Kay S...will think of you January 18....hopefully someone knows more re which probiotic is less expensive yet effective....I have it on my long list of questions for Dr Huitt at NJH.
If you have to have surgery for the cavity....ask if they can try the VAT method.
At the NTM workshop in September, I sat at lunch with two woman that had had lobes removed several years ago and said they were doing great! They looked great....said they exercised daily...had lots of energy etc

Good luck...Healthy NY 2017 terri D

I had cavitary MAC. Large area in Rt. Upper lobe. Took the 3 antibiotics for 14 months. I have been off the meds . for 4 months now and am doing well. Had chest x-ray 2 weeks ago. It looked as clear as it will probably get. My doctor said scarring present and no change from previous film before discontinuing meds. Waiting for sputum results. Dr. not expecting anything, but wants to be sure.

As far as the probiotics, when I first started treatment, I asked about the use of them and was told the 3 antibiotics for MAC, did not have the effect requiring the use of them. I did not take and have had no problems whatsoever.

After reading posts from others with this disease, I have felt so blessed to be as well as I am now. Was really ill at the beginning, but turn around began after about 4 months after treatment started. I have regained most of the weight I lost and do everything I need to. I think one adjusts to the meds after a while, but I did feel better after a month or so after discontinuation. There is certainly hope with this disease.

I hope my experience will help someone else with MAC.

Thanks for the encouraging words. I have been on meds for 5 months and sputtum still testing positive for MAC ...

@laneyk Elaine, thank you so much for jumping in with your experience! People new to our disease read all the pages of our Forum.. it will be so helpful to them to read your experience .. see that not EVERYONE has all the difficulties! That indeed there is a "light at the end of the tunnel"! You are indeed "playing it forward" .. helping others on their journey as hopefully you have been helped on our Forum.
At the beginning of the journey it is a tough time .. reading your post will really help new people .. again thank you .. AND so glad you are doing so well! Sending you a Big Hug! Katherine

@kaystrand Kay, I try to rotate more than one probiotic so I get several strands .. BUT I found this one with 50 BILLION which I think is pretty darn good at Amazon.com for only $21.54!
$21.54 NOW Foods Probiotic-10, 50 Billion, 50 Vcaps
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0031RJXCK/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&th=1
KEEP REFRIGERATED TO MAINTAIN POTENCY .. only after opening .. not sure??

Kay, good luck on 1/18 .. I will be thinking of you! Let us know how it goes! We are glad you found us also .. we may have helped you .. BUT you have helped others also. That I think is the wonderful thing about our group .. we are all in this together .. sharing the journey together .. a nice place to be! Hugs to you and sending you lots of positive energy for 1/18! Katherine