scans, and 3. how you feel. People live with MAC for decades without treatment. Are you nebulizing? Did your CT show cavities? If nodules, the best thing for you to start with is nebulizing 2/day with 7% saline. Cavities are more difficult to treat. There have been limited studies that have shown 25% of those infected with nodular MAC have been able to avoid the "big 3" with nebulizing (7%, 2x/day). Portland is just wrapping up a study with a larger test population and hoping results will be published in the next few months. I was diagnosed with M. Abscessus, macrolide resistant, which is much more difficult to treat. Nebulizing has really helped me. I hope this message has helped. Good luck and keep us posted.