MAC and getting the COVID vaccine

Posted by cmi @cmi, Jan 6, 2021

This is a wonderful team...like a real cooperativa family...we are a band of patients that strategize together...amazing. All good dialogue for “rits”...I also believe the CAT scan would be a good step...it arms the doctor with evidence.

I have another question for the group...what are the feelings on “us” being candidates for the Covid vaccine? Has anyone yet vaccinated? I see my ID doc this afternoon...it is one of my concerns. Any feedback appreciated.
Regina

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the MAC & Bronchiectasis Support Group.

@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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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.

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@garry

Just when I said that i saw it posted. My mother 94 just received her first covid shot. I wonder my self about getting the shot with our poor ammune response. Thanks Nan

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Hi Garry, I am 76 and have Bronchiectasis and MAC. I got both shots and feel fine and glad that I got them. Hope it works out for you.

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@thumperguy

Granny, I think you deserve some credit for harboring excellent intentions. After all, lots of people seem not to even give a rat’s butt about their fitness.
I hatched an aphorism several years ago with which I suspect you’ll resonate: CONSISTENCY TRUMPS INTENSITY.
At age 81 my “routine” has decelerated to “pumping” light dumbbells with my wife 3 x weekly along with a short daily walk which I do faithfully, pressing thermal underwear into service on cold days.
At walk’s end I reward myself and my wife too, though she did nothing to deserve it beyond being wonderful. Coffee for me, tea for her along with a bran muffin I bake for us both.
Notice the “reward” is enjoyed following the fitness activity. B.F. Skinner would be so proud of me. Although I doubt ole Skinner would agree that being generically wonderful
is worthy of reinforcement. He seemed to be an anhedonic sorta guy.
So here’s the formula. Choose something you really enjoy and make it contingent on exercising. Treat yourself like a lab rat; gotta run the maze before you reach the M&M dispenser. Try it and tell us all about it. Don

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Thanks for the inspiration, thumperguy...keep on moving! I’m starting Monday.

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@anonymous217382

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.

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What a journey you’ve been on. No, the test I mentioned is not to test if patient is Ill. It specifically designed to test how strong antibody response patient has to vaccine.

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@anonymous217382

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.

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Hi Granny that is quiet the journey u are on. I sure do not have much to complain about after reading yours. I take arithamycin 250 morning and night. I have been trying to cut back but every time I do it flairs up again. Use to be on 250 a day for 10 days now it doesn't help. I think the bug is getting use to it. I will see if I can get clindamycin up here and change things up. I have a nebulizer that i use morning and night with 7% salt. I does help. I would really like to get off the antibotics .Maybe try when covid passes. Looks like we are last to get the covid vac. our gov screwed that up. Take care everyone be safe. gm

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Does anyone have concerns about getting vaccines which have efficacy rates in the 60% range, as opposed to the vaccines which have much higher efficacy rates? This has become an issue in the US and Europe and I’m certain will become a concern in Canada as these vaccines are available.
Any comments?

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@kathyhg My understanding is that the Johnson and Johnson vaccine becomes quite a bit higher over time. ( as days go by). I don’t see a concern really as any vaccine is better than no vaccine, and all three appear to prevent hospitalization and death. I am guessing that most people would prefer one and done. My husband had two of the Pfizer, and I am scheduled for my second Moderna. I was thinking about the polio vaccine from the 50’s. Was it like three that children had to get? @irene5

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@kathyhg

Does anyone have concerns about getting vaccines which have efficacy rates in the 60% range, as opposed to the vaccines which have much higher efficacy rates? This has become an issue in the US and Europe and I’m certain will become a concern in Canada as these vaccines are available.
Any comments?

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The efficacy rates for vaccines are for preventing people from getting infected at all and not whether a vaccine can prevent people from getting too sick to need hospitalization or from dying of the virus. From what I have read, J&J vaccine is 85% effective for preventing the latter, which is rather high rate of effectiveness. As long as the hospitalization and death rates for the population as a whole are kept low enough, we should be safe. As of today, I don't think anyone can guarantee near 100% efficacy for majority of the vaccines. The goal is to reach herd immunity and to keep people from getting seriously ill.

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Hi All,

Newbie here. 🙂

I am wondering if there is something I can do to counteract nausea and vomiting from the Moderna 1st and 2nd shots? I just got my first shot today. Mostly just my arm hurts and I feel a little dizzy but it's not horrible. But nausea and vomiting (which everyone gets from time to time) completely freak me out.

Just trying to be prepared, since I am prone to getting side effects like these. Staying calm. LOL!

Lynn

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@lmcoff

Hi All,

Newbie here. 🙂

I am wondering if there is something I can do to counteract nausea and vomiting from the Moderna 1st and 2nd shots? I just got my first shot today. Mostly just my arm hurts and I feel a little dizzy but it's not horrible. But nausea and vomiting (which everyone gets from time to time) completely freak me out.

Just trying to be prepared, since I am prone to getting side effects like these. Staying calm. LOL!

Lynn

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@lmcoff My doctor recommended rest, staying hydrated, and taking Tylenol or Advil. Remember - the side effects which may be brutal for some are better than the actual disease! @ irene5

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