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@katemn

Bruce, I'm not familiar with the disseminated MAC that you mentioned, but did a quick Google search. From what I could find "disseminated MAC disease is typically associated with defective cellular immunity such as hairy cell leukemia, chronic myelogenous leukemia and AIDS." This means it usually affects people with an already compromised immune system. Whether you have disseminated MAC or merely MAC, it is VERY important that you find a specialist who is familiar with MAC .. as MANY members of this Forum can attest to! Many members have found .. as you have .. that they have more knowledge of MAC than many of the doctors do.

That is WHY I told you it was SO important for you to do your "Due Diligence" and read past pages of this Forum to educate YOURSELF so you will truly understand your disease and it's ramifications. THEN you can seek out proper medical care for yourself and your wife. THEN you WILL NOT be put off by doctors " acting like it's nothing"! When you have educated yourself .. you will feel comfortable being your BEST medical advocate with doctors!

That said .. did you see our wonderful member Janet's .. @justjanet's recommendation of the clinic at UNC in Chapel Hill? You may also consider traveling to Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. Might Chapel Hill or Jacksonville be an option? Mayo Clinic appointment offices. The contact information for Minnesota, Arizona and Florida can be found here http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63.

As I told you before .. you are given but one body in this lifetime .. if you don't take care of it RIGHT NOW .. it can't take care of you for the rest of your journey in this lifetime. Bruce, I know you are in a REALLY tough time .. BUT you MUST gather together whatever energy and strength you can for this next REALLY important next step in finding the right doctor. If money is an issue .. perhaps this is the time to swallow your pride and call upon those who care about you .. explain the IMPERATIVE for you to travel to get the BEST care at this CRUCIAL point in your health. Sorry .. but this may be one of the most important decisions you may make for you and your wife. The old saying "If it is to be .. it is up to me!"

PLEASE keep us posted Bruce, we will be keeping you in our thoughts and sending the two of you LOTS of positive energy and LOTS of Hugs .. .. because all of us on this Forum have been on our own MAC journey .. and know it is a tough one .. though yours is a REALLY tough one! Katherine

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Replies to "Bruce, I'm not familiar with the disseminated MAC that you mentioned, but did a quick Google..."

@bruce668 hopefully things maby improving for you, maby you could email your doctor and ask him/her, just email the receptionist if you can get her email and get her to forward it onto your doctor.

When you find, and see, a competent doctor, that question will be answered, including what would be the right treatment for you (see other posts regarding specific treatments for specific strains of MAC/MAI). In the meantime, here's a few natural/herbal remedies I use to improve respiratory function: 1) Allertrex spray that can be found at http://www.globalhealing.com, and; 2) Breathe Right tea which can be found in most supermarkets and online (I find Amazon to be priced a bit higher for this product). I've also gotten a strong herbal remedy from my Oriental Medicine practitioner to complement the acupuncture I've been receiving which has also helped - I'll see how much when I get my next CAT scan in January.
Hope this is helpful, Bruce.