@ahoura9 Fear of antibiotic therapy for NTM has been "fed" by the internet, out of proportion to the actual risks. Remember, only those who have issues with a particular therapy tend to post about it, while those who tolerate go quietly about their business. There are cautions given while using the meds to recognize serious side effects early and deal with them.

For example, "in the moment" while I was on antibiotics for almost 2 years, I had some bad times. I resorted to this group for help with weight loss, gastric issues, and fatigue. Within a year after stopping, all signs of the side effects were gone.

Think about NTM treatment this way - doctors approach treating infections and other conditions starting with the least invasive/destructive therapy or protocol, and advance to other methods as more conservative measures fail.

Antibiotic therapy, even long-term, has far fewer risks than surgery.

Both lung reduction and resection are MAJOR surgeries which carry significant risks for complication and infection. And according to my RN daughter, you may still need to take antibiotics for weeks to months afterwards.

If you cannot tolerate the antibiotics AND the infection is progressing, that is when a competent pulmonologist may consider referring you for surgery.

Do you have NTM mow, and if so, have your doctors tried "watch and wait" with airway clearance to see if your body can manage the infection on its own?