Glad you've chosen to join us!

Given that bronchs are the gold standard for accurate dx, I'm glad my doc went to it directly, and highly recommend this effective and expedited approach for all wondering if MAC is evident...

Love the work being done in the UK on inhaled Cipro. Of course, great research can be found in the UK, not the US...to all who deride socialized medicine (which BTW, universal healthcare in the US would not be socialized...docs/hospitals remain private, not government run), that's what allows the UK to be so far ahead of us on research...

Yes I am the same I have had months of clear sputums but I am pretty sure that the MAC is still there so have had a bronch, will get results in a few weeks.

@boomerexpert, according to @windwalker Terri who attended the most recent conference .. bronchoscopies (which are more invasive) are NOT the current "gold standard" for accurate initial diagnosis. At the most recent conference they stated: "Ideally three of them on consecutive mornings according to the experts at the conference. (can take two yourself at home two days prior to appt, keep refrigerated until appt for the third) The Drs at the conference want to make this a standard procedure for culturing MAC in the future. @boomerexpert, I was happy that @windwalker Terri attended this recent conference and brought back the most recent thinking on accurate initial diagnosis. Obviously for those unable to produce sputum .. other steps must be taken. Katherine

@heathert, Heather, when you say "clear sputum" .. do you mean your sputum cultures have come back as "Negative" .. no growth on your Sputum Culture Reports? I am curious .. because when the sputum is produced it depends upon what part of the lung it comes from as to just what "color" it will be. Frequently mine is "clear" but for SURE those darn mycobacterium are still in there .. just not colonizing at this point and time. It will be interesting to see what the bronchoscopy show! Let us know. And if your Sputum Culture Reports showed something that indicated you should have a Bronchoscopy? Just curious. Hugs! Katherine

Just wondering if the sputum is green does that always mean that there is definitely active NTM? Would it make a difference if green intermittently versus consistently? Thank you as always. Terry

I will respectfully disagree with this particular set of docs. Thus far, the compilation of research shows that the best way to determine not just the existence of an NTM but the specific type (of the thousands they now know exist) to determine more accurate treatment, is a bronch. I'm glad my doc did one immediately rather than waiting for the whole sputum thing which can be inconclusive at worst, less informative at best, to learn more quickly of my dx. As it takes mycobacteria up to 2 months to grow in the lab, waiting that long for sputum results without then knowing the specific strain seems to me a waste of valuable time.

And @boomerexpert, I respectfully disagree with you since Dr. Timothy Aksamit of Mayo Clinic, Rochester Mn has used successfully the Sputum Culture process .. UNLESS a patient is unable to produce sputum .. WHY? Because mycobacterium does NOT grow within our lungs that quickly. The process of a bronchoscopy is an invasive surgical procedure requiring anesthesia. Research shows varying degrees of danger for older people with anesthesia. "Research paints a complex picture of how surgery and anesthesia might harm the brain, particularly for older patients." Anesthesia and the Elderly Brain - Scientific American
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/anesthesia-and-the-elderly-brain/
Personally I will continue to agree with Dr. Timothy Aksamit of Mayo Clinic, Rochester Mn and less invasive diagnosis. Katherine

@128128terry11t Terry, do you have Bronchiectasis as well as MAC? Hugs! Katherine