1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

The vagaries of this ailment: How MAC changes without fanfare

Posted by thumperguy @thumperguy, Mar 30, 2020

I "graduated" to nebbing 7% saline concentration in early January this year. My throat initially protested a bit, but quickly began to behave itself. I was pleased with the increase in mucous production that followed and things rocked along unremarkably until a few weeks ago when the mucous production skyrocketed, accompanied by retching coughing, sneezing and nose running like a garden spigot. Exaggerating a bit to make the point I began to think if the session didn't end soon I'd be utterly dehydrated. The throat mucous is exclusively clear, relatively viscid, and copious. It takes 10-15 minutes following the half-hour Thumper session for the coughing and water works to resolve.

Aside from my regret that my wife has to endure what must sound like I'm on the brink of extruding some vital organ from my throat and despite the inconvenience of the episodes, I actually am pleased to be bringing up so much mucous.

My puzzlement though, and the thought behind my "Title" above is how the big change just suddenly occurred without fanfare or any signal of an impending seachange. Don

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rits | @rits | Apr 5, 2020
In reply to @thumperguy "No Sue I've not spoken to my doc for several months. Due to see him in..." + (show)
@thumperguy

No Sue I've not spoken to my doc for several months. Due to see him in early early May. I can't imagine him suggesting anything I'd be willing to do. Plus, as I said I'm not really unhappy about the sharp increase in mucous clearing despite the yuck factor.

And Rits about being "one strong guy." I suspect one skinny, gnarly guy might be more faithful, at least to visual reality. However, I do take comfort in the likelihood that my overall immunity is good secondary to a generally healthful diet and exercise lifestyle.

And Nan, you're probably onto something. My wife is a lifelong asthma sufferer and thus exquisitely aware of environmental conditions, e.g., pollen, cold temps, cat and dog contact and so on. Despite her influence I'm typically late to consider that stuff going on in my nasal, laryngeal workings might be simply that I got a snoot full an airborne enemy.

As is often the case I feel like I haven't "paid my dues" in suffering nearly so much as so many people on the board have. My MAC is apparently not "severe." I take an Eliquis for Afib and a B-12 tab but nothing for my lung disorders. The exception being an antibiotic when I have an acute febrile flareup. Don

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Lol. I meant that you were strong willed, carrying on with your 7% despite its troublesome effects. Weakling me gave up and am using 3%. I'm going to try 7% again tomorrow morning because I want a goodly amount to send to Texas.

REPLY
thumperguy | @thumperguy | Apr 5, 2020

Got it rits. I’ll cool my jets and bask in your feedback.

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Mentor
Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor | @windwalker | Apr 7, 2020
In reply to @nannette "Yes, @windwalker if it's not one thing, it's another. But I do know that after being..." + (show)
@nannette

Yes, @windwalker if it's not one thing, it's another. But I do know that after being tested for allergies and now taking allergy shots my chronic cough got much better. For that, I'm grateful. Nan

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So glad to hear that Nan. How are you holding up?

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1 reply
nannette | @nannette | Apr 8, 2020
In reply to @windwalker "So glad to hear that Nan. How are you holding up?" + (show)
@windwalker

So glad to hear that Nan. How are you holding up?

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@windwalker I'm holding up. Trying to be very careful. My store is closed but we're doing curbside pickups and shipping only. We go in only one at a time and I have on my N-95 mask and rubber gloves when I'm in there. I'm only in there about two days a week but I have to try and keep it going. It's been my business for 20 years and I'll go down with it if I have to. I know that sounds cavalier but I'm being careful and at the same time trying to keep some breath into my business. But I have wondered through all of this that wouldn't it be a wonderful thought that by nebulizing with a saline solution which keeps a SUPERBUG AT BAY that the salty environment in our lungs MIGHT keep a microbe away that can be killed with just soap and water and hand washing for 20 seconds? Has anyone else thought that? I just wish it could be true. And as for my husband, he's a contractor, has closed down his business temporarily but still goes out and works solo and checks on his subs and he's trying to be good about washing hands when he comes home and all that but I worry daily that he's going to bring it home. This is a trying time. Can't wait until we're on the other side. Stay safe and healthy. Thinking about all of us on this site. Nan

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1 reply
ginak | @ginak | Apr 8, 2020

@nannette I have also been wondering the same thing about the nebulizing with the saline. I only use 3% but have been considering emailing my Dr to up my prescription to 7%. I was wondering if anyone knows if there is anyone that is currently nebulizing the saline that has become infected with this new virus?? I know the NTM are bacteria and COVID19 is a virus, but they seem to have some things in common; lipid outer coating and attacks the lungs. Wouldn't it be wonderful it we were all a little safe from it??

REPLY
2 replies
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Apr 8, 2020
In reply to @ginak "@nannette I have also been wondering the same thing about the nebulizing with the saline. I..." + (show)
@ginak

@nannette I have also been wondering the same thing about the nebulizing with the saline. I only use 3% but have been considering emailing my Dr to up my prescription to 7%. I was wondering if anyone knows if there is anyone that is currently nebulizing the saline that has become infected with this new virus?? I know the NTM are bacteria and COVID19 is a virus, but they seem to have some things in common; lipid outer coating and attacks the lungs. Wouldn't it be wonderful it we were all a little safe from it??

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@ginak @nanette I wondered the same about 7% saline nebs protecting us - until my daughter who uses them got infected with Covid-19. Her situation was scarier than ours - instead of isolating, she was in the epicenter in her city - ER nurse. But based on that experience, I am not willing to do anything but hope it protects us a little. Taking all other precautions very seriously!
Sue

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3 replies
Jane S. Brown | @macjane | Apr 8, 2020
In reply to @sueinmn "@ginak @nanette I wondered the same about 7% saline nebs protecting us - until my daughter..." + (show)
@sueinmn

@ginak @nanette I wondered the same about 7% saline nebs protecting us - until my daughter who uses them got infected with Covid-19. Her situation was scarier than ours - instead of isolating, she was in the epicenter in her city - ER nurse. But based on that experience, I am not willing to do anything but hope it protects us a little. Taking all other precautions very seriously!
Sue

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Hope your daughter gets well quickly. Jane Brown

REPLY
Mentor
Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor | @windwalker | Apr 8, 2020
In reply to @nannette "@windwalker I'm holding up. Trying to be very careful. My store is closed but we're doing..." + (show)
@nannette

@windwalker I'm holding up. Trying to be very careful. My store is closed but we're doing curbside pickups and shipping only. We go in only one at a time and I have on my N-95 mask and rubber gloves when I'm in there. I'm only in there about two days a week but I have to try and keep it going. It's been my business for 20 years and I'll go down with it if I have to. I know that sounds cavalier but I'm being careful and at the same time trying to keep some breath into my business. But I have wondered through all of this that wouldn't it be a wonderful thought that by nebulizing with a saline solution which keeps a SUPERBUG AT BAY that the salty environment in our lungs MIGHT keep a microbe away that can be killed with just soap and water and hand washing for 20 seconds? Has anyone else thought that? I just wish it could be true. And as for my husband, he's a contractor, has closed down his business temporarily but still goes out and works solo and checks on his subs and he's trying to be good about washing hands when he comes home and all that but I worry daily that he's going to bring it home. This is a trying time. Can't wait until we're on the other side. Stay safe and healthy. Thinking about all of us on this site. Nan

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@nannette I am in the same boat with a contractor hubby who still works some and still goes to Lowes and Home Depot. We are living separately now because of that. Just trying to keep safe. I pray your business can survive this, I was thinking about that just the other day.

REPLY
ginak | @ginak | Apr 8, 2020
In reply to @sueinmn "@ginak @nanette I wondered the same about 7% saline nebs protecting us - until my daughter..." + (show)
@sueinmn

@ginak @nanette I wondered the same about 7% saline nebs protecting us - until my daughter who uses them got infected with Covid-19. Her situation was scarier than ours - instead of isolating, she was in the epicenter in her city - ER nurse. But based on that experience, I am not willing to do anything but hope it protects us a little. Taking all other precautions very seriously!
Sue

Jump to this post

I guess that answers that wondering. Hope she recovers quickly and completely.

REPLY
nannette | @nannette | Apr 8, 2020
In reply to @ginak "@nannette I have also been wondering the same thing about the nebulizing with the saline. I..." + (show)
@ginak

@nannette I have also been wondering the same thing about the nebulizing with the saline. I only use 3% but have been considering emailing my Dr to up my prescription to 7%. I was wondering if anyone knows if there is anyone that is currently nebulizing the saline that has become infected with this new virus?? I know the NTM are bacteria and COVID19 is a virus, but they seem to have some things in common; lipid outer coating and attacks the lungs. Wouldn't it be wonderful it we were all a little safe from it??

Jump to this post

@ginak Yes! Wouldn't that be a great thing to find out about. And I agree one is a virus and one is a bacteria but they are both microbes, correct? Or no? It just seems with that lipid outer coating that the salt environment might effect it. We'll have to find scientist friends. Even if we were just the tiniest bit safe, you're right. Nan

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