I developed a persistent cough in 2018 that would not go away. It was to the point that I could hardly carry on a conversation without coughing. After my medical doctor ordered a CT scan of my chest I ended up seeing a pulmonologist. He felt sure from viewing my CT that I had MAC. I had a bronchoscopy and he performed cultures/washings and it did not show MAC positive. He began me on the nebulizer with 3% saline and I had little production. He then ordered the percussion vest which does help immensely. From this wonderful forum I learned about 7% saline and have been using it for about 9 months now. I use 7% in the morning and 3% in the afternoon. I have to buy the 7% myself as the doc will not prescribe it saying it may cause bronchospasm. I have printed out information from this site to take to him on my next visit about the 7% saline results. Using the 7% saline helps me feel that at least I am keeping the MAC at bay by creating a hostile environment. I just wondered if my chest xray appearance of the bronchiectasis presents differently from my friend since she does not nebulize. I guess I just assumed that nebulizing and bronchiectasis goes hand in hand.

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