Does anyone have upper back pain with MAC?

Thank you for responding. I go tomorrow for CT Scan.

@bberrs I’ve had pain in my upper middle back between my shoulders long before I was diagnosed with MAC. It’s mostly when I get up in the morning and it doesn’t last. Once I get moving it subsides. I’ve read here many times that doctors say that it’s not from the MAC. I still believe it is.

@lvalenti did you ever get clear answers to the pain in your upper middle back as my father is suffering excruciating pain around that area been treated for NTM MAC is it related to the disease or not? Thanks

I have MAC and Bronchioestaia and I also see a chiropractor and acupuncturist. The coughing is very hard on my back and at times throws out a vertebrae. These pains will go away with treatment.
The other pain I sometimes have I believe is related to the lungs and bronchial tubes. It comes and goes and at times prevents deep breaths. I will find myself making shallow breaths. During good lung times I don't have it.
I was diagnosed with MAC in 2012 but in 2010 had begun trying to find out the reason for my cough. I was a prescribed and wildland firefighter at the time and thought the cough was from smoke. After full physical I was told I was in good health even though the cough remained and pneumonia would be an outcome from a cold.
Later a sample from my lungs at MD Anderson revealed the MAC. I only just learned of the Bronchioestaia 3 months ago from a respiratory therapist even though I've been in the care of a pulmonologist since 2010.
I have always been proactive with my health. My disappointment in the medical system has been another issue to deal with. I feel if I had had the information I could have been a better more proactive person and my lungs wouldn't have deteriorated as much. I am making changes and hopefully all will be better.

@littlebuffalogal I have the exact same thing and sick to death of it. The last few weeks have been a nightmare with my upper back and my left lung where like you I cannot take a deep breath very often because the pain is excruciating. I see a chiro which helps only when it’s bad enough. Yesterday I went to see a physical therapist. Totally out of ideas, no longer see my doctors as they both said there’s nothing more they can do and I’m also now antibiotic resistant and have been taken off all. meds. Wish they would’ve checked earlier as antibiotics are powerful and I had been on them for 5 years, so there’s nothing that they can give me so between my nebulizing and taking natural stuff is all I have… This is a nightmare of a disease and I’m sorry for all of us that have to deal with it. We didn’t ask for it. Don’t mean to sound negative. But being in pain this long kind of gets to you. Take care guys.
Carley R.

@littlebuffalogal I have the exact same thing and sick to death of it. The last few weeks have been a nightmare with my upper back and my left lung where like you I cannot take a deep breath very often because the pain is excruciating. I see a chiro which helps only when it’s bad enough. Yesterday I went to see a physical therapist. Totally out of ideas, no longer see my doctors as they both said there’s nothing more they can do and I’m also now antibiotic resistant and have been taken off all. meds. Wish they would’ve checked earlier as antibiotics are powerful and I had been on them for 5 years, so there’s nothing that they can give me so between my nebulizing and taking natural stuff is all I have… This is a nightmare of a disease and I’m sorry for all of us that have to deal with it. We didn’t ask for it. Don’t mean to sound negative. But being in pain this long kind of gets to you. Take care guys.
Carley R.

@cahcb4769
I am sorry to hear this. Last July I was at MD Anderson in Houston,Texas. 2 masses showed in my lungs. A biopsy was done and a saline lung wash at the same time while I was sedated. They cultured all the lung fluid and ,yes I have MAC. Unbelievable results. The masses were infection, one was 5cm the other larger. Whew! Not cancer. I haven’t had a cough since. No more daily symptoms. At My check up with my pulmonologist in February in Branson I asked if he knew about lung washes. He said yes but wouldn’t answer my questions about why he didn’t do them. The infection nodes disappeared and I can now do my dailies and feel less susceptible to illness when around others.
I also was told there is a MAC specialty facility in Longview, Texas if I ever have symptoms again.
Imagine. A year without coughing up anything. A year without feeling like you’re drowning. The days I use to rarely are anymore. I wish the best for you. I can look up the name of the procedure and the sizes of the infection nodes if that helps. I did go thru breast cancer surgery and these nodes were directly behind the tumor but in my lungs.