Mac + lung cavity

I'm curious. Why? Why vegan??

I have a doctor who specializes in preventive medicine. One of the three I have - GP, lung specialist and preventive. I stopped horrendous coughing I had for over a year, three days after she got me to take 400 mls of celery juice that was a miracle for me. She supported my 18 months of antibiotics with a few supplements and probiotics on alternate days. After 12 months of antibiotics, she asked me to go plant based basically, and I could also have 2 eggs per week and wild caught salmon 3 times per week - 70 gram portions. At 12 months the cavity was reduced by a quarter. 6 months later the cavity has gone. Still have to see final results 2 years down the track in November. I cannot believe how well I have felt considering I have been taking 11 antibiotics - 3 days per week for 18 months now. Eyes ok, health good, a shock to find the cavity, and surprising to have it gone. I'm also on a spiritual path - but who knows which or may all have contributed to my good health at 77 years. I believe my preventive health doctor has assisted my system to cope with all the antibiotics. My lung doctor says 'it was the antibiotics'. Who knows?

Sue I see many people talking about saline nebs what does this help with?

I’m curious as to why the need to reduce protein in the diet.

Maybe best to look up plant based diets to see how they may work. I followed my doctor's advice, and so far doing well, considering the issue.

@joanng Joann - saline helps thin the secretions in the lungs, making it easier to "bring up the gunk." People with bronchiectasis have damaged bronchioles, so they do not function normally, and often need help. The bacteria that cause us so many issues find the gathering fluids in the lungs to be a great harbor to grow in.

References to 7% saline are because some studies have shown that MAC cannot grow in that environment, and we are trying to keep it at bay. The 7% strength requires a prescription, .9% is the common one. When I was having trouble bringing up sputum for a culture, my doc had me neb 10% before each effort - yuk! I felt a-salted for days - every time I coughed.

When nebbing, some people recommend using the entire 4ml vial of 7% - my doc says ones I have coughed enough to quit producing sputum, I can stop the neb - usually only takes about 2ml for me, but I also use Mucinex 2x/day to keep the mucus thin. Have done that for 30+ years because it also keeps my ears clear - I used to have 7-10 ear infections per year.

If you have more questions, feel free to ask.
Sue

@ckscoville @bevmac I too am curious about this as it seems to contradict the National Jewish Health recommendation for extra protein while on antibiotics. I was losing weight at an alarming rate until I began following their diet recommendations, see

Joann, nebulizing 7% saline is like washing your hands, only you are washing your lungs. It is a good lung clearance tool and gives the lungs a salty environment that bacteria doesn't like. Have you talked to your dr about prescribing it for you?

From what I have read, too much animal protein is the problem. Americans tend to overdo the meat intake, for ex: three eggs and bacon in the morning, two hamburgers at lunch, and then a huge steak at dinner. Our bodies were designed to only handle a certain amount of meat at a time because of the way the amino acids are broken down. Too much animal protein at once becomes toxins, which lead to disease. My Mayo nutricianist told me to eat 70 grams of animal protein (gaged by my weight) a day to maintain optimal health. They recommend that protein to be from fish, poultry and eggs. We need the amino acids that are in animal protein to build muscle, and the oils or fat in the meat help to maintain the myalin sheath around our nerves. I do have family members who have been vegetarian for yrs and get their protein from beans, etc. Are they healthy? Reasonbly so, although both have had two knee replacements (that may just be hereditary).

@migizii your information and expertise in this area is always so helpful and insoghful❤️