1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

(MAC/MAI) Mycobacterium Avium Complex Pulmonary Disease: Join us

Posted by Katherine, Alumni Mentor @katemn, Nov 21, 2011

I am new to Mayo online .. I was hoping to find others with .. MYCOBACTERIUM AVIUM COMPLEX PULMONARY DISEASE (MAC/MAI) and/or BRONCHIECTASIS. I found only 1 thread on mycobacterium accidently under the catagory "Lungs". I'm hoping by starting a subject matter directly related to MYCOBACTERIUM AVIUM COMPLEX PULMONARY DISEASE (MAC/MAI) I may find others out there!

I was diagnosed by a sputum culture August 2007 (but the culture result was accidentally misfiled until 2008!) with MYCOBACTERIUM AVIUM COMPLEX PULMONARY DISEASE (MAC/MAI) and BRONCHIECTASIS. I am now on 5 antibiotics. Working with Dr. Timothy Aksamit at Rochester Mayo Clinic .. he is a saint to have put up with me this long! I was terrified of the treatment . started the first antibiotic September 3, 2011 ... am now on all 5 antibiotics for 18 mos to 2 years. Am delighted at the very bearable side effects!

I wrote on the 1 thread I found: If you google NON-TUBERCULOUS MYCOBACTERIUM AVIUM COMPLEX PULMONARY DISEASE (MAC/MAI) you will learn a LOT about the disease. But PLEASE do NOT get scared about all the things you read .. that is what I did and nearly refused to do the treatment until after a 2nd Micomacterium was discovered! Educate yourself for "due diligence" .. but take it all with a grain of salt .. you are NOT necessarily going to have all the terrible side effects of the antibiotics! Good luck to you!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
January 2017 Update

One of our great Connect Members .. @Paula_MAC2007  .. had a wonderfully helpful idea that I wanted to share! Her idea .. as you read through the pages to gather information on our shared disease of MAC you can develop a personal "file cabinet" for future reference without the necessity of reading all the pages again!

If you have the "MS Word" program on your computer:
- Document Title Example:  Mayo Clinic Connect MAI/MAC Information
- Then develop different categories that make sense to you such as:  Heath Aids .. Videos .. Healthy Living .. Positive Thinking .. Baseline Testing and Regular Testing .. Antibiotics ..
Tips for
- As you read the pages .. copy/paste/save things of interest into that MS Word document under your preferred categories for future reference.

Then as you want to refer back to something in the future .. YEAH!  You have now created your own personal "file cabinet" on MAC/MAI!  Go to it!

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

Lisa Y | @tutti | Sep 20, 2016
In reply to @katemn "@apportee, @cila .. Cila, @cathyt .. Cathy, @coylemel333 .. Melody, @digmeme .. Linda, @flib .. Flib,..." + (show)
@katemn

@apportee, @cila .. Cila, @cathyt .. Cathy, @coylemel333 .. Melody, @digmeme .. Linda, @flib .. Flib, @fransky, @heathert .. Heather, @hopeful33250 .. TeresaH, @janovr .. Jan, @justjanet .. Janet, @jillnc, @katiemknor .. Winnie, @kaystrand .. kay S., @kwilbur .. Kathryn, @laneyk .. Elaine, @liliane .. Liliane, @melissa23 .. Melissa, @mimi68 .. Mimi, @Paula_MAC2007 .. Paula, @rosemarya .. Rosemary, @sophie1019 .. Sophie, @suzieapples, @tdrell .. terri, @tutti .. Lisa

Hello All! I am back from my holiday .. refreshed and raring to go .. wanting to check in with each and every one of you to see just what is going on in your lives .. how you are doing .. how you are progressing .. how things are going.

Please check in so I don’t worry about you .. just a short note to let me know your current status.

I want to thank each of you that jumped in to watch for new people on our Forum while I was gone .. so kind of you. It is so important that we are there for each other on this our shared journey .. you do it well .. again .. thank you!

I am well .. did just great on my trip other than having to explain over and over again that my coughing was NOT contagious. Frankly on my next visit with Dr. Aksamit I am going to request a simple statement that my 3 lung diseases are NOT contagious whether I am coughing or NOT coughing! For whatever reason I tend to cough a LOT in enclosed spaces. Be it in a restaurant .. taxi .. bus .. theatre .. airplane .. whatever. I found a little device: Air Supply Mini-Mate Personal Ionic Air Purifier
https://smile.amazon.com/Supply-Mini-Mate-Personal-Ionic-Purifier--Black/dp/B000B6CMZ4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474246233&sr=8-1&keywords=mini+mate
held up to my nose helps greatly .. for whatever reason! It is supposed to clean the air. I don’t really care how/why it helps me not cough .. I just know it does .. so I pull it out in enclosed spaces and it helps every time! So that is me .. let me know about you! Sending hugs to all! Katherine

Jump to this post

Cila, I'm saddened to hear you are having so many problems. If I was you I wouldn't wait 4 wks to go back to the Dr, if you don't start feeling better in 1 week go back. Maybe you should see a pulmonary dr or infectious disease dr. Hope you get to feeling better soon. Praying for you.
Lisa @tutti

REPLY
cowboy1997 | @cowboy1997 | Sep 20, 2016
In reply to @katemn "@apportee, @cila .. Cila, @cathyt .. Cathy, @coylemel333 .. Melody, @digmeme .. Linda, @flib .. Flib,..." + (show)
@katemn

@apportee, @cila .. Cila, @cathyt .. Cathy, @coylemel333 .. Melody, @digmeme .. Linda, @flib .. Flib, @fransky, @heathert .. Heather, @hopeful33250 .. TeresaH, @janovr .. Jan, @justjanet .. Janet, @jillnc, @katiemknor .. Winnie, @kaystrand .. kay S., @kwilbur .. Kathryn, @laneyk .. Elaine, @liliane .. Liliane, @melissa23 .. Melissa, @mimi68 .. Mimi, @Paula_MAC2007 .. Paula, @rosemarya .. Rosemary, @sophie1019 .. Sophie, @suzieapples, @tdrell .. terri, @tutti .. Lisa

Hello All! I am back from my holiday .. refreshed and raring to go .. wanting to check in with each and every one of you to see just what is going on in your lives .. how you are doing .. how you are progressing .. how things are going.

Please check in so I don’t worry about you .. just a short note to let me know your current status.

I want to thank each of you that jumped in to watch for new people on our Forum while I was gone .. so kind of you. It is so important that we are there for each other on this our shared journey .. you do it well .. again .. thank you!

I am well .. did just great on my trip other than having to explain over and over again that my coughing was NOT contagious. Frankly on my next visit with Dr. Aksamit I am going to request a simple statement that my 3 lung diseases are NOT contagious whether I am coughing or NOT coughing! For whatever reason I tend to cough a LOT in enclosed spaces. Be it in a restaurant .. taxi .. bus .. theatre .. airplane .. whatever. I found a little device: Air Supply Mini-Mate Personal Ionic Air Purifier
https://smile.amazon.com/Supply-Mini-Mate-Personal-Ionic-Purifier--Black/dp/B000B6CMZ4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474246233&sr=8-1&keywords=mini+mate
held up to my nose helps greatly .. for whatever reason! It is supposed to clean the air. I don’t really care how/why it helps me not cough .. I just know it does .. so I pull it out in enclosed spaces and it helps every time! So that is me .. let me know about you! Sending hugs to all! Katherine

Jump to this post

Does anyone know how I can change my email address to go to another file so I can read my Mayo connects at a later date?<br><br>

REPLY
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Sep 21, 2016
In reply to @katemn "@apportee, @cila .. Cila, @cathyt .. Cathy, @coylemel333 .. Melody, @digmeme .. Linda, @flib .. Flib,..." + (show)
@katemn

@apportee, @cila .. Cila, @cathyt .. Cathy, @coylemel333 .. Melody, @digmeme .. Linda, @flib .. Flib, @fransky, @heathert .. Heather, @hopeful33250 .. TeresaH, @janovr .. Jan, @justjanet .. Janet, @jillnc, @katiemknor .. Winnie, @kaystrand .. kay S., @kwilbur .. Kathryn, @laneyk .. Elaine, @liliane .. Liliane, @melissa23 .. Melissa, @mimi68 .. Mimi, @Paula_MAC2007 .. Paula, @rosemarya .. Rosemary, @sophie1019 .. Sophie, @suzieapples, @tdrell .. terri, @tutti .. Lisa

Hello All! I am back from my holiday .. refreshed and raring to go .. wanting to check in with each and every one of you to see just what is going on in your lives .. how you are doing .. how you are progressing .. how things are going.

Please check in so I don’t worry about you .. just a short note to let me know your current status.

I want to thank each of you that jumped in to watch for new people on our Forum while I was gone .. so kind of you. It is so important that we are there for each other on this our shared journey .. you do it well .. again .. thank you!

I am well .. did just great on my trip other than having to explain over and over again that my coughing was NOT contagious. Frankly on my next visit with Dr. Aksamit I am going to request a simple statement that my 3 lung diseases are NOT contagious whether I am coughing or NOT coughing! For whatever reason I tend to cough a LOT in enclosed spaces. Be it in a restaurant .. taxi .. bus .. theatre .. airplane .. whatever. I found a little device: Air Supply Mini-Mate Personal Ionic Air Purifier
https://smile.amazon.com/Supply-Mini-Mate-Personal-Ionic-Purifier--Black/dp/B000B6CMZ4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474246233&sr=8-1&keywords=mini+mate
held up to my nose helps greatly .. for whatever reason! It is supposed to clean the air. I don’t really care how/why it helps me not cough .. I just know it does .. so I pull it out in enclosed spaces and it helps every time! So that is me .. let me know about you! Sending hugs to all! Katherine

Jump to this post

I can help you @cowboy1997.

1. Go to your Account Settings on Connect https://connect.mayoclinic.org/account
2. Scroll down to the section called "Login Information"
3. Change your email address.
4. Scroll to the bottom of the page, click SAVE PROFILE.

The last step is very important. You have to save profile to save the change of address.
Here's more info about How to Set your Notification Preferences http://mayocl.in/2coxXJN

REPLY
Kay Strand | @kaystrand | Sep 21, 2016
In reply to @katemn "@apportee, @cila .. Cila, @cathyt .. Cathy, @coylemel333 .. Melody, @digmeme .. Linda, @flib .. Flib,..." + (show)
@katemn

@apportee, @cila .. Cila, @cathyt .. Cathy, @coylemel333 .. Melody, @digmeme .. Linda, @flib .. Flib, @fransky, @heathert .. Heather, @hopeful33250 .. TeresaH, @janovr .. Jan, @justjanet .. Janet, @jillnc, @katiemknor .. Winnie, @kaystrand .. kay S., @kwilbur .. Kathryn, @laneyk .. Elaine, @liliane .. Liliane, @melissa23 .. Melissa, @mimi68 .. Mimi, @Paula_MAC2007 .. Paula, @rosemarya .. Rosemary, @sophie1019 .. Sophie, @suzieapples, @tdrell .. terri, @tutti .. Lisa

Hello All! I am back from my holiday .. refreshed and raring to go .. wanting to check in with each and every one of you to see just what is going on in your lives .. how you are doing .. how you are progressing .. how things are going.

Please check in so I don’t worry about you .. just a short note to let me know your current status.

I want to thank each of you that jumped in to watch for new people on our Forum while I was gone .. so kind of you. It is so important that we are there for each other on this our shared journey .. you do it well .. again .. thank you!

I am well .. did just great on my trip other than having to explain over and over again that my coughing was NOT contagious. Frankly on my next visit with Dr. Aksamit I am going to request a simple statement that my 3 lung diseases are NOT contagious whether I am coughing or NOT coughing! For whatever reason I tend to cough a LOT in enclosed spaces. Be it in a restaurant .. taxi .. bus .. theatre .. airplane .. whatever. I found a little device: Air Supply Mini-Mate Personal Ionic Air Purifier
https://smile.amazon.com/Supply-Mini-Mate-Personal-Ionic-Purifier--Black/dp/B000B6CMZ4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474246233&sr=8-1&keywords=mini+mate
held up to my nose helps greatly .. for whatever reason! It is supposed to clean the air. I don’t really care how/why it helps me not cough .. I just know it does .. so I pull it out in enclosed spaces and it helps every time! So that is me .. let me know about you! Sending hugs to all! Katherine

Jump to this post

Colleen
Is everything working for the iPad now?
Kay

REPLY
cila | @cila | Sep 21, 2016
In reply to @katemn "@apportee, @cila .. Cila, @cathyt .. Cathy, @coylemel333 .. Melody, @digmeme .. Linda, @flib .. Flib,..." + (show)
@katemn

@apportee, @cila .. Cila, @cathyt .. Cathy, @coylemel333 .. Melody, @digmeme .. Linda, @flib .. Flib, @fransky, @heathert .. Heather, @hopeful33250 .. TeresaH, @janovr .. Jan, @justjanet .. Janet, @jillnc, @katiemknor .. Winnie, @kaystrand .. kay S., @kwilbur .. Kathryn, @laneyk .. Elaine, @liliane .. Liliane, @melissa23 .. Melissa, @mimi68 .. Mimi, @Paula_MAC2007 .. Paula, @rosemarya .. Rosemary, @sophie1019 .. Sophie, @suzieapples, @tdrell .. terri, @tutti .. Lisa

Hello All! I am back from my holiday .. refreshed and raring to go .. wanting to check in with each and every one of you to see just what is going on in your lives .. how you are doing .. how you are progressing .. how things are going.

Please check in so I don’t worry about you .. just a short note to let me know your current status.

I want to thank each of you that jumped in to watch for new people on our Forum while I was gone .. so kind of you. It is so important that we are there for each other on this our shared journey .. you do it well .. again .. thank you!

I am well .. did just great on my trip other than having to explain over and over again that my coughing was NOT contagious. Frankly on my next visit with Dr. Aksamit I am going to request a simple statement that my 3 lung diseases are NOT contagious whether I am coughing or NOT coughing! For whatever reason I tend to cough a LOT in enclosed spaces. Be it in a restaurant .. taxi .. bus .. theatre .. airplane .. whatever. I found a little device: Air Supply Mini-Mate Personal Ionic Air Purifier
https://smile.amazon.com/Supply-Mini-Mate-Personal-Ionic-Purifier--Black/dp/B000B6CMZ4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474246233&sr=8-1&keywords=mini+mate
held up to my nose helps greatly .. for whatever reason! It is supposed to clean the air. I don’t really care how/why it helps me not cough .. I just know it does .. so I pull it out in enclosed spaces and it helps every time! So that is me .. let me know about you! Sending hugs to all! Katherine

Jump to this post

Thank you Lisa for caring and for the prayer. Cila

REPLY
tdrell | @tdrell | Sep 21, 2016
In reply to @Paula_MAC2007 "Melissa, you sure have my sympathies - - having MAC in your sinuses! I think it..." + (show)
@Paula_MAC2007

Melissa, you sure have my sympathies - - having MAC in your sinuses! I think it takes a really observant clinical tech - and perhaps excellent equipment - to differentiate between avium and other types. Are you still on Active Duty military? Where are you getting treated? Sure hope you are getting better.

Paula

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Mellisa were in Desert storm or any of recent Iraq/Kuwait deployments? I ask because i believe I read that some Drs are doing studies about pulmonary issues emerging...from new ...to us...pathogens/conditions that emerge as a reult of sandstorms....how garbage/extrecta was burned over there. Terrid

REPLY
tdrell | @tdrell | Sep 21, 2016
In reply to @Paula_MAC2007 "Maryke, you've also been diagnosed with TB and pleurisy??? Oh my, that's a heavy heavy load..." + (show)
@Paula_MAC2007

Maryke, you've also been diagnosed with TB and pleurisy??? Oh my, that's a heavy heavy load to handle, with MAC/MAI. Pleurisy is VERY painful - let us all know how you are doing! My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Jump to this post

The comment was made at the NJ workshop on NTM that frequently bronchiectasis is misdiagnosed as bronchitis.tdrell

REPLY
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Sep 21, 2016
In reply to @katemn "@apportee, @cila .. Cila, @cathyt .. Cathy, @coylemel333 .. Melody, @digmeme .. Linda, @flib .. Flib,..." + (show)
@katemn

@apportee, @cila .. Cila, @cathyt .. Cathy, @coylemel333 .. Melody, @digmeme .. Linda, @flib .. Flib, @fransky, @heathert .. Heather, @hopeful33250 .. TeresaH, @janovr .. Jan, @justjanet .. Janet, @jillnc, @katiemknor .. Winnie, @kaystrand .. kay S., @kwilbur .. Kathryn, @laneyk .. Elaine, @liliane .. Liliane, @melissa23 .. Melissa, @mimi68 .. Mimi, @Paula_MAC2007 .. Paula, @rosemarya .. Rosemary, @sophie1019 .. Sophie, @suzieapples, @tdrell .. terri, @tutti .. Lisa

Hello All! I am back from my holiday .. refreshed and raring to go .. wanting to check in with each and every one of you to see just what is going on in your lives .. how you are doing .. how you are progressing .. how things are going.

Please check in so I don’t worry about you .. just a short note to let me know your current status.

I want to thank each of you that jumped in to watch for new people on our Forum while I was gone .. so kind of you. It is so important that we are there for each other on this our shared journey .. you do it well .. again .. thank you!

I am well .. did just great on my trip other than having to explain over and over again that my coughing was NOT contagious. Frankly on my next visit with Dr. Aksamit I am going to request a simple statement that my 3 lung diseases are NOT contagious whether I am coughing or NOT coughing! For whatever reason I tend to cough a LOT in enclosed spaces. Be it in a restaurant .. taxi .. bus .. theatre .. airplane .. whatever. I found a little device: Air Supply Mini-Mate Personal Ionic Air Purifier
https://smile.amazon.com/Supply-Mini-Mate-Personal-Ionic-Purifier--Black/dp/B000B6CMZ4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474246233&sr=8-1&keywords=mini+mate
held up to my nose helps greatly .. for whatever reason! It is supposed to clean the air. I don’t really care how/why it helps me not cough .. I just know it does .. so I pull it out in enclosed spaces and it helps every time! So that is me .. let me know about you! Sending hugs to all! Katherine

Jump to this post

@kaystrand the website works on all devices phone, tablets and computers. Were you having problems on the iPad? Please send me a private message or a note using this form if you're having tech issues https://connect.mayoclinic.org/contact-a-community-moderator/

REPLY
tdrell | @tdrell | Sep 21, 2016
In reply to @onlywalther "My husband of 62 years was recently diagnosed. On top of MAC he has Marfan Syndrome...." + (show)
@onlywalther

My husband of 62 years was recently diagnosed. On top of MAC he has Marfan Syndrome. He has had two heart valve transplants, several strokes, bullectomy surgery and a pleurodesis in one lung. He is 6'-5" and weighs 148 pounds. We meet with infectious diseases at Baylor Scott & White in Temple, TX this week. They will be testing his sputum for drug resistance prior to treatment. He was given 5-7 years with the last heart valve replacement which was 3 years ago. He has to be incredibly careful with medication because of potential affects to his liver. Our concerns are many. The length of treatment and side effects taking a toll on a person that does not have "reserves". Would appreciate feed back. Thank you

Jump to this post

Onlywalther....go to ntminfo.org to check their list of Physicians who know MAC....by stae...I think there is acenter in Tyler texas.tdrell

REPLY
Katherine, Alumni Mentor | @katemn | Sep 22, 2016
In reply to @katemn "@apportee, @cila .. Cila, @cathyt .. Cathy, @coylemel333 .. Melody, @digmeme .. Linda, @flib .. Flib,..." + (show)
@katemn

@apportee, @cila .. Cila, @cathyt .. Cathy, @coylemel333 .. Melody, @digmeme .. Linda, @flib .. Flib, @fransky, @heathert .. Heather, @hopeful33250 .. TeresaH, @janovr .. Jan, @justjanet .. Janet, @jillnc, @katiemknor .. Winnie, @kaystrand .. kay S., @kwilbur .. Kathryn, @laneyk .. Elaine, @liliane .. Liliane, @melissa23 .. Melissa, @mimi68 .. Mimi, @Paula_MAC2007 .. Paula, @rosemarya .. Rosemary, @sophie1019 .. Sophie, @suzieapples, @tdrell .. terri, @tutti .. Lisa

Hello All! I am back from my holiday .. refreshed and raring to go .. wanting to check in with each and every one of you to see just what is going on in your lives .. how you are doing .. how you are progressing .. how things are going.

Please check in so I don’t worry about you .. just a short note to let me know your current status.

I want to thank each of you that jumped in to watch for new people on our Forum while I was gone .. so kind of you. It is so important that we are there for each other on this our shared journey .. you do it well .. again .. thank you!

I am well .. did just great on my trip other than having to explain over and over again that my coughing was NOT contagious. Frankly on my next visit with Dr. Aksamit I am going to request a simple statement that my 3 lung diseases are NOT contagious whether I am coughing or NOT coughing! For whatever reason I tend to cough a LOT in enclosed spaces. Be it in a restaurant .. taxi .. bus .. theatre .. airplane .. whatever. I found a little device: Air Supply Mini-Mate Personal Ionic Air Purifier
https://smile.amazon.com/Supply-Mini-Mate-Personal-Ionic-Purifier--Black/dp/B000B6CMZ4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474246233&sr=8-1&keywords=mini+mate
held up to my nose helps greatly .. for whatever reason! It is supposed to clean the air. I don’t really care how/why it helps me not cough .. I just know it does .. so I pull it out in enclosed spaces and it helps every time! So that is me .. let me know about you! Sending hugs to all! Katherine

Jump to this post

Cila, I am so sorry all this is happening for you .. rough! I also have a hard time sleeping .. I don't know if it is because of all the meds I have been on .. side effects .. age or just what. For a while it worked to bite off 1/2 of an over the counter sleep med .. Unisom. Then that stopped working. I am scared to death of the prescription Ambien because of the potential for addiction if used long term.

In researching it .. good old google .. I read about using: two-400 mg Magnesium Capsules FROM TWINLAB. I tried just regular magnesium tabs from the drugstore .. didn't work. Ordered the actual capsules online .. TWINLAB plus the 1/2 Unisom .. AND lo and behold .. it REALLY helps me sleep. Does NOT knock me out for the night .. I still wake up several times a night .. BUT I can get to sleep .. get back to sleep when I wake up each time .. and wake up rested. I can ONLY speak for myself.. but I was very grateful to find a holistic .. healthy .. non prescription method for getting some rest. BUT now hear this .. prior to this I took TWO Fibercon tabs per day to maintain colon health. With the TwinLab calcium tabs .. you will have VERY loose stools .. but I feel this is a very small price to pay for my rest.

I am late getting back to you .. so I second all the good information below from Jill! Personally after trying various Gerds meds I have found that ONLY Aciphex works for me .. and unfortunately my insurance does not insure it well but I am willing to pay extra because it works for me. I only REALLY found help by raising the head of my bed by 5 inches.

An easy solution is: Home-it Adjustable Bed Risers or Furniture Riser bed lifts in Heights of 8, 5 or 3 Inches Heavy Duty Set of 4 bed riser
https://smile.amazon.com/Home--Adjustable-Risers-Furniture-Heights/dp/B00MH74S16/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474566214&sr=8-1&keywords=dorm+bed+risers
Please let us know how you are doing! I am sending you a REALLY big hug .. a tough time for you! Katherine

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