@mrf5629 Hello Beth,
First, I am glad to hear you came through Covid-19 without a lot of symptoms.

Second, based on your descriptions of "trending worse" and needing a Z-pak frequently, it is definitely time for a sputum culture to see what you have. MAC is everywhere - air, soil, water... , is very slow-growing, by the time you are symptomatic it quite probably has been making a home in your lungs for many months if not years. What makes MAC challenging for those of us with bronchiectasis is that our lungs do not clear bugs out like normal lungs would. Please don't blame your use of the neb & Aerobika - it infections probably already there. Just be sure to clean them thoroughly going forward.

Third, if I was already a Mayo patient, I would definitely seek care in the Bronchiectasis Clinic - why not see the best?

Finally, when they do the culture, it can take 2 weeks (pseudomonas) to 2 months (MAC & sensitivity tests) to get definitive results. Patience is needed.

Check back with us if you have more questions
Sue