MAC Question

Shooie, originally, it was the opinion to have a 5 yr interval between ct scans because they are very powerful and can disrupt and damage cells. From what I have heard from others is that ct radiation levels have been lowered and now there is a 2 yr interval. I have not looked it up yet to see if that is true, but I will. Your dr may be thinking that a regular sputem test is unessessary because mac is a slow grower. I think it is important to get a sputem test every yr or sooner if you have a bad exacerbation. Reason being; you may have pseudomonas growing in your lungs or some other bad organism. We are at risk to other 'bugs' infecting us due to having bronchiectasis. I would stay on top of your lung health. I chose not to treat mine back in 2005 and have permanently lost a lot of lung function I think as a result of my decision.

@migizii I have a question and wonder if someone is able to offer some insight. I see my pulmonologist yearly and my bronchiectasis has been stable (no exacerbations). However, he has not ordered a sputum test for the past two years and my CT scan states atypical microbacterial infection noted (as in previous scan). Obviously, I wasn’t aware enough to know what was going on - so I didn’t ask about it at my appointment. I continue to feel okay, but your comment about losing lung function has me concerned. Anyone think I need to pursue this?

@migizii The mere fact that you have an atypical mycobacterium infection might have prompted your pulmonologist to recommend you see an infectious disease doctor. irene5

@migizii...He didn’t recommend any further intervention...continue nebulizing with albuterol and 7%saline with smart vest twice a day and see him next year...He is from Mayo Pulmonology.

Shooie, originally, it was the opinion to have a 5 yr interval between ct scans because they are very powerful and can disrupt and damage cells. From what I have heard from others is that ct radiation levels have been lowered and now there is a 2 yr interval. I have not looked it up yet to see if that is true, but I will. Your dr may be thinking that a regular sputem test is unessessary because mac is a slow grower. I think it is important to get a sputem test every yr or sooner if you have a bad exacerbation. Reason being; you may have pseudomonas growing in your lungs or some other bad organism. We are at risk to other 'bugs' infecting us due to having bronchiectasis. I would stay on top of your lung health. I chose not to treat mine back in 2005 and have permanently lost a lot of lung function I think as a result of my decision.

Hello Don. I first discovered 7% saline as a treatment back in 2010 when I was researching lung diseases. The French had been using it successfully as a treatment. I had asked my doctors along the way about it, and they all said "Never heard of it". Finally, when I asked my Mayo doctor about it, he said yes, absolutely lets try that. That was in 2013. By 2014, I tested negative for mac and have ever since. I do not know if it was the saline that pushed that negative result or the antibiotics, or both. I went off of all antibiotics last Spring and now only do the albuterol and saline. My last sputem test from June came back negative. I think that my isolating from covid has also been protecting me from picking up extra germs. I will continue to nebulize the saline indefinitely as I think it is good for my lungs.

@migizii The mere fact that you have an atypical mycobacterium infection might have prompted your pulmonologist to recommend you see an infectious disease doctor. irene5

@migizii I have a question and wonder if someone is able to offer some insight. I see my pulmonologist yearly and my bronchiectasis has been stable (no exacerbations). However, he has not ordered a sputum test for the past two years and my CT scan states atypical microbacterial infection noted (as in previous scan). Obviously, I wasn’t aware enough to know what was going on - so I didn’t ask about it at my appointment. I continue to feel okay, but your comment about losing lung function has me concerned. Anyone think I need to pursue this?