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Cavity and headed to Big 3

Posted by jgb1997 @jgb1997, Feb 21 7:29am

I've learned so much from this group. Thank you!! Wish I found it sooner! Wondering if anyone else in this situatrion and your decision making and experience.
I'm a very (otherwise) healthy, active 73 year old NJ woman- diagnosed with bronchiectasis and MAC 3 yrs ago via cardio calcium score (!) Had no symptoms whatsoever. Pulmo said watchful waiting. Did not know about importance of airway clearance then (ugh), so was not nebulizing. Aug 2025 - cavity. Nebulizing daily 7% saline since then. Of course, pulmonologist has been pushing Big 3.
Dec 2025 Catscan - cavity somewhat stable. Also - sputum shows MAC abscessus. By now I have seen 3 pulmo drs - of course all pushing antibiotics to address MAC only - not abscessus for now.
Still - no symptoms other than very minor congestion.
I understand that the cavity is the dividing line to start antibiotics - and I am most likely headed that way, but very concerned about side effects.
I also have been seeing a holistic Dr., eating well, supplements, exercise, etc. Very, very thankful to feel healthy and strong!
The decision to start antibiotics is a hard call to make when you feel great!
Thank you for sharing your experience and any thoughts!

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cwal | @cwal | Feb 26 6:24am
In reply to @kris2468 "@visions63 I wish you good luck and positive outcome for your surgery. No, I will stay..." + (show)
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@visions63 I wish you good luck and positive outcome for your surgery. No, I will stay on the antibiotics for now. Standard protocol is the three antibiotics for six months after a negative sputum culture. I sent in three sputum cultures last week while at NJH and it should take about six weeks to get the results. So I am looking at at least six more months on Azithromycin, Rifampin and Ethambutol.

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@kris2468
I thought protocol was one year after a negative sputum for the antibiotics?

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kris2468 | @kris2468 | Feb 26 7:49am
In reply to @cwal "@kris2468 I thought protocol was one year after a negative sputum for the antibiotics?" + (show)
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@kris2468
I thought protocol was one year after a negative sputum for the antibiotics?

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@cwal yes I was just told that too. Dr Haas told me that if my sputum sample comes back negative February 2027 will be the final month of The Big Three. That would be a total of 18 months on the antibiotics.

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cwal | @cwal | Feb 26 9:37am
In reply to @kris2468 "@cwal yes I was just told that too. Dr Haas told me that if my sputum..." + (show)
Profile picture for kris2468 @kris2468

@cwal yes I was just told that too. Dr Haas told me that if my sputum sample comes back negative February 2027 will be the final month of The Big Three. That would be a total of 18 months on the antibiotics.

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@kris2468 Gotcha! Thanks for the clarification.

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jenny0822 | @jenny0822 | Feb 27 8:39pm

Sounds like my situation. I was on the 3 and couldn’t tolerate the Arykace. I got pulled off. I now take Azithromycin and ethambutol. I can’t say that I’m side effect free but so far so good. Get baseline on hearing and sight. Get checked monthly for both. I suggest you move forward. I fought it too. I get it. Just jump in and watch. You’ll be ok.

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