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(MAC/MAI) Mycobacterium Avium Complex Pulmonary Disease: Join us
MAC & Bronchiectasis | Last Active: Nov 21 5:21pm | Replies (9354)Comment receiving replies
@ginak Gina, this is just me .. but I think I would definitely NOT get a water cooler! See the below info if mycobacterium is your concern. When I went to a lot of trouble putting in a 4-Stage 0.1 Micron Ultra-Filtration Water Filtration System in my kitchen sink .. I took all the particulars including pictures to my appt with Dr. Aksamit. He IMMEDIATELY pointed out the problem point .. the faucet .. pointing out no matter how carefully I filtered the water "biofilm" would build up on the interior of the faucet. He also followed up with this message to me: Truthfully I do not regret installing it .. it may NOT be perfect but I still think better than the tap water??
Hello Katherine,
Again, apologize for the delayed response. Let me share with you information received from a colleague, Dr. Joseph Falkinham from Virginia Tech University. He is one of the leading experts in the country and world, studying these very issues for many years. I might add that there is no definitive data as to whether any of these home water modifications of exposure will impact the clinical course of pulmonary NTM patients, and if so to what extent. Likewise, it is equally unclear as to what impact these modifications would have on minimizing risk of development of pulmonary NTM disease if changes are made prior to development of disease. Please let me know if additional information is needed or if I can clarify further.
Regards,
Dr. A
(from Dr. Falkinham)
(1) Even with installation of a 0.2 micron meter pore size filter, the house will always have NTM as they are in the pipe biofilms. They grow in the biofilm on nutrients in the filtered water and inoculate the water.
(2) As an alternative, I suggest filters on just those water sources where aerosols can be generated; namely a shower and a water tap in the bathroom...maybe even in the kitchen. Those places should only be used by the NTM patient, not everyone, as the filters are expensive and need regular replacement.
(3) The 0.2 micron filters clog, so it is important to pre-filter the water (1-5 micrometer filters). The larger pore filters are less expensive than the expensive 0.2 micro meter pore size filters.
Gina, I personally have chosen to install the 0.2 micron filters shower heads .. they are costly and must be changed frequently so it is on a shower that only I use. I have on the Forum how to purchase them if anyone is interested. Hope the above information helps someone.
Replies to "@ginak Gina, this is just me .. but I think I would definitely NOT get a..."
I believe research shows the mycobacterium to be in water and soil...and that it can reproduce in the plastic lining of pipes, fridge ice/water makers, etc. NJ recommends a 0.2 micron filter for whole house to keep 'em out at the source...I've gotten one for my home but it is expensive as are the replacement filters. My hope is that as microbe-free water continues to flow, over time all of 'em will be eliminated from my pipes, etc. But if that is to happen, only a whole house filter will do it, @.2 microns.
@pamelasc1, Pamela I think you hit the nail on the head. You would have to CONSTANTLY have the water tested for mycobacterium because as Dr. Aksamit said .. my kitchen special filtration system ONLY has 0.2 micron filtered water going through it .. but he said the faucet itself would STILL retain SOME moisture after use/shut off .. developing in biofilm in the faucet .. developing in mycobacterium!! Katherine
FILTERATION OF HOME WATER SYSTEMS
Hello Katherine,
Again, apologize for the delayed response. Let me share with you information received from a colleague, Dr. Joseph Falkinham from Virginia Tech University. He is one of the leading experts in the country and world, studying these very issues for many years. I might add that there is no definitive data as to whether any of these home water modifications of exposure will impact the clinical course of pulmonary NTM patients, and if so to what extent. Likewise, it is equally unclear as to what impact these modifications would have on minimizing risk of development of pulmonary NTM disease if changes are made prior to development of disease. Please let me know if additional information is needed or if I can clarify further.
Regards,
Dr. A
(from Dr. Falkinham)
(1) Even with installation of a 0.2 micron meter pore size filter, the house will always have NTM as they are in the pipe biofilms. They grow in the biofilm on nutrients in the filtered water and inoculate the water.
(2) As an alternative, I suggest filters on just those water sources where aerosols can be generated; namely a shower and a water tap in the bathroom...maybe even in the kitchen. Those places should only be used by the NTM patient, not everyone, as the filters are expensive and need regular replacement.
(3) The 0.2 micron filters clog, so it is important to pre-filter the water (1-5 micrometer filters). The larger pore filters are less expensive than the expensive 0.2 micro meter pore size filters.
Content above is information provided by Aksamit, Timothy R., M.D. on 03-Feb-2017 14:09
<br><br><br><br><br>This is only MY take on MAC. It is everywhere, I feel like we get infected <br>because our immune systems are not working properly. Because MAC is <br>unavoidable, I don't know that water filters are the answer.Do all you can to <br>boost your immune system, Accept the fact that antibiotics are going to be in <br>your life. Of course do like Katherine always says; eat healthy foods and <br>exercise, and follow doctor's orders.<br> <br><br>
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This is Pamela asking a question about MAC and water: has anyone who now has special filters for their shower heads and kitchen sink, etc. had the water from their taps tested for MAC ? Should all of us assume that MAC could be coming from the pipes AND the actual water? I would think that the first thing to do to rule this out is to test the water so I wonder if anyone did that. Pamela