Yes, the only meds I was taking was for the MAC. I had a hard time tolerating the MAC meds, my doctor cut me back as much as was recommended and then when the Liver count was so high he stated that if I had to go back on the meds it would be best if CDC monitored it the next time around. The ganglion's appeared after I began the meds on three different fingers.

<br><br><br><br><br>Katherine is absolutely right. I adhere to a healthy lifestyle, exercise, <br>pay attention to nutrition, don't stress, follow doctor's treatment plan to a <br>tee. Here lately, I do not even think about MAC. I live like I am perfectly <br>fine. It is good to learn all that you can about your disease, just don't let it <br>consume you. Terri M.<br> <br><br>

<br><br><br><br><br>This was an interesting read. Thank you.<br> <br><br>

Thank you Katherine for your response. You are totally right regarding letting go of what we cannot control. My husband and I chose JOY in the midst of our circumstances. Linda

Thank you Irene for your response. It helps to know that others have similar issues and what the diagnosis are. I have an open ganglion that i am trying to get treatment for and with the ganglion diagnosis only, the insurance won't allow treatment. Have a blessed day! Linda

@lbigboy, Linda I just LOVE that! "My husband and I chose JOY in the midst of our circumstances." You are way ahead of my husband and I .. all we can get to is DENIAL .. that has worked well for us .. but MAN .. JOY is SO much better .. good for you! YEAH! I am going to work on that .. I really like that! I am a positive person but have never looked at it that way .. kinda tough in some of life circumstances .. BUT something to work towards .. thanks for the thought! Hugs! Katherine

Hard to operate with a splitting headache for sure. Simply put: Folks with autoimmune disorders, & folks taking drugs that suppress the immune system (like chemo, and drugs for RA) I believe to be the most likely to acquire a MAC infection (for these folks, it's considered an opportunistic infection). However, in the past few years, folks with healthy immune systems have joined our little club (aren't they happy....) so MAC now, officially, impacts anyone anywhere, regardless of immune status.

Boomer, you'd think that soon, MAC would get more attention and research money now that REGULAR people are getting it! It would be so interesting to know what the real numbers are. I wonder since it is very different for everyone, (cavities and nodules are SO different) if it isn't many different diseases, and they just don't know yet. I still believe if all were right, they could cure NON Tubercular Mycobacterium like they did Tuberculosis. TB was more important to cure due to being contagious. If MAC was found to be contagious would they find a cure? I sort of think so!!Thanks for listening.Kay S

I agree kaystrand. MAC isnt even on the top 12 bacteria that needs to find new antibiotics for, we need to get it on that list!Wish I knew what to do about this except getting the word out. I do wonder if the cavities are caused by reflux and then the bugs get in.Hopefully we will get more information quicker now katherine has started this fantastic forum. Most of us have had reflux and nose problems, I wonder if the docs even know this.

It's categorized as an infectious disease meaning it's transmittable...b/c it's not a human to human transmission it's considered less dangerous...that's what we must work to change.