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Infectious Disease Dr. AND a Pulmonologist?
Do I need both a Pulmonologist and an Infectious Disease Doctor? Diagnosed with BE and MAC in March 2025. Nebulizing and air way clearance is all I do for it. Trying to get into a new Pulmonary doc. Have appointment in March but at top of their list if they have a cancelation. Started big 3 in November but got very ill two days later. Didn't eat or drink for over a week. Headache, nausea was horrible. Took weeks to be able to do anything. Don't know the cause. Question is whether I should also be seeing an ID doctor. Thank you in advance for your responses.
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Absolutely You need an ID doctor. ID doctor will be your “head doctor” pulmonologist, gastroenterologist, rheumatologist, are all interdisciplinary arms attached to the whole body of You. Team work is your friend.
MAC is a mycobacterium that falls to the venue of Infectious Disease Specialist.
Be healthy in 2026
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1 Reaction@ronneee Maybe. In my experience, the ID doc generally follows you and directs your care if you are on antibiotic therapy. Otherwise your pulmonologist directs your care and helps you manage your bronchiectasis, referring you to ID if needed.
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5 ReactionsThat’s what my ID doctor said: I cleared the infection and I am done with you. Come back if there is a new infection. Well that was rough but it actually sums up the function of the I’d doctor. However if you have the infection and you tried antibiotics you should have one - this is what I think. Find one, schedule a visit and see what the ID says.
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1 ReactionMy understanding is that in the bronchiectasis/NTM centers, pulmonologists have ID docs to whom they refer their patients. So in that way they work together overseeing your care.
https://www.bronchiectasisandntminitiative.org/Find-Care/Care-Center-Network/Find-a-Center
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2 ReactionsThank you for your responses. Very helpful. I have a referral to an ID doctor but finally got up the courage to find a new pulmonary doctor. Hoping he will be more open, supportive and help me feel like he cares.
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1 Reaction@ronneee
Ah....yes. I understand about needing a new Pulmonologist. My first one was a total b**ch. Glad I persisted and found a different one so keep searching. Be certain to find one that has a specialty in Bronchiectasis and NTM disease. Search and find one on the Care Center Network, even if you have to travel. It will be worth the effort for your care.
@cmi
the Bronchiectasis and NTM Association website has a find care option so you can located a Bronchiectasis and NTM Care Center. I am not seeing a pulmonologist and ID doctor at University of Michigan Health, Ann Arbor. When I go for appointments, I see both of them.
My ID doc was useless. I have an amazing pulmonologist that prescribes the meds and follows me. I see no need for an ID doc in my case and as a plus that is one less appointment!