Welcome to Connect, Lisa. I moved your message to the MAC/MAI forum so that you can meet so many other members, like @katemn @jillnc @tdrell @Paula_MAC2007 and so many more. Many of the people here have been on antibiotics for MAI and can share their experiences with you and hopefully provide some clues about the chest pain you are experiencing.

Hello Lisa, Welcome to our Forum .. so glad you found us! First of all I would suggest that as you find the time and energy that you read through the past pages of the posts .. you will find SO much helpful information and support .. remember .. knowledge is power in our disease!

Now to your concern .. my question is .. how much do you cough? I can only speak for myself .. but MY upper back pain has come from the horrific constant coughing! I joke that I have "abs of steel and that no 73 year old woman should have abs of steel" .. but after coughing constantly since 2011 (diagnosed in 2007) my stomach muscles are very strong .. BUT I periodically strain my upper back muscles from the coughing. When this happens it REALLY hurts! Is this anything like what you are describing .. or is your upper back pain different?

I have not had chest pain or difficulty breathing .. have always worked out so my lungs are pretty strong. Maybe someone else can jump in and talk about this. Personally a doctor telling you CHEST pain is STOMACH issues sound weird. I also have GERDS .. THAT results in STOMACH pain .. NOT chest pain!! Anyone else with any thoughts?

Lisa, I hope others will jump in with some thoughts .. just know that we will all be here to support you on your journey .. keep coming back with your questions. We may not be able to answer them but we can relate whatever our own experience have been .. and be here for you. Sending you a hug in this tough time! Katherine

Hello and thank you for your response. I have been so frustrated for the past 5 years over my symptoms especially when doctors tell me they are not related to myMAI. We know our bodies better than they do and I know I'm not right.
As far as my cough, it's not too often, sometimes in the morning I cough for a few minutes until I'm up and about. During the day occasionally but never an on going cough. I do have a horse voice a lot and trouble clearing my throat. Doc said....post nasal drip. Don't believe that for a minute! But my main concern is my chest pain/tightness. It starts from my upper belly, more like between my breast and goes all the way to my throat. I have hiatal hernia but very mild. I eat healthy and light and most nights I don't eat dinner. Or I eat my last meal at 4 or 5 due to my work schedule. My MAI is in my right lung and the back pain is in the center and right side of my back.
I was asked by my doctor to go for another cat scan after completing my 1 1/2 year treatment. I refused do to the level of radiation. Also because I didn't feel any better. Anyone out there have any comments about having too any ca scans? Also, I live in the New York area, anyone know of a good doctor I can see for this?
Thank you and bless us all!

I was diagnosed w MAC in July from a CT scan, but probably had it for a year.
First, I have horrid throat clearing, I do have post nasal drip, and Mayo MN gave me nasal drops and I'm having a PH Impedence test for reflux. Anyone had that test?

The docs said it's 25-30 years for radiation to ever cause a problem. I figure they have to see if my MAC Cavity is growing to know if it's better. Last time the wall was thinning. I have upper right lung, one cavity, weird.

So, I can't relate to the cough but the throat clearing I can, have it much of the day.

And, I'm old enough that 25-30 years will make me really old, so no worries about ct scan.

Kay S

Don't know anything about this disease but I had a chronic dry cough every day for 18 years before I was diagnosed by an Allergist with Reflux! I didn't believe him I never had heartburn in my life. But he was correct! Sorry it took them so many years to diagnose me because I suffered a lot but never gave up!<br><br>

Dear Cowboy,
Glad you found a source. Hope you get relief. They tested my cough with medication for two months to see if I had acid reflux, but alas i did not so that's not my issue. Best wishes,
David

Dear Lisa, Sorry to hear of hoarse voice. Must be frustrating. If it is post-nasal, have you checked your allergies. Or maybe a sinus specialist. They are doing new stuff now days.
I don't think there is a lot of radiation in CT scan. They are quick and localized. You might research how large a dose of radiation one CT gives compared to something like the cancer radiation some people get.
Blessings
David

Hello Lisa, I can see where you coming from. I too have pressure on my chest, having hard time breathing sometimes and aching on my back. My pul. Dr. said its my acid reflux but I think is from my lungs. A friend of mind said who had NTM said is 1 of the side effect of the medicine. I have been on the 3 meds for 4 months now and Nov. I will see my Dr. and said I will have CT scan. I really can't tell if the meds are working. The only relief I get when I feel the pressure on chest and back is prayer and rest. I can't do all the things I used to do without stoping and rest. I will have you in my prayer and look at the bright side. Cila

Dear Readers,
Many thanks to the contributer who suggested the videos on lung disease from the national jewish health conference! It is at:
https://www.nationaljewish.org/ntmvideos2016
They were very clear and helpful and informative!
Hats off to you!

David
If the test they did for reflux was to put you on a PPI drug, they don't necessarily help airway reflux ( the kind you get symptoms from like post nasal drip, coughing but no hearburn). Mayo does a 24 hour Impedence test which is the only test that is definitive I was told, for silent reflux. Silent Reflux can cause MAC in some casas so I'm having the test, hoping to get rid of my MAC but making sure Reflux does not cause it to come back.

This is just what I was told. Others can weigh in on this.

Thanks
Kay S