1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

What causes the bacteria to grow in some people and not other?

Posted by 1478 @1478, Jan 11, 2018

My mother was just diagnosed with MAC, having "the cough" for awhile now. After researching the internet all over the world on this bacteria culprit, I am trying to find out why the cilia in the lungs get damaged and allow this bacteria to invade. This bacteria is everywhere (water,soil) mostly. What has happened that people are getting this a lot NOW? Can anyone answer these three questions so that we may link WHY this bacteria may be getting stronger for some, please. There has been a 30% increase of the diagnosis of MAC in the last 20 years. It seems to be a large number of small, petite white woman, getting diagnosed between the ages of 61-17, in the little bit of studies that have done. I want to find the connection! I am also in the medical field, and don't want MAC when I get to 61 years old. (10 years)

Have you ever smoked? how long? when did you quit?
Have you ever been an RN, or worked in the medical field?
Have you ever had whooping cough?
What part of the country were you raised?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the MAC & Bronchiectasis Support Group.

1478 | @1478 | Jan 14, 2018

Thank you!! this is more great information. Your story confirms the direction I'm going in my study, which is very similar to mine and my mother's. My niece has her Master's in Epidemiology and we have been going through the TB history with the connection to MAC/MAI The other direction is hormones, or the changes with menopause. We already know the transmitters from the pituitary via Hypothalamus glands help control stomach acids and histamines and more. Lots more to go....This is all helps.

REPLY
sharonestabrook | @sharonestabrook | Jan 14, 2018
In reply to @ronaf "I think it's very likely there's a genetic component to both Bronchiectasis and MAC. My sister..." + (show)
@ronaf

I think it's very likely there's a genetic component to both Bronchiectasis and MAC. My sister was diagnosed w/ Bronchiectasis some years ago. I wouldn't be surprised if my Mother had it also. She was often clearing her throat, blowing her nose and coughing. And yes, it's more common in post menopausal, slight women. There may also be an immune issue involved with the infection. However, when I talked to my specialist about it, he said, as of now, there's no way to tell. There hasn't been enough research done in this area. Maybe someday soon there will be.

Jump to this post

I hope it helps. I haven't needed any heartburn medication since starting it.

REPLY
Mentor
Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor | @windwalker | Jan 15, 2018
In reply to @carla1196 "Hi everyone. I also have been told I have pulmanary MAC . I found out back..." + (show)
@carla1196

Hi everyone. I also have been told I have pulmanary MAC . I found out back in March of 2017 that I have this. I had been in the hospital 2 time with pneumonia both times with in a year of each other. When I was told about MAC I was also told for mor information, to read up on Lady Windermier as well.
I smoked for over 25 years but quit 2 years ago. I have been on the 3 medications for 8 months now with lots of side effects. I was just taken off the ethembuthol last month due to serious breathing problems. I do not have acid reflux and never have. I was raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. I am of very small frame weighing only 97lbs now. I use to weigh about 115 before I caught the 1st bout of pneumoniaa couple of years ago. I was 54 when I found out I had this and I never worked in the medical field.
I hope also you can find a connection. Best of luck to everyone who is fighting this terriable thing. HUGS

Jump to this post

@carla1196, There is what they call 'silent acid reflux' because it has no symptoms. It is possible that you are inhaling stomach acid when you sleep at night. That, doctors believe is the cause of bronchiectasis and/or mac infection. I personally do not think testing for it is nessessary, you could try taking the precautions as if you knew you had it. The biggie is not eating or drinking anything three hours before bedtime. Especially alcohol, and only small sips of water. Avoid or limit highly acidic foods like tomatoe sauce, lemonade, alcohol, grapefruit, etc. so that the esophagus can heal over. You can take a prilosec 30 mins prior to eating to lower the acid level in your stomach. Can raise the headboard of your bed higher so that gravity keeps your stomach acid in the stomach. I sleep on two pillows to raise my head although they say that is not good enough. But, I breath better with a raised head. You can Google Silent Acid Reflux to learn more about it.

REPLY
Mentor
Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor | @windwalker | Jan 17, 2018

@1478, Hi there. Those are good questions. I have been on this site since 2016, and since I became a mentor, I have documented many things. One thing that stands out more than the others is that people working in the medical field or work in the public school system tend to get mac. About 85% of the women on this site infected with mac were nurses for many years as well as school teachers. There are two common denominators here: one is exposure to many people and their germs & illness, the other is the use of commercial grade cleansers that may be creating super-bugs in theses institutions.

REPLY
6 replies
1478 | @1478 | Jan 17, 2018
In reply to @windwalker "@1478, Hi there. Those are good questions. I have been on this site since 2016, and..." + (show)
@windwalker

@1478, Hi there. Those are good questions. I have been on this site since 2016, and since I became a mentor, I have documented many things. One thing that stands out more than the others is that people working in the medical field or work in the public school system tend to get mac. About 85% of the women on this site infected with mac were nurses for many years as well as school teachers. There are two common denominators here: one is exposure to many people and their germs & illness, the other is the use of commercial grade cleansers that may be creating super-bugs in theses institutions.

Jump to this post

You hit the nail on the head!! I'm thankful for your insight and experience since 2016. I have learned so much and have been able to pass it to my mom. She is doing well, but has a hard time reading and gathering information, so I'm trying to help out. I'm also trying to understand because I have the same precursors to getting this bacteria. It is great to see so many supporting each other here. God Bless you.

REPLY
Mentor
Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor | @windwalker | Jan 17, 2018
In reply to @windwalker "@1478, Hi there. Those are good questions. I have been on this site since 2016, and..." + (show)
@windwalker

@1478, Hi there. Those are good questions. I have been on this site since 2016, and since I became a mentor, I have documented many things. One thing that stands out more than the others is that people working in the medical field or work in the public school system tend to get mac. About 85% of the women on this site infected with mac were nurses for many years as well as school teachers. There are two common denominators here: one is exposure to many people and their germs & illness, the other is the use of commercial grade cleansers that may be creating super-bugs in theses institutions.

Jump to this post

@1478, Cheryl, your mother is blessed to have you advocating for her. It really is hard for older people, (and some younger folks) especially if they are not comfortable using computers and Google, or just feel too sick to get online. Like you said, it is good for you to be prepared in the event that you are predisposed to catching it. If you have not already, you can read how to 'Prevent Reinfection' on this site. These tips can help keep you safe as well. @colleenyoung , can you please send Cheryl the link about reinfection?

REPLY
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jan 17, 2018
In reply to @windwalker "@1478, Hi there. Those are good questions. I have been on this site since 2016, and..." + (show)
@windwalker

@1478, Hi there. Those are good questions. I have been on this site since 2016, and since I became a mentor, I have documented many things. One thing that stands out more than the others is that people working in the medical field or work in the public school system tend to get mac. About 85% of the women on this site infected with mac were nurses for many years as well as school teachers. There are two common denominators here: one is exposure to many people and their germs & illness, the other is the use of commercial grade cleansers that may be creating super-bugs in theses institutions.

Jump to this post

Thanks for the tag @windwalker

Cheryl, here are discussion in the group about re-infection and prevention:
- Possible causes of MAC/MAI Re-Infections https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/possible-causes-of-macmai-re-infections
- How To Prevent Re-Infection of MAC/MAI https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-to-prevent-re-infection-of-macmai/

REPLY
Mentor
Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor | @windwalker | Jan 17, 2018

@colleenyoung , Thank you, Colleen!

REPLY
Mentor
Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor | @windwalker | Jan 17, 2018
In reply to @windwalker "@1478, Hi there. Those are good questions. I have been on this site since 2016, and..." + (show)
@windwalker

@1478, Hi there. Those are good questions. I have been on this site since 2016, and since I became a mentor, I have documented many things. One thing that stands out more than the others is that people working in the medical field or work in the public school system tend to get mac. About 85% of the women on this site infected with mac were nurses for many years as well as school teachers. There are two common denominators here: one is exposure to many people and their germs & illness, the other is the use of commercial grade cleansers that may be creating super-bugs in theses institutions.

Jump to this post

@1478, Cheryl, did you get a chance to read the links that Colleen posted for you?

REPLY
1478 | @1478 | Jan 18, 2018
In reply to @windwalker "@1478, Hi there. Those are good questions. I have been on this site since 2016, and..." + (show)
@windwalker

@1478, Hi there. Those are good questions. I have been on this site since 2016, and since I became a mentor, I have documented many things. One thing that stands out more than the others is that people working in the medical field or work in the public school system tend to get mac. About 85% of the women on this site infected with mac were nurses for many years as well as school teachers. There are two common denominators here: one is exposure to many people and their germs & illness, the other is the use of commercial grade cleansers that may be creating super-bugs in theses institutions.

Jump to this post

Thank you so much!! All this knowledge brings wisdom.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.