Sutton, how do they test you to know if you are positive or negative to the MAC

I had a bronchoscopy done in the hospital. They can do a sputum test but it's not as accurate. I think if the sputum test is positive for MAC that's all they need but if it negative, they like to make sure with a bronchoscopy.

Dear Sutton,
I had sputum test which was negative! I have a broncho this friday. This is how they found out that I had a MAC by a lab analysis when I had a bronco. I have no symptom other than coffin sputum once and a while specially after a meal. I don't under why every one seem to be on antibiotics who has a Mac. I do not take antibiotic because my MAC specialist said there is a lot of secondary effect and they use that only as a last ressource. He says if my symptom gets worst and I have breathing problem then we will have to consider taking it. From what I read is everyone is put on antibiotics on this site and i wonder if it is because they all have secere symptom. I do not take antibiotic but my specialist recommended a professional probiotique. So I take Clear lungs 1 to 2 cap a day and 2 professional probiotic a day. I am doing really good with that. I have hardly sputum now and no synptoms.
I have another questions! When you have your ctscan do they see "tree in bud appearances" and nodules?
This might sound as a stupid questions but I wonder if everyone with a MAC has those. I have all my reports so I can read what they found. Thank you for your collaborations!

Sorry - coughing

A good rule of thumb I have found is to be treated because later is not always a good choice. It is better to be treated when you are "younger and healthier" than older and not so well. I wondered that as well. I don't wonder anymore. I learned the hard way! 

If you positively have MAC, the only treatment is antibiotics. I would not hesitate because it will only get worse not better. There may be remedies that make you feel better but believe me, no other cure. The antibiotics are not that bad. I had no side effects at all and I've been taking them for 7 years (except rifampin). I also had tree in bud and nodules. If the broncho is negative for MAC, then you're probably OK and don't need anything.

Suttonmac: Are you taking the antibiotics for 7 years because you never cultured negative?

I was tested positive for MAC 3 years ago but have never been on the 3 big drugs that most people on this forum have taken. I do have a lot of mucus but no other problems. No shortness of breath or other symptoms of decreased lung function. The excessive mucus is pretty much due to bronchiectasis that I'm also diagnosed with. I was given an option to be on long-term antibiotics and was also warned the possibility of the drugs' long-term effect on my other organs. I chose not to take them. I suppose everybody has a different situations and physical conditions so they all need to make decisions that best suit them. I suppose if you are still tested positive for MAC but don't have bronchiectasis, you could consider taking these antibiotics for a short period of time to clear that up and get off once the test results come back negative. If you also have bronchiectasis, bear in mind that it is incurable although manageable. Taking antibiotics long term will not help with bronchiectasis. However, bronchiectasis can make you vulnerable for catching infections including MAC.

On My CT there were tree-bud and nodules.  I am not familiar with Clear Lung

Jo Ann

Have you had a bronchoscopy to confirm it is negative?