1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis
Profile picture for Katherine, Alumni Mentor

(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.

Profile picture for Katherine, Alumni Mentor
Katherine, Alumni Mentor | @katemn | Mar 15, 2017
In reply to @katemn "Dear All, This is the question form I use when I see my MAC/Bronchiectasis doctor. This..." + (show)
Profile picture for Katherine, Alumni Mentor @katemn

Dear All,
This is the question form I use when I see my MAC/Bronchiectasis doctor. This is merely the form I put together for myself .. cut/pasted from numerous sources .. use it .. redesign it for your own needs or whatever. You could easily copy/paste/ADD SPACES FOR NOTES/redesign it for your own use. Hope it helps someone! Hugs! Katherine
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Questions to Ask Your Doctor-LUNGS-MAI- Bronchiectasis
DOCTORS’ NAME: PHONE #: FAX #:

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Questions To Ask Your Doctor
DOCTOR: _________________________________SPECIALTY______________________ DATE_______________
1. Where is the MAI/Bronchiectasis located currently? Are there new areas or new changes? At what stage would you say it is on a scale of 1 to 10? How does it compare to my last appointment for each.

2. Are the drugs I am taking currently effective for the two mycobacterium/Bronchiectasis ?
a. Are the dosing level for each medication effective or do they need to be adjusted? b. What period of time before one of the medications can be adjusted or eliminated?

3. Based on the current progress how long would you project that I would me to be on the medications?

4. What monitoring will I continue to need? When will I need my next:
a. Follow up appointments with you? b. X-rays/ CT scans
c. Monthly Lab work
d. Hearing testing
e. Vision testing
f. Monthly salt induced Sputum Cultures (Hypertonic Saline Induced Sputum Culture)

5. How long would you anticipate the side effects of night sweats/sleep disturbance/fatigue/oral thrush/dry mouth/geographic tongue to continue? a. Do you have any suggestions for coping with the less serious side effects?

6. Do you agree with the current Medication Schedule I am following?

7. Do you suggest any other lung clearance devices? How often/when?

8. Can I still take my stated over the counter medicines/vitamins/supplements?

IF SUGGESTED NEW Medication:
a. Spelling of new drug I will be taking
b. dosing level of each new medication
c. what period of time before the next medication
d. how long do you expect me to be on the medications
e. any new monitoring will I need
f. any side effects will I likely to have
g. which side effect should be reported immediately
h. when/how do I take each of these medications/ what schedule should I follow

TESTING RECOMMENDED FOR ANTIBIOTICS:
IMPORTANT! https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/susceptibility/tab/test/
Make sure your Pulmonologist is doing a 'susceptibility panel' IN ADVANCE of going on that particular antibiotic to tell EXACTLY what your MAC will respond to and WHICH one of the few drugs that will work on that particular mycobacterium. This panel is done from a positive sputum culture or lavage of lung. Susceptibility testing is often ordered at the same time as a culture.

Susceptibility Testing for Mycobacteria
http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/interpretive-guide/
http://cid.oxfordjournals.org/content/31/5/1209.full
http://www.mmmig.nl/static/filebank/d073522b5602729078139d641a4cf987/antimicrobial-susceptibility-testing-drug-resistance-mechanisms-and-therapy-of-infections-with-nontuberculous-mycobacteria.pdf
TESTING-baseline and periodic
1. Ethambutol – color vision and visual acuity: GET BASELINE PRIOR TO STARTING .. THEN QUARTERLY
2. Azithromycin – hearing and balance: GET BASELINE PRIOR TO STARTING .. THEN QUARTERLY
3. Rifampin - CBD (blood counts), liver and kidney function tests: GET BASELINE PRIOR TO STARTING .. THEN MONTHLY

OR TESTING:
BASELINE: HEARING AND VISION (Vision: Additional testing for eyes are use of the “eye chart” with letters read at 20 feet, and a red-green color book to distinguish changes in the ability to visualize colors.)
MONTHLY: BLOOD COUNTS, LIVER AND KIDNEY FUNCTION TESTS, SPUTUM CULTURES
QUARTERLY: HEARING and VISION
NOTE: Ethambutol – color vision and visual acuity – monthly ( Additional testing for eyes are use of the “eye chart” with letters read at 20 feet, and a red-green color book to distinguish changes in the ability to visualize colors.)

**** Lab tests:
CBC- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
ALT- Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) LIVER
alk phosphatase- Alkaline Phosphatase - LIVER
serum creatinine-. Creatinine and Creatinine Clearance-SERUM CREATININE - KIDNEY

TESTING-AFTER ANTIBIOTIC TREATMENT ENDS I can ONLY speak for myself about what testing is correct after going off antibiotic treatment. Personally I had quarterly check ups with my doctor including sputum cultures initially .. then as he put the 'puzzle' together based on the results of the sputum culture/Xray/Pulmunary Testing ..deciding when to go to semi annual .. then to annual .. sometimes then back to semi annual. It is ALL up to your GOOD Infectious Disease doctor who is KNOWLEDGEABLE about MAC. But it is my understanding there SHOULD be follow up check ups to CONFIRM that the MAC in your lungs is STILL negative/NOT colonizing. Without CONTINUING checkups (I expect for my life time) we have NO idea if the MAC is colonizing .. OR IF we are still negative! Those nasty critters DON'T disappear .. just lie there in waiting .. that is why it is so important to take good care of ourselves .. eat healthy .. exercise .. stay positive .. be serene! Hope this is helpful. Katherine

TESTING RECOMMENDED FOR VITAMIN LEVELS
1. Ask for your VD-3 level to be checked .. they can get too low. Speak to your Doctor first .. but I took: NATURE MADE brand 5,000 IU of Vitamin D-3 (NOT VD) *From our member @tdrell Terri, my Primary Dr at NJH doubled the VD I take to 4000 units a day... my lab test showed I was at 50 and she said she likes to see it at 100.
2. Ask for your B-12 level to be checked .. they can get too low
3. Personally I always purchase the brand Nature Made vitamins for it's quality .. ' Nature Made is the first brand to earn the USP Verified Mark on one of its products, an independent certification for quality and purity.'

THINGS TO CONSIDER:
• Keep copies of all your lab work
• Keep your x-ray/CT scan films yourself, or consider having them done where they can be put on a CD http://ntminfo.org/files/QuestionsToAskYourDoctor.pdf http://ntminfo.org/index.php

Jump to this post

@tdrell Terri, I have ONLY referenced the Salt induced sputum Culture in a medical setting .. SO hopefully no newcomer will misunderstand!

Terri, I am SO HAPPY with your results from NJH .. couldn't be better news! BUT concerned about this old doctor. Frankly he sounds like an absolute jerk! I have NEVER had any doctor in my lifetime act "irate" because I got a second opinion .. that went contrary to their FIRST OPINION! That sounds like a VERY insecure doctor! SO glad you listened to your gut feeling and were your own BEST advocate!

I am just ELATED that you did your "due diligence' .. put one your "thinking cap" and have started with a NEW Pulmonologist who AGREES with the findings of NJH! Do you have your sleep apnea equipment yet? My husband uses it every night. The fit is very important .. my husband has been through 2 or 3 different masks before he found one that really fit well. He would pull it off during the night .. pressure was uncomfortable. I would really bug him to work with his doctor .. he has a sleep apnea specialist he works with because of the increase risk of heart issues .. you know I am big on knowledge is power .. so read: http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/More/MyHeartandStrokeNews/Sleep-Apnea-and-Heart-Disease-Stroke_UCM_441857_Article.jsp

Don't give up until your machine is working well for you .. and meet with the specialist on a regular basis.

NOW .. with your Gerds .. just want to make sure you have elevated. So glad you are listening to your body .. taking care of yourself .. keep us posted .. we care! Hugs to you! Katherine

REPLY
Profile picture for mari
mari | @mari | Mar 16, 2017
In reply to @katemn "@jillnc .. Jill, thanks for the clarification .. interesting that they don't even TREAT Respiratory Syncytial..." + (show)
Profile picture for Katherine, Alumni Mentor @katemn

@jillnc .. Jill, thanks for the clarification .. interesting that they don't even TREAT Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in adults! How on earth are we supposed to "diagnose" ourselves between Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and a more serious virus or whatever?! I would think you did the wise thing is seeking medical care with your other health issues .. better safe than sorry I would feel for myself! Thanks for explaining! Hugs! Katherine

Jump to this post

How about a section called PET PEEVES?Like medical people touching their hair then dealing w my health. the dental assistant defended her right to push her hair back then touch instruments after that.<br>Mari

REPLY
Profile picture for Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor
Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor | @windwalker | Mar 16, 2017
In reply to @katemn "Dear All, This is the question form I use when I see my MAC/Bronchiectasis doctor. This..." + (show)
Profile picture for Katherine, Alumni Mentor @katemn

Dear All,
This is the question form I use when I see my MAC/Bronchiectasis doctor. This is merely the form I put together for myself .. cut/pasted from numerous sources .. use it .. redesign it for your own needs or whatever. You could easily copy/paste/ADD SPACES FOR NOTES/redesign it for your own use. Hope it helps someone! Hugs! Katherine
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Questions to Ask Your Doctor-LUNGS-MAI- Bronchiectasis
DOCTORS’ NAME: PHONE #: FAX #:

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Questions To Ask Your Doctor
DOCTOR: _________________________________SPECIALTY______________________ DATE_______________
1. Where is the MAI/Bronchiectasis located currently? Are there new areas or new changes? At what stage would you say it is on a scale of 1 to 10? How does it compare to my last appointment for each.

2. Are the drugs I am taking currently effective for the two mycobacterium/Bronchiectasis ?
a. Are the dosing level for each medication effective or do they need to be adjusted? b. What period of time before one of the medications can be adjusted or eliminated?

3. Based on the current progress how long would you project that I would me to be on the medications?

4. What monitoring will I continue to need? When will I need my next:
a. Follow up appointments with you? b. X-rays/ CT scans
c. Monthly Lab work
d. Hearing testing
e. Vision testing
f. Monthly salt induced Sputum Cultures (Hypertonic Saline Induced Sputum Culture)

5. How long would you anticipate the side effects of night sweats/sleep disturbance/fatigue/oral thrush/dry mouth/geographic tongue to continue? a. Do you have any suggestions for coping with the less serious side effects?

6. Do you agree with the current Medication Schedule I am following?

7. Do you suggest any other lung clearance devices? How often/when?

8. Can I still take my stated over the counter medicines/vitamins/supplements?

IF SUGGESTED NEW Medication:
a. Spelling of new drug I will be taking
b. dosing level of each new medication
c. what period of time before the next medication
d. how long do you expect me to be on the medications
e. any new monitoring will I need
f. any side effects will I likely to have
g. which side effect should be reported immediately
h. when/how do I take each of these medications/ what schedule should I follow

TESTING RECOMMENDED FOR ANTIBIOTICS:
IMPORTANT! https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/susceptibility/tab/test/
Make sure your Pulmonologist is doing a 'susceptibility panel' IN ADVANCE of going on that particular antibiotic to tell EXACTLY what your MAC will respond to and WHICH one of the few drugs that will work on that particular mycobacterium. This panel is done from a positive sputum culture or lavage of lung. Susceptibility testing is often ordered at the same time as a culture.

Susceptibility Testing for Mycobacteria
http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/interpretive-guide/
http://cid.oxfordjournals.org/content/31/5/1209.full
http://www.mmmig.nl/static/filebank/d073522b5602729078139d641a4cf987/antimicrobial-susceptibility-testing-drug-resistance-mechanisms-and-therapy-of-infections-with-nontuberculous-mycobacteria.pdf
TESTING-baseline and periodic
1. Ethambutol – color vision and visual acuity: GET BASELINE PRIOR TO STARTING .. THEN QUARTERLY
2. Azithromycin – hearing and balance: GET BASELINE PRIOR TO STARTING .. THEN QUARTERLY
3. Rifampin - CBD (blood counts), liver and kidney function tests: GET BASELINE PRIOR TO STARTING .. THEN MONTHLY

OR TESTING:
BASELINE: HEARING AND VISION (Vision: Additional testing for eyes are use of the “eye chart” with letters read at 20 feet, and a red-green color book to distinguish changes in the ability to visualize colors.)
MONTHLY: BLOOD COUNTS, LIVER AND KIDNEY FUNCTION TESTS, SPUTUM CULTURES
QUARTERLY: HEARING and VISION
NOTE: Ethambutol – color vision and visual acuity – monthly ( Additional testing for eyes are use of the “eye chart” with letters read at 20 feet, and a red-green color book to distinguish changes in the ability to visualize colors.)

**** Lab tests:
CBC- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
ALT- Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) LIVER
alk phosphatase- Alkaline Phosphatase - LIVER
serum creatinine-. Creatinine and Creatinine Clearance-SERUM CREATININE - KIDNEY

TESTING-AFTER ANTIBIOTIC TREATMENT ENDS I can ONLY speak for myself about what testing is correct after going off antibiotic treatment. Personally I had quarterly check ups with my doctor including sputum cultures initially .. then as he put the 'puzzle' together based on the results of the sputum culture/Xray/Pulmunary Testing ..deciding when to go to semi annual .. then to annual .. sometimes then back to semi annual. It is ALL up to your GOOD Infectious Disease doctor who is KNOWLEDGEABLE about MAC. But it is my understanding there SHOULD be follow up check ups to CONFIRM that the MAC in your lungs is STILL negative/NOT colonizing. Without CONTINUING checkups (I expect for my life time) we have NO idea if the MAC is colonizing .. OR IF we are still negative! Those nasty critters DON'T disappear .. just lie there in waiting .. that is why it is so important to take good care of ourselves .. eat healthy .. exercise .. stay positive .. be serene! Hope this is helpful. Katherine

TESTING RECOMMENDED FOR VITAMIN LEVELS
1. Ask for your VD-3 level to be checked .. they can get too low. Speak to your Doctor first .. but I took: NATURE MADE brand 5,000 IU of Vitamin D-3 (NOT VD) *From our member @tdrell Terri, my Primary Dr at NJH doubled the VD I take to 4000 units a day... my lab test showed I was at 50 and she said she likes to see it at 100.
2. Ask for your B-12 level to be checked .. they can get too low
3. Personally I always purchase the brand Nature Made vitamins for it's quality .. ' Nature Made is the first brand to earn the USP Verified Mark on one of its products, an independent certification for quality and purity.'

THINGS TO CONSIDER:
• Keep copies of all your lab work
• Keep your x-ray/CT scan films yourself, or consider having them done where they can be put on a CD http://ntminfo.org/files/QuestionsToAskYourDoctor.pdf http://ntminfo.org/index.php

Jump to this post

<br><br><br><br><br>I am so glad to hear you are doing so well! Can I ask what that home remedy <br>was? -Terri M.<br> <br><br>

REPLY
Profile picture for Katherine, Alumni Mentor
Katherine, Alumni Mentor | @katemn | Mar 16, 2017
In reply to @katemn "Dear All, This is the question form I use when I see my MAC/Bronchiectasis doctor. This..." + (show)
Profile picture for Katherine, Alumni Mentor @katemn

Dear All,
This is the question form I use when I see my MAC/Bronchiectasis doctor. This is merely the form I put together for myself .. cut/pasted from numerous sources .. use it .. redesign it for your own needs or whatever. You could easily copy/paste/ADD SPACES FOR NOTES/redesign it for your own use. Hope it helps someone! Hugs! Katherine
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Questions to Ask Your Doctor-LUNGS-MAI- Bronchiectasis
DOCTORS’ NAME: PHONE #: FAX #:

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Questions To Ask Your Doctor
DOCTOR: _________________________________SPECIALTY______________________ DATE_______________
1. Where is the MAI/Bronchiectasis located currently? Are there new areas or new changes? At what stage would you say it is on a scale of 1 to 10? How does it compare to my last appointment for each.

2. Are the drugs I am taking currently effective for the two mycobacterium/Bronchiectasis ?
a. Are the dosing level for each medication effective or do they need to be adjusted? b. What period of time before one of the medications can be adjusted or eliminated?

3. Based on the current progress how long would you project that I would me to be on the medications?

4. What monitoring will I continue to need? When will I need my next:
a. Follow up appointments with you? b. X-rays/ CT scans
c. Monthly Lab work
d. Hearing testing
e. Vision testing
f. Monthly salt induced Sputum Cultures (Hypertonic Saline Induced Sputum Culture)

5. How long would you anticipate the side effects of night sweats/sleep disturbance/fatigue/oral thrush/dry mouth/geographic tongue to continue? a. Do you have any suggestions for coping with the less serious side effects?

6. Do you agree with the current Medication Schedule I am following?

7. Do you suggest any other lung clearance devices? How often/when?

8. Can I still take my stated over the counter medicines/vitamins/supplements?

IF SUGGESTED NEW Medication:
a. Spelling of new drug I will be taking
b. dosing level of each new medication
c. what period of time before the next medication
d. how long do you expect me to be on the medications
e. any new monitoring will I need
f. any side effects will I likely to have
g. which side effect should be reported immediately
h. when/how do I take each of these medications/ what schedule should I follow

TESTING RECOMMENDED FOR ANTIBIOTICS:
IMPORTANT! https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/susceptibility/tab/test/
Make sure your Pulmonologist is doing a 'susceptibility panel' IN ADVANCE of going on that particular antibiotic to tell EXACTLY what your MAC will respond to and WHICH one of the few drugs that will work on that particular mycobacterium. This panel is done from a positive sputum culture or lavage of lung. Susceptibility testing is often ordered at the same time as a culture.

Susceptibility Testing for Mycobacteria
http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/interpretive-guide/
http://cid.oxfordjournals.org/content/31/5/1209.full
http://www.mmmig.nl/static/filebank/d073522b5602729078139d641a4cf987/antimicrobial-susceptibility-testing-drug-resistance-mechanisms-and-therapy-of-infections-with-nontuberculous-mycobacteria.pdf
TESTING-baseline and periodic
1. Ethambutol – color vision and visual acuity: GET BASELINE PRIOR TO STARTING .. THEN QUARTERLY
2. Azithromycin – hearing and balance: GET BASELINE PRIOR TO STARTING .. THEN QUARTERLY
3. Rifampin - CBD (blood counts), liver and kidney function tests: GET BASELINE PRIOR TO STARTING .. THEN MONTHLY

OR TESTING:
BASELINE: HEARING AND VISION (Vision: Additional testing for eyes are use of the “eye chart” with letters read at 20 feet, and a red-green color book to distinguish changes in the ability to visualize colors.)
MONTHLY: BLOOD COUNTS, LIVER AND KIDNEY FUNCTION TESTS, SPUTUM CULTURES
QUARTERLY: HEARING and VISION
NOTE: Ethambutol – color vision and visual acuity – monthly ( Additional testing for eyes are use of the “eye chart” with letters read at 20 feet, and a red-green color book to distinguish changes in the ability to visualize colors.)

**** Lab tests:
CBC- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
ALT- Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) LIVER
alk phosphatase- Alkaline Phosphatase - LIVER
serum creatinine-. Creatinine and Creatinine Clearance-SERUM CREATININE - KIDNEY

TESTING-AFTER ANTIBIOTIC TREATMENT ENDS I can ONLY speak for myself about what testing is correct after going off antibiotic treatment. Personally I had quarterly check ups with my doctor including sputum cultures initially .. then as he put the 'puzzle' together based on the results of the sputum culture/Xray/Pulmunary Testing ..deciding when to go to semi annual .. then to annual .. sometimes then back to semi annual. It is ALL up to your GOOD Infectious Disease doctor who is KNOWLEDGEABLE about MAC. But it is my understanding there SHOULD be follow up check ups to CONFIRM that the MAC in your lungs is STILL negative/NOT colonizing. Without CONTINUING checkups (I expect for my life time) we have NO idea if the MAC is colonizing .. OR IF we are still negative! Those nasty critters DON'T disappear .. just lie there in waiting .. that is why it is so important to take good care of ourselves .. eat healthy .. exercise .. stay positive .. be serene! Hope this is helpful. Katherine

TESTING RECOMMENDED FOR VITAMIN LEVELS
1. Ask for your VD-3 level to be checked .. they can get too low. Speak to your Doctor first .. but I took: NATURE MADE brand 5,000 IU of Vitamin D-3 (NOT VD) *From our member @tdrell Terri, my Primary Dr at NJH doubled the VD I take to 4000 units a day... my lab test showed I was at 50 and she said she likes to see it at 100.
2. Ask for your B-12 level to be checked .. they can get too low
3. Personally I always purchase the brand Nature Made vitamins for it's quality .. ' Nature Made is the first brand to earn the USP Verified Mark on one of its products, an independent certification for quality and purity.'

THINGS TO CONSIDER:
• Keep copies of all your lab work
• Keep your x-ray/CT scan films yourself, or consider having them done where they can be put on a CD http://ntminfo.org/files/QuestionsToAskYourDoctor.pdf http://ntminfo.org/index.php

Jump to this post

@windwalker, Terri .. it is not a "home remedy" .. it is homeopathic .. if you google that word you will learn about it. First you have to find a qualified "Certified Homeopath" .. meet with them .. go over all your medical/life profile .. THEN they prescribe for you. It is a rather complex procedure .. but after working with her now for quite a few years she knows me so well I can now email her when I am in a bind/not well and I have past years of remedies on file that she can prescribe knowing my history. Not something that is done quickly/easily but from my standpoint it has been well worth it. My migraine prescription has been cut in half as an example over time .. which was the original reason I went to her .. so I am a happy camper! Hugs! Katerine

REPLY
Profile picture for boomerexpert
boomerexpert | @boomerexpert | Mar 16, 2017

Really... Although medical professionals at all levels rarely appreciate being even nicely reminded that they're not following standard cleanliness protocols, don't ever let that stop you from doing it... Particularly with us being extra susceptible - we cannot be shy about this.

REPLY
Profile picture for Katherine, Alumni Mentor
Katherine, Alumni Mentor | @katemn | Mar 16, 2017
In reply to @katemn "@jillnc .. Jill, thanks for the clarification .. interesting that they don't even TREAT Respiratory Syncytial..." + (show)
Profile picture for Katherine, Alumni Mentor @katemn

@jillnc .. Jill, thanks for the clarification .. interesting that they don't even TREAT Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in adults! How on earth are we supposed to "diagnose" ourselves between Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and a more serious virus or whatever?! I would think you did the wise thing is seeking medical care with your other health issues .. better safe than sorry I would feel for myself! Thanks for explaining! Hugs! Katherine

Jump to this post

@mari .. Mari , I am BIG on being your OWN best advocate .. it is OUR body .. no one is going to care about it as much as we will. SO in the cases you mentioned I would make the effort to say "I noticed you just touched your hair. Would you mind rewashing your hands/changing your gloves? I happen to have MYCOBACTERIUM AVIUM INTRACELLURLAR COMPLEX which has led to a compromised immune system .. I just can't be too careful about additional mycobacterium!"

Truthfully MYCOBACTERIUM AVIUM INTRACELLURLAR COMPLEX is such a mouthful PLUS so few people even know what it means that they are taken aback! So then will NOT have a problem "rewashing your hands/changing your gloves" .. WHILE you are explaining your lung condition! Just stand up for yourself! It doesn't need to be a Pet Peeve .. take action as far as I am concerned. By darn it MY body .. MY lungs I am protecting! Hugs! Katherine

REPLY
Profile picture for boomerexpert
boomerexpert | @boomerexpert | Mar 16, 2017
In reply to @katemn "Dear All, This is the question form I use when I see my MAC/Bronchiectasis doctor. This..." + (show)
Profile picture for Katherine, Alumni Mentor @katemn

Dear All,
This is the question form I use when I see my MAC/Bronchiectasis doctor. This is merely the form I put together for myself .. cut/pasted from numerous sources .. use it .. redesign it for your own needs or whatever. You could easily copy/paste/ADD SPACES FOR NOTES/redesign it for your own use. Hope it helps someone! Hugs! Katherine
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Questions to Ask Your Doctor-LUNGS-MAI- Bronchiectasis
DOCTORS’ NAME: PHONE #: FAX #:

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Questions To Ask Your Doctor
DOCTOR: _________________________________SPECIALTY______________________ DATE_______________
1. Where is the MAI/Bronchiectasis located currently? Are there new areas or new changes? At what stage would you say it is on a scale of 1 to 10? How does it compare to my last appointment for each.

2. Are the drugs I am taking currently effective for the two mycobacterium/Bronchiectasis ?
a. Are the dosing level for each medication effective or do they need to be adjusted? b. What period of time before one of the medications can be adjusted or eliminated?

3. Based on the current progress how long would you project that I would me to be on the medications?

4. What monitoring will I continue to need? When will I need my next:
a. Follow up appointments with you? b. X-rays/ CT scans
c. Monthly Lab work
d. Hearing testing
e. Vision testing
f. Monthly salt induced Sputum Cultures (Hypertonic Saline Induced Sputum Culture)

5. How long would you anticipate the side effects of night sweats/sleep disturbance/fatigue/oral thrush/dry mouth/geographic tongue to continue? a. Do you have any suggestions for coping with the less serious side effects?

6. Do you agree with the current Medication Schedule I am following?

7. Do you suggest any other lung clearance devices? How often/when?

8. Can I still take my stated over the counter medicines/vitamins/supplements?

IF SUGGESTED NEW Medication:
a. Spelling of new drug I will be taking
b. dosing level of each new medication
c. what period of time before the next medication
d. how long do you expect me to be on the medications
e. any new monitoring will I need
f. any side effects will I likely to have
g. which side effect should be reported immediately
h. when/how do I take each of these medications/ what schedule should I follow

TESTING RECOMMENDED FOR ANTIBIOTICS:
IMPORTANT! https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/susceptibility/tab/test/
Make sure your Pulmonologist is doing a 'susceptibility panel' IN ADVANCE of going on that particular antibiotic to tell EXACTLY what your MAC will respond to and WHICH one of the few drugs that will work on that particular mycobacterium. This panel is done from a positive sputum culture or lavage of lung. Susceptibility testing is often ordered at the same time as a culture.

Susceptibility Testing for Mycobacteria
http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/interpretive-guide/
http://cid.oxfordjournals.org/content/31/5/1209.full
http://www.mmmig.nl/static/filebank/d073522b5602729078139d641a4cf987/antimicrobial-susceptibility-testing-drug-resistance-mechanisms-and-therapy-of-infections-with-nontuberculous-mycobacteria.pdf
TESTING-baseline and periodic
1. Ethambutol – color vision and visual acuity: GET BASELINE PRIOR TO STARTING .. THEN QUARTERLY
2. Azithromycin – hearing and balance: GET BASELINE PRIOR TO STARTING .. THEN QUARTERLY
3. Rifampin - CBD (blood counts), liver and kidney function tests: GET BASELINE PRIOR TO STARTING .. THEN MONTHLY

OR TESTING:
BASELINE: HEARING AND VISION (Vision: Additional testing for eyes are use of the “eye chart” with letters read at 20 feet, and a red-green color book to distinguish changes in the ability to visualize colors.)
MONTHLY: BLOOD COUNTS, LIVER AND KIDNEY FUNCTION TESTS, SPUTUM CULTURES
QUARTERLY: HEARING and VISION
NOTE: Ethambutol – color vision and visual acuity – monthly ( Additional testing for eyes are use of the “eye chart” with letters read at 20 feet, and a red-green color book to distinguish changes in the ability to visualize colors.)

**** Lab tests:
CBC- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
ALT- Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) LIVER
alk phosphatase- Alkaline Phosphatase - LIVER
serum creatinine-. Creatinine and Creatinine Clearance-SERUM CREATININE - KIDNEY

TESTING-AFTER ANTIBIOTIC TREATMENT ENDS I can ONLY speak for myself about what testing is correct after going off antibiotic treatment. Personally I had quarterly check ups with my doctor including sputum cultures initially .. then as he put the 'puzzle' together based on the results of the sputum culture/Xray/Pulmunary Testing ..deciding when to go to semi annual .. then to annual .. sometimes then back to semi annual. It is ALL up to your GOOD Infectious Disease doctor who is KNOWLEDGEABLE about MAC. But it is my understanding there SHOULD be follow up check ups to CONFIRM that the MAC in your lungs is STILL negative/NOT colonizing. Without CONTINUING checkups (I expect for my life time) we have NO idea if the MAC is colonizing .. OR IF we are still negative! Those nasty critters DON'T disappear .. just lie there in waiting .. that is why it is so important to take good care of ourselves .. eat healthy .. exercise .. stay positive .. be serene! Hope this is helpful. Katherine

TESTING RECOMMENDED FOR VITAMIN LEVELS
1. Ask for your VD-3 level to be checked .. they can get too low. Speak to your Doctor first .. but I took: NATURE MADE brand 5,000 IU of Vitamin D-3 (NOT VD) *From our member @tdrell Terri, my Primary Dr at NJH doubled the VD I take to 4000 units a day... my lab test showed I was at 50 and she said she likes to see it at 100.
2. Ask for your B-12 level to be checked .. they can get too low
3. Personally I always purchase the brand Nature Made vitamins for it's quality .. ' Nature Made is the first brand to earn the USP Verified Mark on one of its products, an independent certification for quality and purity.'

THINGS TO CONSIDER:
• Keep copies of all your lab work
• Keep your x-ray/CT scan films yourself, or consider having them done where they can be put on a CD http://ntminfo.org/files/QuestionsToAskYourDoctor.pdf http://ntminfo.org/index.php

Jump to this post

I have...and that doc was gone as a pro in my arsenal. I settle for only the best...having a bad attitude doesn't qualify

REPLY
Profile picture for Katherine, Alumni Mentor
Katherine, Alumni Mentor | @katemn | Mar 16, 2017
In reply to @katemn "Dear All, This is the question form I use when I see my MAC/Bronchiectasis doctor. This..." + (show)
Profile picture for Katherine, Alumni Mentor @katemn

Dear All,
This is the question form I use when I see my MAC/Bronchiectasis doctor. This is merely the form I put together for myself .. cut/pasted from numerous sources .. use it .. redesign it for your own needs or whatever. You could easily copy/paste/ADD SPACES FOR NOTES/redesign it for your own use. Hope it helps someone! Hugs! Katherine
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Questions to Ask Your Doctor-LUNGS-MAI- Bronchiectasis
DOCTORS’ NAME: PHONE #: FAX #:

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Questions To Ask Your Doctor
DOCTOR: _________________________________SPECIALTY______________________ DATE_______________
1. Where is the MAI/Bronchiectasis located currently? Are there new areas or new changes? At what stage would you say it is on a scale of 1 to 10? How does it compare to my last appointment for each.

2. Are the drugs I am taking currently effective for the two mycobacterium/Bronchiectasis ?
a. Are the dosing level for each medication effective or do they need to be adjusted? b. What period of time before one of the medications can be adjusted or eliminated?

3. Based on the current progress how long would you project that I would me to be on the medications?

4. What monitoring will I continue to need? When will I need my next:
a. Follow up appointments with you? b. X-rays/ CT scans
c. Monthly Lab work
d. Hearing testing
e. Vision testing
f. Monthly salt induced Sputum Cultures (Hypertonic Saline Induced Sputum Culture)

5. How long would you anticipate the side effects of night sweats/sleep disturbance/fatigue/oral thrush/dry mouth/geographic tongue to continue? a. Do you have any suggestions for coping with the less serious side effects?

6. Do you agree with the current Medication Schedule I am following?

7. Do you suggest any other lung clearance devices? How often/when?

8. Can I still take my stated over the counter medicines/vitamins/supplements?

IF SUGGESTED NEW Medication:
a. Spelling of new drug I will be taking
b. dosing level of each new medication
c. what period of time before the next medication
d. how long do you expect me to be on the medications
e. any new monitoring will I need
f. any side effects will I likely to have
g. which side effect should be reported immediately
h. when/how do I take each of these medications/ what schedule should I follow

TESTING RECOMMENDED FOR ANTIBIOTICS:
IMPORTANT! https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/susceptibility/tab/test/
Make sure your Pulmonologist is doing a 'susceptibility panel' IN ADVANCE of going on that particular antibiotic to tell EXACTLY what your MAC will respond to and WHICH one of the few drugs that will work on that particular mycobacterium. This panel is done from a positive sputum culture or lavage of lung. Susceptibility testing is often ordered at the same time as a culture.

Susceptibility Testing for Mycobacteria
http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/interpretive-guide/
http://cid.oxfordjournals.org/content/31/5/1209.full
http://www.mmmig.nl/static/filebank/d073522b5602729078139d641a4cf987/antimicrobial-susceptibility-testing-drug-resistance-mechanisms-and-therapy-of-infections-with-nontuberculous-mycobacteria.pdf
TESTING-baseline and periodic
1. Ethambutol – color vision and visual acuity: GET BASELINE PRIOR TO STARTING .. THEN QUARTERLY
2. Azithromycin – hearing and balance: GET BASELINE PRIOR TO STARTING .. THEN QUARTERLY
3. Rifampin - CBD (blood counts), liver and kidney function tests: GET BASELINE PRIOR TO STARTING .. THEN MONTHLY

OR TESTING:
BASELINE: HEARING AND VISION (Vision: Additional testing for eyes are use of the “eye chart” with letters read at 20 feet, and a red-green color book to distinguish changes in the ability to visualize colors.)
MONTHLY: BLOOD COUNTS, LIVER AND KIDNEY FUNCTION TESTS, SPUTUM CULTURES
QUARTERLY: HEARING and VISION
NOTE: Ethambutol – color vision and visual acuity – monthly ( Additional testing for eyes are use of the “eye chart” with letters read at 20 feet, and a red-green color book to distinguish changes in the ability to visualize colors.)

**** Lab tests:
CBC- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
ALT- Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) LIVER
alk phosphatase- Alkaline Phosphatase - LIVER
serum creatinine-. Creatinine and Creatinine Clearance-SERUM CREATININE - KIDNEY

TESTING-AFTER ANTIBIOTIC TREATMENT ENDS I can ONLY speak for myself about what testing is correct after going off antibiotic treatment. Personally I had quarterly check ups with my doctor including sputum cultures initially .. then as he put the 'puzzle' together based on the results of the sputum culture/Xray/Pulmunary Testing ..deciding when to go to semi annual .. then to annual .. sometimes then back to semi annual. It is ALL up to your GOOD Infectious Disease doctor who is KNOWLEDGEABLE about MAC. But it is my understanding there SHOULD be follow up check ups to CONFIRM that the MAC in your lungs is STILL negative/NOT colonizing. Without CONTINUING checkups (I expect for my life time) we have NO idea if the MAC is colonizing .. OR IF we are still negative! Those nasty critters DON'T disappear .. just lie there in waiting .. that is why it is so important to take good care of ourselves .. eat healthy .. exercise .. stay positive .. be serene! Hope this is helpful. Katherine

TESTING RECOMMENDED FOR VITAMIN LEVELS
1. Ask for your VD-3 level to be checked .. they can get too low. Speak to your Doctor first .. but I took: NATURE MADE brand 5,000 IU of Vitamin D-3 (NOT VD) *From our member @tdrell Terri, my Primary Dr at NJH doubled the VD I take to 4000 units a day... my lab test showed I was at 50 and she said she likes to see it at 100.
2. Ask for your B-12 level to be checked .. they can get too low
3. Personally I always purchase the brand Nature Made vitamins for it's quality .. ' Nature Made is the first brand to earn the USP Verified Mark on one of its products, an independent certification for quality and purity.'

THINGS TO CONSIDER:
• Keep copies of all your lab work
• Keep your x-ray/CT scan films yourself, or consider having them done where they can be put on a CD http://ntminfo.org/files/QuestionsToAskYourDoctor.pdf http://ntminfo.org/index.php

Jump to this post

@boomerexpert, Did you mean this for @tdrell,? Couldn't agree with you more! We need to always remember with the medical field .. WE are the employers .. THEY are the employees! If hey are not compassionate .. forget it! Katherine

REPLY
Profile picture for boomerexpert
boomerexpert | @boomerexpert | Mar 16, 2017
In reply to @katemn "Dear All, This is the question form I use when I see my MAC/Bronchiectasis doctor. This..." + (show)
Profile picture for Katherine, Alumni Mentor @katemn

Dear All,
This is the question form I use when I see my MAC/Bronchiectasis doctor. This is merely the form I put together for myself .. cut/pasted from numerous sources .. use it .. redesign it for your own needs or whatever. You could easily copy/paste/ADD SPACES FOR NOTES/redesign it for your own use. Hope it helps someone! Hugs! Katherine
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Questions to Ask Your Doctor-LUNGS-MAI- Bronchiectasis
DOCTORS’ NAME: PHONE #: FAX #:

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Questions To Ask Your Doctor
DOCTOR: _________________________________SPECIALTY______________________ DATE_______________
1. Where is the MAI/Bronchiectasis located currently? Are there new areas or new changes? At what stage would you say it is on a scale of 1 to 10? How does it compare to my last appointment for each.

2. Are the drugs I am taking currently effective for the two mycobacterium/Bronchiectasis ?
a. Are the dosing level for each medication effective or do they need to be adjusted? b. What period of time before one of the medications can be adjusted or eliminated?

3. Based on the current progress how long would you project that I would me to be on the medications?

4. What monitoring will I continue to need? When will I need my next:
a. Follow up appointments with you? b. X-rays/ CT scans
c. Monthly Lab work
d. Hearing testing
e. Vision testing
f. Monthly salt induced Sputum Cultures (Hypertonic Saline Induced Sputum Culture)

5. How long would you anticipate the side effects of night sweats/sleep disturbance/fatigue/oral thrush/dry mouth/geographic tongue to continue? a. Do you have any suggestions for coping with the less serious side effects?

6. Do you agree with the current Medication Schedule I am following?

7. Do you suggest any other lung clearance devices? How often/when?

8. Can I still take my stated over the counter medicines/vitamins/supplements?

IF SUGGESTED NEW Medication:
a. Spelling of new drug I will be taking
b. dosing level of each new medication
c. what period of time before the next medication
d. how long do you expect me to be on the medications
e. any new monitoring will I need
f. any side effects will I likely to have
g. which side effect should be reported immediately
h. when/how do I take each of these medications/ what schedule should I follow

TESTING RECOMMENDED FOR ANTIBIOTICS:
IMPORTANT! https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/susceptibility/tab/test/
Make sure your Pulmonologist is doing a 'susceptibility panel' IN ADVANCE of going on that particular antibiotic to tell EXACTLY what your MAC will respond to and WHICH one of the few drugs that will work on that particular mycobacterium. This panel is done from a positive sputum culture or lavage of lung. Susceptibility testing is often ordered at the same time as a culture.

Susceptibility Testing for Mycobacteria
http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/interpretive-guide/
http://cid.oxfordjournals.org/content/31/5/1209.full
http://www.mmmig.nl/static/filebank/d073522b5602729078139d641a4cf987/antimicrobial-susceptibility-testing-drug-resistance-mechanisms-and-therapy-of-infections-with-nontuberculous-mycobacteria.pdf
TESTING-baseline and periodic
1. Ethambutol – color vision and visual acuity: GET BASELINE PRIOR TO STARTING .. THEN QUARTERLY
2. Azithromycin – hearing and balance: GET BASELINE PRIOR TO STARTING .. THEN QUARTERLY
3. Rifampin - CBD (blood counts), liver and kidney function tests: GET BASELINE PRIOR TO STARTING .. THEN MONTHLY

OR TESTING:
BASELINE: HEARING AND VISION (Vision: Additional testing for eyes are use of the “eye chart” with letters read at 20 feet, and a red-green color book to distinguish changes in the ability to visualize colors.)
MONTHLY: BLOOD COUNTS, LIVER AND KIDNEY FUNCTION TESTS, SPUTUM CULTURES
QUARTERLY: HEARING and VISION
NOTE: Ethambutol – color vision and visual acuity – monthly ( Additional testing for eyes are use of the “eye chart” with letters read at 20 feet, and a red-green color book to distinguish changes in the ability to visualize colors.)

**** Lab tests:
CBC- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
ALT- Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) LIVER
alk phosphatase- Alkaline Phosphatase - LIVER
serum creatinine-. Creatinine and Creatinine Clearance-SERUM CREATININE - KIDNEY

TESTING-AFTER ANTIBIOTIC TREATMENT ENDS I can ONLY speak for myself about what testing is correct after going off antibiotic treatment. Personally I had quarterly check ups with my doctor including sputum cultures initially .. then as he put the 'puzzle' together based on the results of the sputum culture/Xray/Pulmunary Testing ..deciding when to go to semi annual .. then to annual .. sometimes then back to semi annual. It is ALL up to your GOOD Infectious Disease doctor who is KNOWLEDGEABLE about MAC. But it is my understanding there SHOULD be follow up check ups to CONFIRM that the MAC in your lungs is STILL negative/NOT colonizing. Without CONTINUING checkups (I expect for my life time) we have NO idea if the MAC is colonizing .. OR IF we are still negative! Those nasty critters DON'T disappear .. just lie there in waiting .. that is why it is so important to take good care of ourselves .. eat healthy .. exercise .. stay positive .. be serene! Hope this is helpful. Katherine

TESTING RECOMMENDED FOR VITAMIN LEVELS
1. Ask for your VD-3 level to be checked .. they can get too low. Speak to your Doctor first .. but I took: NATURE MADE brand 5,000 IU of Vitamin D-3 (NOT VD) *From our member @tdrell Terri, my Primary Dr at NJH doubled the VD I take to 4000 units a day... my lab test showed I was at 50 and she said she likes to see it at 100.
2. Ask for your B-12 level to be checked .. they can get too low
3. Personally I always purchase the brand Nature Made vitamins for it's quality .. ' Nature Made is the first brand to earn the USP Verified Mark on one of its products, an independent certification for quality and purity.'

THINGS TO CONSIDER:
• Keep copies of all your lab work
• Keep your x-ray/CT scan films yourself, or consider having them done where they can be put on a CD http://ntminfo.org/files/QuestionsToAskYourDoctor.pdf http://ntminfo.org/index.php

Jump to this post

Meant as a general response to bad doctoring

REPLY
Profile picture for mari
mari | @mari | Mar 16, 2017
In reply to @katemn "@jillnc .. Jill, thanks for the clarification .. interesting that they don't even TREAT Respiratory Syncytial..." + (show)
Profile picture for Katherine, Alumni Mentor @katemn

@jillnc .. Jill, thanks for the clarification .. interesting that they don't even TREAT Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in adults! How on earth are we supposed to "diagnose" ourselves between Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and a more serious virus or whatever?! I would think you did the wise thing is seeking medical care with your other health issues .. better safe than sorry I would feel for myself! Thanks for explaining! Hugs! Katherine

Jump to this post

When my Mom was in Banner Del Webb hospital in Sun City West, AZ almost every person that attended to her, pulled her hair back, I reported Many times, Admin would not bother w it. Then I thought i would report to her Dr. and he touched his forehead 4 a long time - I thought I give up.Also, have u seen medicals drop gloves - pick them up off the floor and just keep going? I have.<br>Mari<br><br>

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.