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.

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 if the nodules has decrease it is a very good sign. It means it is not tumor and also the only way for sure to have a positive effective MAC diagnostic is by getting a bronchoscopy.  It will clean your lungs and it will also confirm by the lab if

you have a MAC.  The big 3 is only for MAC and it wasn’t proven effective neither so you want want to try CLEAR LUNG when you feel congested or out of breath a bit more than usual to clear the infection so it won’t turn into pneumonia.  It was the same for

me but my lung dr followed the result  by  another scan 3 months later so the nodules had decrease then. Then the postpone the CTCan 6 months later. It look the same micro-nodules and bronchiectasis comparable to the last one.  I had no symptoms much coughing

once and a while but nothing to think it was abnormal. The bronchiectasis happened after a big pneumonia in 2009 and unfortunately it had to dilate the bronchial (bronchiectasis) at the end of the bronchial what is called tree-buds and this is where the infection

shows nodules. They followed me for 3 to 4 years and my lung DR suggested a bronchoscopy to clean the lungs not because I had symptoms.  Then when the lab result came back it confirmed a MAC in 2014. I was referred to an infection Dr. For the MAC.  Because

I didn’t had to much symptoms he explained to me that the treatment was the BIG 3 and it had amore secondary effects than effective healing so he suggested to keep a follow up every year with CTSCAN instead so I have done that until last year with that Dr

and he said you are doing so well that I don’t need to see you anymore. If it gets worst your pulmonary Dr will send me again. I have a ctscan every year after. I will have one every two years if I keep the way I am now. The dilation of the tree bud will always

show micro-nodules from what I understood on the scan so I am not worrying about it.  I am glad that I had prevention Dr. They don’t give a pill at the first sign. The last bronchoscopy last year 2017 confirm no MAC.  Sputum is not an accurate test.  When

I had the MAC the sputum confirmed no MAC and my dr. Said sputum is not accurate.  

It is so confusing having so many opinions from doctors. I am glad mine are on the prevention side.  My dr said it is worst with people who has COPD or any other lung problems. Best to you Lisa ! Keep taking good care of yourself!

Why women?  It is a good question.  I don’t think they have the answer to it! Nick

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@windwalker my doctor said to me last week that bronchiectasis are seen on people who are smokers or have had many pneumonia when  they were young or older.  He give ma a prescriptions of Havelox (antibiotic) (spare) always with me in case I start

a cold and I feel some congestion, he said do not wait start your antibiotic for 10 days to make sure you don’t get a pneumonia.  We can also get bronchiectasis from aspiration of liquid or acid reflux in our lungs.  Why women I think our system isn’t as strong

as a men so I am ordering my reincarnation lol just joking! Nick

REPLY
nick52 | @nick52 | Jul 9, 2018
In reply to @soflo "@alleycatkate Hi" + (show)

@windwalker are you sure you want to do the botox for your TMJ?? 

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 I often think if some famous person were to get this and it got allot of publicity, then we might see more being done about this or if more Men were to get this, would we see more being done. How can we get our voices heard that we need more research, quicker approval for the Nitric Oxide trials etc

REPLY
Mentor
Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor | @windwalker | Jul 10, 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

@jkiemen One way to get our voices heard is to register on http://www.ntminfo.org I am registered. You remain unknown unless you make yourself known. All of us should be registered there. That way, grants for more resrarch get given, but the gov't and other grantors want to see real numbers. They need to see that it is a growing number of people.

REPLY
Jane S. Brown | @macjane | Jul 10, 2018
In reply to @macjane "Again, thank you for your time. Our son lives just miles away from Cleveland Clinic." + (show)
@macjane

Again, thank you for your time. Our son lives just miles away from Cleveland Clinic.

Jump to this post

Would Cleveland Clinic be another place for good second opinion? 3 hours away?

REPLY
Jane S. Brown | @macjane | Jul 10, 2018
In reply to @tdrell "@src3acs....agree with you totally Re this group....amazing...supportive...knowledgeable ...empathetic...,the list goes on. When you have time (..." + (show)
@tdrell

@src3acs....agree with you totally Re this group....amazing...supportive...knowledgeable ...empathetic...,the list goes on. When you have time ( and energy) try to review from the start. When you do, you will come across links to various taped workshops given in the past Re NTM and treatment etc.
Also do you know about the site “NTMinfo.org”....interesting. With lots of links.
Questions /comments that I have after reading your messages and that of others
- have you had sputum cultures done...how many and their results?
-have you ever had a sleep study done to see if you have sleep apnea?
- are blood studies normal...do you have anemia?
- you mentioned cardiology... have you had a stress test and nuclear scan.,,,I ask cause 3 years ago I had extreme fatigue....BUT my EKG AND Stress test were normal.....my sharp cardiologist ordered

Jump to this post

Terri, I Sleep sometimes 45 minutes a night, if that. Does anyone get horrific nightmares that hold on 5 or 6 times a night?

REPLY
Jane S. Brown | @macjane | Jul 10, 2018
In reply to @src3acs "@tdrell ....hi there and thank you for your response. Lets see where to start. I had..." + (show)
@src3acs

@tdrell ....hi there and thank you for your response. Lets see where to start. I had an echocardiogram on my heart almost a year ago. Did a sleep test over the summer...all normal. Just has blood work done 2 months ago all normal expect my Vit. D is low again and I do take supplements every day. No sputum cultures because a biopsy, then wedge resection, and bronchoscope all showed positive for MAC. Yearly CT show the MAC and bronchiectasis. Where the MAC came from I do not know. Starting at age 17 I had a spontaneous pneumothorax......again in my early 20's and I was a smoker at the time. Had surgery on both my lungs by the time I was 21. Had a few bouts with pleurisy, in my 20's and 30's and had pneumonia 3x in my 30's. Quit smoking 16+ years ago and I'm in my early 50's now. Spent some time in hot tubs in my 20's and I've been to Florida several times. Like you said there is the shower head and soil. Yes, it's very green where I live but I have never had allergies. Not to say I can't get them now. I have had shortness of breath for a year or so now and I use ProAir Respiclick when needed......the fatigue would come and go.....now it's here more often. By 2pm yesterday I wanted to crawl under my desk and take a nap. Today not as tired. I over sleep just about every morning! To be honest...sometimes I am just too tired to take a shower. Going for a pulmonology follow-up the 12th. Maybe I need a new pulm function test to see if there are any changes.

I will say I am happy to hear you caught the blockage in your heart before there was any damage.

I am so grateful for the responses I am getting from everyone. I will take a look around and see what other information I can find. Thank you!

Jump to this post

My Vitamin D level is very low but nothing done to stabilize any of this. Does anyone have very irregular bowel movements? Or gross headaches in morning?

REPLY
Sophie | @sophie1019 | Jul 11, 2018
In reply to @src3acs "@tdrell ....hi there and thank you for your response. Lets see where to start. I had..." + (show)
@src3acs

@tdrell ....hi there and thank you for your response. Lets see where to start. I had an echocardiogram on my heart almost a year ago. Did a sleep test over the summer...all normal. Just has blood work done 2 months ago all normal expect my Vit. D is low again and I do take supplements every day. No sputum cultures because a biopsy, then wedge resection, and bronchoscope all showed positive for MAC. Yearly CT show the MAC and bronchiectasis. Where the MAC came from I do not know. Starting at age 17 I had a spontaneous pneumothorax......again in my early 20's and I was a smoker at the time. Had surgery on both my lungs by the time I was 21. Had a few bouts with pleurisy, in my 20's and 30's and had pneumonia 3x in my 30's. Quit smoking 16+ years ago and I'm in my early 50's now. Spent some time in hot tubs in my 20's and I've been to Florida several times. Like you said there is the shower head and soil. Yes, it's very green where I live but I have never had allergies. Not to say I can't get them now. I have had shortness of breath for a year or so now and I use ProAir Respiclick when needed......the fatigue would come and go.....now it's here more often. By 2pm yesterday I wanted to crawl under my desk and take a nap. Today not as tired. I over sleep just about every morning! To be honest...sometimes I am just too tired to take a shower. Going for a pulmonology follow-up the 12th. Maybe I need a new pulm function test to see if there are any changes.

I will say I am happy to hear you caught the blockage in your heart before there was any damage.

I am so grateful for the responses I am getting from everyone. I will take a look around and see what other information I can find. Thank you!

Jump to this post

Good morning - try eating Activia. It works for me. I eat one every morning, and it helps with digestion. When I was on the Big 3, my stomach hurt all the time. Once I started eating Activia, my stomach problems went away. Good luck to you. Also, I don't suffer from headaches.....

REPLY
Mentor
Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor | @windwalker | Jul 11, 2018
In reply to @macjane "Again, thank you for your time. Our son lives just miles away from Cleveland Clinic." + (show)
@macjane

Again, thank you for your time. Our son lives just miles away from Cleveland Clinic.

Jump to this post

@macjane I would think Cleveland Clinic would be a good place to go. They have an excellent reputation.

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