Do Bronchiectasis and MAC go together?

Posted by conniec @conniec, Apr 27, 2017

I was diagnosed with this in January. Had pneumonia in November. My dr didn't tell me to get a sputum sample til my second visit this past week. He started me On nebs and aerobika treatment. I had a second Ct scan and am not sure if there were changes. Does bronchiectasis and MAC go together. It seems like most people here talk about MAC and not bronchiectasis?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the MAC & Bronchiectasis Support Group.

russt | @russt | May 27, 2017

In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi Connie, Several members sharing in this group have bronchiectasis. Some have both MAC and bronchiectasis...." + (show)

Hey WW, hope you are doing well. You mentioned "JAX". What is that? Also how long does it take to get an appointment ay Mayo? Im in the process of getting clearance from my doctor and Humana and want to set up an appointment as soon as that happens.
Happy Labor Day,
Russ

Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor | @windwalker | May 28, 2017

In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi Connie, Several members sharing in this group have bronchiectasis. Some have both MAC and bronchiectasis...." + (show)

Hello Russ, JAX is short for Jacksonville, Fl. everybody down there uses
that abbreviation. It took several months before I could get an appt. It all
depends on how busy they are. They do not require a referral, you just call them
and ask for an appt. They will ask that you bring all of the medical records you
can get your hands on. They will then scan your records right there on the spot
and create a file. I love the Mayo because they operate like a well oiled
machine. Generally, they do labs first thing in the morning, x-rays and/or CT
scans, and any other tests they might need; then you meet with the doctor at the
end of the day. He has all results back and are in his computer. He then goes
over the findings and discusses treatment.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | May 29, 2017

In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi Connie, Several members sharing in this group have bronchiectasis. Some have both MAC and bronchiectasis...." + (show)

Hi @russt,
You'll find the online appointment request form, as well as phone numbers for Mayo Clinic Jacksonville at the link http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63.

russt | @russt | May 30, 2017

In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi Connie, Several members sharing in this group have bronchiectasis. Some have both MAC and bronchiectasis...." + (show)

Just what I hope to hear. Have you ever been to the site in Rochester? I tried to make an appointment at JAX and they told me they don't have any for some time, like you said, and refered me to an afiliate site in Pensacola. I work on the "Roman Coin Principal":
the futher you get away from Rome (Mayo) the less recognizable the coins (medical care) are to the coins struct in Rome, so Im setting my sites on Rodchester, since JAX is not available.
Hope you doing well.
Russ

russt | @russt | May 30, 2017

In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi Connie, Several members sharing in this group have bronchiectasis. Some have both MAC and bronchiectasis...." + (show)

Thank you Colleen.
Russ

Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor | @windwalker | May 30, 2017

In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi Connie, Several members sharing in this group have bronchiectasis. Some have both MAC and bronchiectasis...." + (show)

Wow! I had no idea they were so booked up now. Good for you to make
sure you get the BEST care.

conniec | @conniec | May 31, 2017

i have been trying to schedule for pulmonology at Mayo Rochester and they are also booked way out and said I just needed to call daily to see if anything opens up!!??

Katherine, Alumni Mentor | @katemn | Jun 11, 2017

Dear All .. am posting this video on this area because I think it is so good! Just found a GREAT explanation/video on Bronchiectasis and why the blood!! Watch it .. SO glad I found it!! Hope it helps you! Hugs! Katherine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeomndWSom8

Rona F | @ronaf | Jun 22, 2017

In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi Connie, Several members sharing in this group have bronchiectasis. Some have both MAC and bronchiectasis...." + (show)

I'm told by my pulmology-infectious disease Dr. at Stanford Medical (he's one of the best), if you have MAC you have bronchiectasis. However, you can have bronchiectasis without having MAC. I have both. Symptoms started with a persistent cough. However, I wasn't diagnosed until I had coughed up some blood. My PCP ordered a chest Xray right away. This came out abnormal. I then had a series of 3 sputum tests ( 3 days in a row). They did a fast culture, which came out to be NTM: non-tuberculosis myco- bacteria, or better known as MAC. The sputum test was then followed up with a CT scan.
One can have MAC for years without symptoms. My lung Dr. guessed I had it for months to years before coughing up the blood.

Katherine, Alumni Mentor | @katemn | Jun 22, 2017

In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi Connie, Several members sharing in this group have bronchiectasis. Some have both MAC and bronchiectasis...." + (show)

@ronaf, do you have a first name .. more personal! @ronaf, you are right on! By the way .. what is the name of you doctor at Stanford .. if you feel he is good I will add him to my File Cabinet .. we are always looking for good references! When you say "However, you can have bronchiectasis without having MAC." .. the PROBLEM is that the Bronchiectasis becomes a BREEDING ground for the MAC as well as other nasty bacteria .. sometimes before our Members even REALIZED they had the Bronchiectasis. It is a vicious cycle!

So glad you had a good doctor and got diagnosed. What meds are you on now and how are you doing? Glad you found us! Hugs! Katherine