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MAC and getting the COVID vaccine

MAC & Bronchiectasis | Last Active: Sep 29, 2021 | Replies (163)

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@goddard

I also had a $25 Kroger test before I had the Labcorps test--after the first shot. It is different. It is not quantitative-- it does not give a number of antibodies, so you cannot tell how strong your response is. Also, the Kroger test I had does not differentiate between antibodies to the spike protein, and the nucleocapsid. If your antibodies are to the latter, it means you've had the virus, but the $25 test won't tell you whether you've had the virus or the vax. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines just create antibodies tot he spike protein. Since the Labcorps tests only the response to the spike protein (get the one with "S" on the end of the name)-- it does not test whether you've had the disease , just whether you've had a reaction to the vax. At least that's how I understand it-- it was vdeveloped by Roche-- google Roche antibody test Dec 2020 and you can read about it

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Replies to "I also had a $25 Kroger test before I had the Labcorps test--after the first shot...."

Granny, I read up on what you wrote and unless I am reading it wrong, the test you mention is a test to rapidly detect the virus in people acutely ill. A nurse told me that there is only a three-day window to test positive for Covid while a person is ill. That surely can not be true...Anyway, when I took the Kroger test, I had NOT yet received the vaccination. The test turned bright red very rapidly, which surprised the Pharmacist, although she admitted it meant "nothing," in terms of the antibody number/strength.
Two weeks before the end of my radiation sessions--last March--my husband (he accompanied me to hospital everyday) and I developed severe lung infections. Mine turned into a horrendous cough that lasted for approximately four months. I ended up breaking three ribs from the violent coughing. After the coughing ended, the mucus then changed in consistency, to a hardened, impossible to cough up substance. Meanwhile, I was prescribed one antibiotic after another (have been on them for almost one year now) which seems to loosen up the mucus somewhat. In August, I was hospitalized with Klebsiella Pneumonia and of course they tested me for Covis which was negative. It was negative because I believe the disease had already been in my system for months. The Oncologist told me there was no way the lung infection was Covid, because in March "it is too early for Covid." Whatever. A few weeks ago I went to STATCARE with once again shortness of breath. This doctor prescribed a new antibiotic "Clindamycin, and put me on Prednisone 20 mg. I have been prescribed Prednisone about four times over the last year, but this dose is higher than any others. For the first time in one year I have slept through the night and have started eating again, after being on a feeding tube the last several months. They put the feeding tube in hoping it would cure my lung problem, believing aspiration was the cause. It did not help the mucus at all. The Prednisone has greatly helped me this time. It is scary that there are only five days worth left, because I fear when they run out everything will go back the way it was again. The doctors will not test me for MAC, because they claim my lungs are clear, although the CT scan says the lungs are "Hyperlucent." Isn't that sometimes an indication of MAC? The bottom line is this: If Prednisone helps the symptoms of MAC, then maybe I still do have MAC. On the other hand, if Prednisone does not have a positive effect on MAC, then I will almost be sure I do NOT have MAC since the medicine is helping greatly. Does that make sense? This is a crazy journey. I sincerely hope everyone feels better, and that a cure is near for all people. The Prednisone dosage is lowering slowly. Unfortunately, it does feel like the mucus is beginning to thicken once again. Thank-you, for listening.