I buy the saline nose rinse at the pharmacy and use that. I would worry that the neti pot might harbor bacteria. I'm not clear why neti pots are so popular when it's easy and fairly inexpensive to purchase the sterile saline and it seems more sanitary.

@jenblalock, You are right to worry about sanitation. The netti pots have to be sterilized before each use, and water boiled with a little salt added. I guess it is cheaper and more convenient for some folks. I use the squeeze bulb like they use for newborns. I rinse it out with vinegar then boiling water when it is cooled down just a tad. Then use boiled salt water in the nose rinse. I do not do this very often; only when I have a problem with post nasal drip.

Ling123....I think I have heard speakers say it is hard to know ...a type of chicken or egg scenario...with bronchiectasis and MAC. Tdrell

@tdrell That maybe. But I've had frequent coughing and excessive mucus for over 20 years without proper diagnosis. I went through treatments for allergies, post nasal dripping, etc. because doctors thought these might be the cause of my coughing and excessive mucus. But nothing worked. When I was diagnosed with MAC after coughing up large amount of blood, I went to a pulmonary specialist and was told that I had bronchiectasis. Now the years of persistent coughing and mucus all made sense. The pulmonary doctor told me the thickening and roughing of my airways was not a new thing and I believe him. And he also said the condition of my airways created the hot bed for MAC to fester. And that made a lot of sense to me. I'm otherwise very healthy and don't have any other lung issues or immune system weakening. So I don't think MAC caused my bronchiectasis. Rather it is the other way around.

@ling123 That's good to know for you - in your case. Every case is different including my story. My lungs were clear in an Xray in 2014. By 2016 when I was diagnosed with MAC, I had cavitary lesions that showed on the Xray. I also had mild bronchiectasis. In my case I'm pretty sure the MAC caused the lesions but I'll never know for sure. That's impossible.

@jenblalock You are right. These lung problems are so frustrating because everybody has a different condition that has led to infections and no case is clear cut. Besides, the available treatment is also a double-edged sword. While the antibiotics may kill the bugs, they may also do damage to other parts of your body. It is a very tricky thing to manage the balance.

@ling123 Yes. Very frustrating. I am glad I am now off meds but always worry what's lurking down there in my lungs.

@jenblalock My pulmonary doctor didn't think my infection was serious enough to warrant the big three when I first had MAC. He wanted to wait to see if the infection would clear up without them. But he would prescribe them for me if I chose to go on meds. I say I wanted to wait. A year and half later, my lungs had not gotten worse the last time I had the followup with him. In fact the condition was improved somewhat. So I know I had made the right decision. But we have decided that we'll still take the wait and see road and not completely drop the option of getting on the meds. I'm glad you are no longer having to take the meds. If you have regular followup and the conditions of your lungs are not worsening, then you should stop worrying and get on with the more pleasant side of your life. I know it's easier said than done. But we can't let this take away our ability to enjoy what life has to offer. Talk about enjoying life, here is my best wishes for a great holiday for you and your family.

@ling123 You are correct! I think I will do just that. Thank you and have a wonderful holiday!

Ling123 your history sounds like mine! Tdrell