@sounder27 @anonymous217382 @dbug7857 - I don't have AFIB, so it wasn't a concern in treating my MAC. That said, I wonder if any of you have access to/have considered being treated by a facility with a multi-disciplinary approach, like Mayo, or a specialty in treating MAC like National Jewish Health? I am fortunate that my primary, Pulmonologist & ID docs are all in a clinical practice where they communicate with each other, and are not shy about consulting with experts when they are stumped. It made a huge difference in the treatment I received.
Sue

@sounder27 I also have bronchiectasis, MAC/MAI and aFib. I had the ablation surgery in Oct 2016, I had a lung surgery Dec 2016 (to remove a nodule), and just had gall bladder surgery this past Aug. I have received anesthesia and been intubated during the first two surgeries. I’m not sure about the last one, but I think that is standard procedure during any surgery. I do not take any antibiotics for the MAC. I use an Atrovent pump inhaler once a day, nebulize 7% saline once per day and lung clearance twice a day.
The ablation did stop the palpitations. I don’t take any blood thinners. When I was first Dx with the AFib, I was on Elloquis. After one month, I started “gurgling” up blood. I wasn’t coughing, it would just bubble up. Dr took me off blood thinner and that’s when I had the ablation. The hemoptysis continued until the lung surgery. Then it dwindled off. I’ve only had it happen a couple of times again since then but it doesn’t last very long and usually happens during allergy season. Obviously, we are all different, and our treatments are different, but I hope this gives you some comfort if you do decide to have the ablation.
Gina

Yes Sounder, lying flat isn’t noticeably associated with coughing episodes, which isn’t to say they don’t occur. Not spontaneously every day, but a few times weekly and fairly reliably during and following my evening neb/thumper session. Don