@cila, I've been taking prescription Vitamin D for about 4-5 years, as well as the 5,000 IUs the other 6 days/week. They are very small capsules & quite easy to swallow. I live in a cold winter climate - not much sun exposure in winter. My lifestyle was that I worked 50-60 hrs/week at a computer. So I was not getting much sun, a great source of Vitamin D. However, I've since learned the sun is not necessarily a predictor of Vitamin D level - and low Vitamin D is thought to be related to a variety of ailments/diseases.

I, too, didn't take many pills at all before being diagnosed -- a multiple vitamin and daily calcium and that's it.
I think my Vitamin D level was

HI Paula and all, do you have any other lung diseases or bronchetasis? I note that the inhalers did not help you Paula(I have just been put on one), I too get tight chested with cold temperatures and frosty, dewy, mornings,and exertion, do you still get this?My specialist says my MAC is minimal and should not cause this. Have you ever been diagnosed with asthma or allergies?

I have been diagnosed with seasonal allergies. I cant stand too much heat, too much cold, i have been taking zytec and using inhalers.

Hi sophie yes I am the same, have been on zyrtec and alanase for a few years and just starting asthma in halers, do you find the inhalers are working?

Yes the inhaler tends to help.

Hello @heathert,

Do I have other lung diseases? Yes, bronchetasis.
I've had NTM/MAC for 8-10 years, and only had a 4 month period this winter where I periodically had a tight chest, and was unusually fatigued - when I exercised. Had a stress test and am fine. Very cold temperatures have caused me to have an outrageous cough, although I rarely cough anymore. I live in a cold winter climate so I keep my mouth covered when walking. But worse for me is humidity, high dew points, & moisture. My lungs tend to close up; I find myself trying to get air in my lungs and conscious of my breathing pattern being out of whack.

My NTM/MAC is not minimal. But it seems to be under control, not growing a lot (I hope - I see my pulmonologist soon). For the first 2-3 years, I was misdiagnosed with pneumonia, then allergies (never had allergies!) then pneumonia again. Was really NTM/MAC progressing in my lungs.

Most days, I forget I have NTM/MAC ... honest! I take my meds, go to exercise, and get on with the rest of my day. Very few people know I have a chronic disease. It has slowed me down, for sure. I've changed my lifestyle and spend more time resting and sleeping. And don't accept as many invitations as before. I am high energy, go go, with lots of different interests and things I am (was?) involved in. Unlike before, now I say 'No' to requests. Life is good . . . but I was quite ill when diagnosed with NTM/MAC. People looked at me and knew something was wrong.

Paula

Thanks Paula very helpfull!

It is winter here and we are getting cold frosty mornings with wet inside windows, and warm days and I am finding that I am getting the tight chest feeling also, affecting my exercise and feeling tired, will try the scarf and may get in a home ventilation unit to prevent the window condensation.

I have had allergies all my life and feel this could be a bit of asthma also, changes in temp of more than 10deg seem to affect me.