Please Share your MAC and Bronch Success Stories - However Small

I did a little searching, and here is what I learned:
Adverse effects on the lungs are not reported anywhere that I can find. It is widely prescribed for people with Cystic Fibrosis, and more recently Bronchiectasis. It works by drawing moisture into the lungs, thinning the sticky mucus which harbors bacteria so it can be coughed out.

It may cause temporary bronchospasm in some people with asthma. When it happened to me, I was advised to use it mixed 50/50 with normal saline (.9%) for a week, then try again at full strength - no further issues.

Hypertonic saline nebs are sometimes even used on infants under 2 years with bronchiolitis to help bring up mucus, so I think that speaks to the safety of use.

There has been some testing done to determine whether it acts on viruses. The study concluded that it didn't have any effect on the duration of viral illness.

There have been studies showing that the higher levels of hypertonic saline immobilize NTM in a culture medium. Specifically, all common types except M abscessus were reduced by hypertonic saline of 3 - 7%. I have not seen studies evaluating the effects on NTM in the lungs.

Hypertonic saline can irritate the throat, especially at first. Gargling with plain water after nebbing has worked for me.

Does this answer your question?

So glad to hear about your success story! Can you say more about medical grade shoer heads? Where do you buy them? What brand did you get?

I used the information in Dr. Falkinham’s Reducing Exposure. I contacted Mary Jo Benak at mj.benak@aqua-tools.com. I had to order a box of 10 but so far the first one is lasting over two months and I expect it to go go three or more. The total cost for all 10 with shipping was $512. The shower head just screwed into our existing handheld hose. I think I was the first individual customer-normally they sell only to hospitals. I was worried about low pressure and low flow but it works great. I still am careful in the shower not to let it get too hot and steamy. Also based on Dr. Falkinham’s info we turned our hot water heater up to 135 degrees. I keep signs posted in all the bathrooms warning visitors that it is hot.

Interesting. I was on Azithro, Rifabin, and ethanbutol for 18 months finished two years ago. M.intercellular was killed.😀However the cavity was not closed and I became very ill with m. Abscessis in June Now on daily IV’s of Amikacin, Nuzyra and Imipenem as well as oral Clogazamine all for 6 months. Will have surgery at NJH in Denver to remove cavity in October. This is tough. Has anyone else gone through this treatment? I’m trying to stay positive and I am thankful for my doctor at NJH for knowing how to handle this awful disease.

Hydrang3a…by any chance do you know the measurement of your cavity? I ask because…presently off the cocktail of big 3 after 6 mths because of side effects. However it seems my cavity grew 6-7-8 mm now after 11 months. NJH was okay me going off meds for now because my bronchiectasis is mild, & I am asymptomatic except for occasional fatigue, SOB, or pain in ribs…I have no sputum to produce any cultures to lab. My ID doc is concerned about cavity growing. What did NJH pose to you as requirement size to remove the cavity? I repeat Scan this Nov. to remeasure size and thus begins the doctors debate. Anyone else with cavity size information or procedure?Thanks
Regina

P.S. could not be more proud of this amazing group of health/diet warriors👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Good idea putting up the caution signs! We also have a limiter on the handle of the guest shower, to keep it from being turned on too hot. And my little grandsons are closely monitored in the bath & when washing hands. The "upside" is the very hot water in the washer is great for sanitizing bed linens, towels and kitchen linens.
Sue

@cmi…don’t remember my cavity size….my surgery to remove it was postponed 3 years ago…after 18 months of the big 3 and negative cultures and feeling well…..however looking back on it all I wish I had had the surgery then as opposed to getting terribly sick now needing 6 months of multiple daily IV antibiotics and surgery next month to remove it. The problem with cavities is they attract and are breeding ground for microbacteria….you may be lucky and never get sick but I still have no idea how I got another bug….I was super healthy super careful, didn’t drink, smoke or stay up late….I hardly went anywhere because of Covid, got my vaccines early in Dec and Jan……I really think cavities are Microbacterium magnets and no matter how healthy or good I was ….these bad bugs found me. Hope they don’t find you.

I used the information in Dr. Falkinham’s Reducing Exposure. I contacted Mary Jo Benak at mj.benak@aqua-tools.com. I had to order a box of 10 but so far the first one is lasting over two months and I expect it to go go three or more. The total cost for all 10 with shipping was $512. The shower head just screwed into our existing handheld hose. I think I was the first individual customer-normally they sell only to hospitals. I was worried about low pressure and low flow but it works great. I still am careful in the shower not to let it get too hot and steamy. Also based on Dr. Falkinham’s info we turned our hot water heater up to 135 degrees. I keep signs posted in all the bathrooms warning visitors that it is hot.

Good idea putting up the caution signs! We also have a limiter on the handle of the guest shower, to keep it from being turned on too hot. And my little grandsons are closely monitored in the bath & when washing hands. The "upside" is the very hot water in the washer is great for sanitizing bed linens, towels and kitchen linens.
Sue