MAC is an infectious disease that needs a susceptible host. I think the connection between the two might be the fact that some autoimmune diseases (ex.sarcoid) have a possible correlation to certain environmental factors which is the common denominator between MAC and autoimmune disease. Interestingly, my husband who has sarcoid had a finger ganglion cyst and I (MAC) have chronic sinus infections. And the plot sickens! 🙂 Irene

Yes sinus infections and a constant stuffy nose, especially on the right side. Allergies all my life. Carpel tunnel operations on both hands. Will be interesting if these are all related.

<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>Thanks so I want to make sure I understand, if the auto-immune disease was not diagnosed prior to the MAC diagnosis so I was not taking corticosteroids to suppress<br> the immune system, with the exception of 5 days when I have a sinus infection, 2-4 times a year, then it would not be related. It would actually be the treatment with immunosuppressant drugs that help the MAC take host. It would not be that people who are<br> pro to auto-immune disease or have one or more are more likely to have MAC if said disease is not being treated with immunosuppressant therapy.Am I understanding correctly? Sorry my headache is splitting so I am dense today, but it is better than this morning.<br> I appreciate your help.<br> <br><br><br>

<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>Thanks for responding Irene, I am still trying to figure all of this out. Maybe we should keep a list of “unrelated” ailments that we all have in common. It<br> is so great to have you guys, all I could imagine was that nothing had changed and I would go through a repeat of what I watched my mother and aunt go through, but everyone seems vibrant and there seems to be hope and new treatments. Seems like the immune<br> system is totally confused, it is busy attacking itself so it ignores what it should be attacking. And like someone said before, did the chicken come first or the egg? Guess that is my question. We have one really great researcher and I am going to set him<br> to the issue, he works on immunity. He travels so much, but he will show up again and I will corner him.<br><br> <br><br><br>

That is certainly a possibility, but there are a lot of things that can predispose a person to MAC. (Ex. Curvatures of the spine and that connection to the lungs and consequent inability to expectorate adequately thus encouraging a breeding ground for those critters.) So sorry about your head! Feel better. Irene

Hello. I was born immunodeficient. Had rheumatic fever at age four. I believe that is why I have been suseptable to MAC and pseudomonas. Plus have had bad case of Vally Fever that I caught when I moved to Arizona.

@lbigboy, Hi Linda, truth is I don't think ANYONE really knows EXACTLY how/where/when ANY of us developed MAC and/or Bronchiectasis .. Dr. Aksamit called the two of them chicken/egg .. who knows which came first. As to your other issues .. WHO truthfully can pin down exactly if/when they MIGHT be related to any of those other issues?? I have always had my suspicions re some of my own issues .. and at least Terri on our Forum had it confirmed at JNH that GERD can be a contributing factor to MAC. Some of our supportive Members have jumped in for you with their experiences/thoughts .. BUT I think we can drive ourselves crazy trying to figure out the "unfigured outables"! Give some thought to the train of thought that it might be more productive to put our energies into what we can control .. which is try to live as healthily as possible .. be as serene as possible .. and let go of what we CANNOT CONTROL .. the Outcome .. which is the MAC and Bronchietasis outcome.

That some of our various additional side medical issues will be researched in the future to see if/how they relate to MAC/Bronchiectasis .. unfortunately not perhaps even in our lifetimes. That if we "let go" it will lead to a much happier and serene life .. I hope this helps a bit Linda .. sending you a hug in this tough time. I know it is hard to let go of "figuring it out" .. but believe me .. in the "big picture" it really doesn't matter because even our doctors don't have all these answers! .. finding peace is much more important to our journey in my humble opinion. Katherine

Totally agree with that! When I find myself saying "Well, maybe it was this or maybe it was that" - I then just say to myself "Stop it! Stop it right now!" 🙂 Irene

@irene5, you are so smart and funny too! Reading your posts are really uplifting and light hearted. "And the plot sickens! " I actually laughted outloud then had a spontanious coughing fit as onething seems to lead to another. So thank you for helping me clear my lungs! Hope you have a great day!
Becky

My pleasure!:)