1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

Extreme fatigue with MAC

Posted by src3acs @src3acs, Feb 26, 2018

Good Morning, I am new here so this may have been discussed before. I was diagnosed with MAC in 2012 after I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had a biopsy and lung wedge resection...both confirmed the MAC. In 2015 I had a bronchoscope done which again confirmed the MAC and bronchiectasis. I have seen a Pulmonologist, infectious disease and my primary care doctor. Everyone seems up in the air whether to treat or not. They seem to be leaving the decision up to me. I don't have a cough, I do have some shortness of breath occasionally but I am always tired. No matter how much I rest or sleep.....I am tired and sometimes exhausted after minor activity. Is fatigue a main symptom of the disease. Would treatment help my fatigue or make is worse. Thank you!

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

Mentor
Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor | @windwalker | Jul 8, 2018
In reply to @windwalker "@src3acs, As far as treatment goes, different doctors have different ideas about how to treat mac/bronchiectasis...." + (show)
@windwalker

@src3acs, As far as treatment goes, different doctors have different ideas about how to treat mac/bronchiectasis. That is what makes it so frustrating for us patients. One thing for sure is, you must arm yourself with as much information as you can about it. That way you know what questions to ask and also things you can do to help your situation. I have been on this site since 2016. I have seen one person come back on here and say that she has gone through the Big 3 antibiotic regimen and is mac free and has been for years. We can speculate that others got better also and just left the site. I have asked that those who are concluding their treatment to please check back and let us know how they are doing. They can be the beacon of hope to others. @irene5, had once said that she wishes she had gotten the Big 3 antibiotics sooner because of lung deterioration. (that was you wasn't it Irene?) I cannot say for sure that my delay in a regimented treatment didn't cause my lungs to get to the point where they are at now, which is very low lung function. Please do not panic or get depressed because of your diagnosis. Everyone's experience with this is different. For example: look at @ling123, she is proof that we can have this disease at varying levels. For some it is a minor impairment, for others it can be deadly, and most of us are somewhere in the middle. There is a lot of good information on this site about dealing with this disease, how you get it, how you prevent re-infection, etc. Medical sites like Mayo Clinic, John Hopkins, and National Jewish Health are also good sources. It is important that you do the work to learn all that you can about. We are here for you!

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@lisanova Hi Lisa, and welcome to Connect. Your story sounds a lot like mine. I had the same deal; when I would catch a cold, it would invariably turn into bronchitis or pneumonia. This started when I was in my mid-thirties. From that point on, my lungs went downhill, and then in 2005 - mac : ( I am glad that you are doing some back reading on our older threads because there is a lot of good info. I am also glad that you found Connect because all of us on here knows exactly what you are going through, and we are here for you.

REPLY
Mentor
Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor | @windwalker | Jul 8, 2018
In reply to @windwalker "@src3acs, As far as treatment goes, different doctors have different ideas about how to treat mac/bronchiectasis...." + (show)
@windwalker

@src3acs, As far as treatment goes, different doctors have different ideas about how to treat mac/bronchiectasis. That is what makes it so frustrating for us patients. One thing for sure is, you must arm yourself with as much information as you can about it. That way you know what questions to ask and also things you can do to help your situation. I have been on this site since 2016. I have seen one person come back on here and say that she has gone through the Big 3 antibiotic regimen and is mac free and has been for years. We can speculate that others got better also and just left the site. I have asked that those who are concluding their treatment to please check back and let us know how they are doing. They can be the beacon of hope to others. @irene5, had once said that she wishes she had gotten the Big 3 antibiotics sooner because of lung deterioration. (that was you wasn't it Irene?) I cannot say for sure that my delay in a regimented treatment didn't cause my lungs to get to the point where they are at now, which is very low lung function. Please do not panic or get depressed because of your diagnosis. Everyone's experience with this is different. For example: look at @ling123, she is proof that we can have this disease at varying levels. For some it is a minor impairment, for others it can be deadly, and most of us are somewhere in the middle. There is a lot of good information on this site about dealing with this disease, how you get it, how you prevent re-infection, etc. Medical sites like Mayo Clinic, John Hopkins, and National Jewish Health are also good sources. It is important that you do the work to learn all that you can about. We are here for you!

Jump to this post

@lisanova Hi. Funny, I just had this conversation today with my husband. Why is it mostly women who get bronchiectasis & mac? Could our hormones have something to do with it? Or does testosterone keep you from getting it? Do I need to consider a gender reassignment surgery??? (Just kidding on that last one.)

REPLY
Mentor
Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor | @windwalker | Jul 8, 2018
In reply to @windwalker "@src3acs, As far as treatment goes, different doctors have different ideas about how to treat mac/bronchiectasis...." + (show)
@windwalker

@src3acs, As far as treatment goes, different doctors have different ideas about how to treat mac/bronchiectasis. That is what makes it so frustrating for us patients. One thing for sure is, you must arm yourself with as much information as you can about it. That way you know what questions to ask and also things you can do to help your situation. I have been on this site since 2016. I have seen one person come back on here and say that she has gone through the Big 3 antibiotic regimen and is mac free and has been for years. We can speculate that others got better also and just left the site. I have asked that those who are concluding their treatment to please check back and let us know how they are doing. They can be the beacon of hope to others. @irene5, had once said that she wishes she had gotten the Big 3 antibiotics sooner because of lung deterioration. (that was you wasn't it Irene?) I cannot say for sure that my delay in a regimented treatment didn't cause my lungs to get to the point where they are at now, which is very low lung function. Please do not panic or get depressed because of your diagnosis. Everyone's experience with this is different. For example: look at @ling123, she is proof that we can have this disease at varying levels. For some it is a minor impairment, for others it can be deadly, and most of us are somewhere in the middle. There is a lot of good information on this site about dealing with this disease, how you get it, how you prevent re-infection, etc. Medical sites like Mayo Clinic, John Hopkins, and National Jewish Health are also good sources. It is important that you do the work to learn all that you can about. We are here for you!

Jump to this post

@nick52 Thank you Nicole! I am SO HAPPY for that great report. Keep it up!

REPLY
Mentor
Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor | @windwalker | Jul 8, 2018
In reply to @windwalker "@src3acs, As far as treatment goes, different doctors have different ideas about how to treat mac/bronchiectasis...." + (show)
@windwalker

@src3acs, As far as treatment goes, different doctors have different ideas about how to treat mac/bronchiectasis. That is what makes it so frustrating for us patients. One thing for sure is, you must arm yourself with as much information as you can about it. That way you know what questions to ask and also things you can do to help your situation. I have been on this site since 2016. I have seen one person come back on here and say that she has gone through the Big 3 antibiotic regimen and is mac free and has been for years. We can speculate that others got better also and just left the site. I have asked that those who are concluding their treatment to please check back and let us know how they are doing. They can be the beacon of hope to others. @irene5, had once said that she wishes she had gotten the Big 3 antibiotics sooner because of lung deterioration. (that was you wasn't it Irene?) I cannot say for sure that my delay in a regimented treatment didn't cause my lungs to get to the point where they are at now, which is very low lung function. Please do not panic or get depressed because of your diagnosis. Everyone's experience with this is different. For example: look at @ling123, she is proof that we can have this disease at varying levels. For some it is a minor impairment, for others it can be deadly, and most of us are somewhere in the middle. There is a lot of good information on this site about dealing with this disease, how you get it, how you prevent re-infection, etc. Medical sites like Mayo Clinic, John Hopkins, and National Jewish Health are also good sources. It is important that you do the work to learn all that you can about. We are here for you!

Jump to this post

@lisanova You are right. Exercise is a must. There are days that I have to force myself into activity, but I always feel better and breathe better afterwards. I find that riding my bike really helps.

REPLY
Mentor
Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor | @windwalker | Jul 8, 2018
In reply to @soflo "@alleycatkate Hi" + (show)

@alleycatkate Hi Kate. It is possible that the SVT is a result of my dental strife. I didn't think about that. As of yesterday, all things are better with me. I have an appt on Tues to get botox injection in my jaw muscle for the TMJ. It finally stopped hurting, but think I should go through w/the botox as a deterrent.

REPLY
tdrell | @tdrell | Jul 9, 2018
In reply to @soflo "@alleycatkate Hi" + (show)

@windwalker...how about a bite splint for grinding at night.i noticed they sell them OTC for 25$ tdrell

REPLY
Mentor
Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor | @windwalker | Jul 9, 2018
In reply to @soflo "@alleycatkate Hi" + (show)

@tdrell I had one custom made through my dentist. Will wear it religeously! Thank you the tip though.

REPLY
tdrell | @tdrell | Jul 9, 2018
In reply to @soflo "@alleycatkate Hi" + (show)

@windwalker ...35 years ago I was diagnosed in my jaw with Myofaschial Pain Disorder/dysfunction....often confused with TMJ. That is how I ended up with the bite splint and muscle relaxants. Check it out before any injections...terri aka tdrell

REPLY
nick52 | @nick52 | Jul 9, 2018
In reply to @windwalker "@src3acs, As far as treatment goes, different doctors have different ideas about how to treat mac/bronchiectasis...." + (show)
@windwalker

@src3acs, As far as treatment goes, different doctors have different ideas about how to treat mac/bronchiectasis. That is what makes it so frustrating for us patients. One thing for sure is, you must arm yourself with as much information as you can about it. That way you know what questions to ask and also things you can do to help your situation. I have been on this site since 2016. I have seen one person come back on here and say that she has gone through the Big 3 antibiotic regimen and is mac free and has been for years. We can speculate that others got better also and just left the site. I have asked that those who are concluding their treatment to please check back and let us know how they are doing. They can be the beacon of hope to others. @irene5, had once said that she wishes she had gotten the Big 3 antibiotics sooner because of lung deterioration. (that was you wasn't it Irene?) I cannot say for sure that my delay in a regimented treatment didn't cause my lungs to get to the point where they are at now, which is very low lung function. Please do not panic or get depressed because of your diagnosis. Everyone's experience with this is different. For example: look at @ling123, she is proof that we can have this disease at varying levels. For some it is a minor impairment, for others it can be deadly, and most of us are somewhere in the middle. There is a lot of good information on this site about dealing with this disease, how you get it, how you prevent re-infection, etc. Medical sites like Mayo Clinic, John Hopkins, and National Jewish Health are also good sources. It is important that you do the work to learn all that you can about. We are here for you!

Jump to this post

@lisanova were you a smoker? Do you have acid reflux or an issue with digestions? I am glad to hear you will consider taking the probiotic with you big 3.  My doctor explain to me that most nodules are mostly benign but they follow with ctscan to make sure

it is not a tumor.  If you nodules are lesser in sizes it is a good sign, i have never taken the big three but once my ctscan was revealing bigger nodules but I was asymptomatic so I took Clear Lung to clear the congestion and 3 months after they were decrease

in size so if you do not tolerate the big 3 that is another option for you.  It work for me. Nodules are due to the dilatation on the bronchial (bronchiectasis). Keep taking good care of yourself! MAC can also be there but not being active.  I think you will

have good results from probiotic. Remember you take them 4 hours after your antibiotic.  If you have to take antibiotic 3 times a day well take the probiotic during the night. Nick I will send you divine energy!

REPLY
Jo Ann K | @jkiemen | Jul 9, 2018
In reply to @windwalker "@src3acs, As far as treatment goes, different doctors have different ideas about how to treat mac/bronchiectasis...." + (show)
@windwalker

@src3acs, As far as treatment goes, different doctors have different ideas about how to treat mac/bronchiectasis. That is what makes it so frustrating for us patients. One thing for sure is, you must arm yourself with as much information as you can about it. That way you know what questions to ask and also things you can do to help your situation. I have been on this site since 2016. I have seen one person come back on here and say that she has gone through the Big 3 antibiotic regimen and is mac free and has been for years. We can speculate that others got better also and just left the site. I have asked that those who are concluding their treatment to please check back and let us know how they are doing. They can be the beacon of hope to others. @irene5, had once said that she wishes she had gotten the Big 3 antibiotics sooner because of lung deterioration. (that was you wasn't it Irene?) I cannot say for sure that my delay in a regimented treatment didn't cause my lungs to get to the point where they are at now, which is very low lung function. Please do not panic or get depressed because of your diagnosis. Everyone's experience with this is different. For example: look at @ling123, she is proof that we can have this disease at varying levels. For some it is a minor impairment, for others it can be deadly, and most of us are somewhere in the middle. There is a lot of good information on this site about dealing with this disease, how you get it, how you prevent re-infection, etc. Medical sites like Mayo Clinic, John Hopkins, and National Jewish Health are also good sources. It is important that you do the work to learn all that you can about. We are here for you!

Jump to this post

@lisanova Sounds very similar to my case. I often wonder also why it is affecting women so much more.

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