Working and holding a job while suffering from NTM (MAC)

Hi sorry it took so long to respond. My notices are going to my SPAM folder and I have been away. Although I have bronchiectasis and MAC/MAI (diagnosed from a lung resection 2 years ago to have a nodule removed). I don’t have any symptoms. No weight loss, fatigue, night sweats. I have never been prescribed any antibiotics so I have no side effects. I use my Aerobika twice a day with 50 breaths each time for lung clearance. I just recently retired, I was a Speech teacher in a NYC public school. I don’t think my job was very physically difficult so I had no problems going to work. I’m sorry I can’t be of much help. I have noticed a lot of the members seem to work in education or in the medical field, (nurses). I can’t remember which member was keeping track of everyone’s profession to see if there was some commonality between those of us with MAC, I’m not sure if she ever found anything, but, unfortunately, I don’t remember who it was. Personally, I would be careful about breathing in the types of chemicals you must deal with daily; hairspray, straightening solutions, dyes, etc. No need to put any additional stress on our lungs. Definitely speak to your Dr to make an informed decision. Best of luck.
Gina

@windwalker Hi, thanks so much for your response. I do have bronchiectasis and MAC. I don't work with bleach or hair colour right now, just hair product as I work at a blow-dry bar and not a full salon. I am considering a career change in the long run because as you said this job is very physical and one way or another involves using chemicals. But till then I might have to stick with it for a bit longer.
I should mention I was diagnosed 2 years ago and but I didn't have any symptoms as in night sweat or weight loss. Untill recently I had few episodes of coughing up blood and chest pain. I am better now and on more antibiotics but I find my lungs more sensitive now to dust and so forth... I will keep you posted after I speak to my Doctor about it.

Hi there. Yes...I've continued to work full time but thank Goodness I don't have an extremely physical job. My career is in employment law/human resources. I've been at my company for years and am fortunate enough to work for one where I can eat a lunch at my desk then go lay down in the women's lounge for an hour to get me through the day. It's hard no matter what kind of job we have dealing with this disease. Some times are better than others. I get "flare ups" causing me to get the fevers and night sweats back along with the digestive issues from the meds and this disease and I end up being depleted of my nutrients etc. I just listen to my body and rest when I can. Every morning is a challenge though - full of anxiety of facing the day. Hang in there.

@ginak Hi Gina. It was me who is keeping track of what our member's occupations are/were. Nurses came in first, followed by teachers on those who are suseptible to Mac infection.

@amn17 Yes! Please do keep me posted.

@windwalker my bronchiectisis, pseudonomas, and MAC were diagnosed in Feb 18. If you're keeping a record of our professions take note that I was a manicurist in a hair salon for 24 years. Just natural nails, not artificial. But the chemicals and aerosols I was around were tremendous. Thanks for all you do in this group. Margie

windwalker……… I have had sputum testing done recently and it showed a heavy dose of pseudomonas. Mayo's prescribed Levaquin for 14 days. Did that. It didn't help and I emailed them for something more. Dr. Moua is now prescribing 2 weeks of 500 mg cefuroxime (twice daily). He went on to suggest starting tobramycin and I believe you have experience with that, right? One month on and one month off (twice daily). Said I needed to come up there for an initial test of it to be sure I can tolerate it. Also said I would probably need more nebulizing equipment. Did you find this med difficult to deal with? I'm just a little nervous. Will pick up the new cefuroxime tomorrow and will be calling Mayo's to set up an appointment to make the 10-hour trip up there. I would expect it to be a month or so before I can get it. Just wondering if you had the preliminary test to see if you could take it before starting. Any advice appreciated...….. thank you

@margiebanks Hi Margie. Thank you for that tidbit about your occupation. I noted it in my notebook. BTW, I am so glad that you posted where to buy the sodium chloride at a good price. I do not have secondary insurance and my Medicare plan does not cover it. Did you have damage to your property from that last hurricane?

@windwalker So glad that info can help you. I lost a few shingles and a couple of trees but no structural damage. All around me tho the destruction was incredible.

Hi, I'm 66 and still working with MAC. Yes, it is a challenge getting ready for work in the morning as I usually have a lot of mucus to clear and it is exhausting trying to cough it up. I was diagnosed about 20 years ago and have gone up and down in terms of severity of symptoms. I did a month of intravenous antibiotic therapy quite a few years ago, which helped somewhat temporarily. I have been reluctant to try the 3 oral antibiotic regimen due to the side effects. It is embarrasing to have to cough up mucus all day long, as I work in an office around others. Being around toxic fumes as in hair sprays and chemicals certainly makes my lungs worse, so I try to avoid that. It's nice to know that I'm not alone in this mucus battle!