Do Bronchiectasis and MAC go together?

@ronaf, my situation is very similar to yours. I had persistent dry cough and thick mucus for many, many years. My initial diagnosis was allergies and had been treated as such until one day out of the blue I coughed up blood. They thought it might be TB but 3 sputum tests suggested it was not TB. Then another series of 3 sputum tests (they did not look for MAC for the first round test) confirmed that I had MAC. My pulmonary doctor believed that I had had bronchiectasis for a very long time and caught MAC later on because of damaged bronchi. Although I have had a long history of bronchiectasis, so far I do not suffer from diminished lung function, at least not anything that is evident to me. I play tennis 2-3 times a week with no negative effect on my lungs.

My first name is Rona. Hi.
I realize one affects the other...i.e. bronchiectasis and MAC. My guess is, there are many who have MAC & may not know it because they haven't had symptoms, thus haven't been tested and diagnosed. My sister was diagnosed with bronchiectasis years ago. But never tested for MAC.I though of suggesting it to her. But decided against it. One of my exercise instructors has bronchiectasis, but evidently not MAC. I have no idea if she's been tested.
In any case, my Dr. is Dr. Stephen Ruoss. A busy guy, who also does clinical studies and research. I'm on 4 antibiotics. The orals are rifampin, azithromycin, and ethambutol. I was on IV amikacin for 5 months, because I have a cavity on my right upper lung. My Dr. wanted to "hit" it hard. I'm now on inhaled amikacin. I've been on treatment since August of 2016.
I'm doing better, feeling better mostly. As long as I sleep long and well, I feel fine.
My lungs were looking better in Jan. from my CT scan results, so, my Dr. took me off the IV & put me on the inhaled amikacin. I'll be going in for another CT in July.

Hi, Sounds similar. My coughing up blood came 2 months after the cough. My PCP gave me a cough suppressant. Didn't do a darn thing. Then when I coughed up blood I called her & she sent me in right away for the lung Xray. I've always had what I thought was allergies. Sneezing, blowing my nose. My Mom did also. I wouldn't be surprised if she had bronchiectasis. My sister was diagnosed with Bronchiectasis years ago. But has never went in for anymore tests. She feels fine and has no symptoms. My Dr. doesn't know which came first; the MAC or bronchiectasis.

@ronaf, good thing you didn't continue with the cough suppressant. Coughing helps us expel the mucus accumulated in our lungs. The excess mucus is hot bed for bacteria. When coughs are suppressed, it makes it easier for the bacteria to grow in our bronchi. MAC is ubiquitous. It is found in water and soil. Most people don't get sick when they are exposed to it. When some of us catch MAC, it is because of damaged/weakened bronchi making it likely for the bacteria to be trapped and fester. Not everybody who has bronchiectasis has MAC. But I'm not a doctor. I only state my personal understanding from what I have read about the problems.

@ronaf See?
Here is an example of a sputem test done correctly. Three consecutive days,
three samples. This is what Drs at the conference are trying to get passed as
the standard that ALL physicians use.
 

@ronaf Also want to add that your drs must be top notch if they are this
current as to do three sputem tests. Not many do it.
 

Stanford Medical in Palo Alto CA. is top notch. I'm lucky to live here.

@ronaf I'd say so.
 

@windwalker, Three sputum samples in 3 consecutive days. That was how mine was done. But I had to do two rounds of 3 samples because they thought I had TB in the beginning and were only testing for TB with the first 3 samples. When they came back negative for TB, they then ordered the second round of 3 samples for MAC.

@ling123,
Hello. Where did you have these samples tests done? JNH? Mayo? or private
practice? Just wondering who out there is doing a great job. Thanks!