My name is Mariah and I have lived with myobacterium avian and bronchiectasis since 2011--and probably a number of years before then. As some have noted, it was a constant cough that took me to my internal medicine doctor who sent me for a lung x-ray. She thought it was pneumonia and so I started on 10 days of an antibiotic. The x-ray was repeated in 6 weeks--no change. So I had an MRI--I was afraid it might be lung cancer, but my internist assured me that the findings did not fit that of lung cancer. My pulmonologist reviewed the various treatments for MAC and I decided to wait. But, after a year and the symptoms becoming worse I started on the 15 month 3-drug regimen to which I was very faithful although I disliked some of the side effects.

I am now living with bronchiectasis and have seen lung function decline although the tests seem to reveal I am doing okay. Last summer we visited Yosemite and Sequoia. The elevation was very difficult for me--the first time that has occurred. I know my tolerance for exercise is much less, but I persist in walking daily, yoga, etc.

I am happy to be in touch with others who have MAC and know it occurs more in women than in men.