(MAC/MAI) Mycobacterium Avium Complex Pulmonary Disease: Join us

Posted by Katherine, Alumni Mentor @katemn, Nov 21, 2011

I am new to Mayo online .. I was hoping to find others with .. MYCOBACTERIUM AVIUM COMPLEX PULMONARY DISEASE (MAC/MAI) and/or BRONCHIECTASIS. I found only 1 thread on mycobacterium accidently under the catagory "Lungs". I'm hoping by starting a subject matter directly related to MYCOBACTERIUM AVIUM COMPLEX PULMONARY DISEASE (MAC/MAI) I may find others out there!

I was diagnosed by a sputum culture August 2007 (but the culture result was accidentally misfiled until 2008!) with MYCOBACTERIUM AVIUM COMPLEX PULMONARY DISEASE (MAC/MAI) and BRONCHIECTASIS. I am now on 5 antibiotics. Working with Dr. Timothy Aksamit at Rochester Mayo Clinic .. he is a saint to have put up with me this long! I was terrified of the treatment . started the first antibiotic September 3, 2011 ... am now on all 5 antibiotics for 18 mos to 2 years. Am delighted at the very bearable side effects!

I wrote on the 1 thread I found: If you google NON-TUBERCULOUS MYCOBACTERIUM AVIUM COMPLEX PULMONARY DISEASE (MAC/MAI) you will learn a LOT about the disease. But PLEASE do NOT get scared about all the things you read .. that is what I did and nearly refused to do the treatment until after a 2nd Micomacterium was discovered! Educate yourself for "due diligence" .. but take it all with a grain of salt .. you are NOT necessarily going to have all the terrible side effects of the antibiotics! Good luck to you!

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January 2017 Update

One of our great Connect Members .. @Paula_MAC2007  .. had a wonderfully helpful idea that I wanted to share! Her idea .. as you read through the pages to gather information on our shared disease of MAC you can develop a personal "file cabinet" for future reference without the necessity of reading all the pages again!

If you have the "MS Word" program on your computer:
- Document Title Example:  Mayo Clinic Connect MAI/MAC Information
- Then develop different categories that make sense to you such as:  Heath Aids .. Videos .. Healthy Living .. Positive Thinking .. Baseline Testing and Regular Testing .. Antibiotics ..
Tips for
- As you read the pages .. copy/paste/save things of interest into that MS Word document under your preferred categories for future reference.

Then as you want to refer back to something in the future .. YEAH!  You have now created your own personal "file cabinet" on MAC/MAI!  Go to it!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the MAC & Bronchiectasis Support Group.

@boomerexpert

Call for comments to the FDA! https://www.bronchiectasisandntminitiative.org/BronchandNTM360social/Community-Discussions/Blog/Article/64/The-FDA-NEEDS-to-Hear-from-You
Here's what I emailed to the bunch of em' listed (using the guidelines given at the site above):

"I have bronchiatisis and MAC (and RA…but who’s counting…). Current treatment for bronch (and MAC) is grueling, toxic to the system, and very old school (piling on more heavy antibiotics as what the medical community has currently doesn’t work well anymore…).

I understand you have refused to approve Linhaliq (I am not associated with Aradigm), an inhaled version of ciprofloxacin that has already undergone several clinical trials. Something that could work far better without toxically engaging the rest of my system in treatment (as is the case w/current oral treatments – nausea; extreme fatigue, significant weight loss), and I understand you won’t approve it for reasons such as:
• concern over antibiotic resistance over time (do you think that won’t happen with current treatment protocol?)
• the question wasn’t posed properly (you’d approve for reduction in frequency of exacerbations vs. prolonging initial onset)
• time to first exacerbation is not considered the most appropriate outcome for the bronchiectasis population as it may not adequately reflect whether patients truly do better and feel better on the new treatment (a treatment that extends the time before first exacerbation would be very welcome….we’ll be happy to partake in another clinical trial to prove that with it we can stay well longer).
This shows a significant lack of patient focus, since we need something better than the current treatment devised 25 years ago…and we don’t care in which way it works best, we care that it’s been shown to work.

I, as one of the millions of us w/bronch (many like me with MAC as well)…and the number is growing exponentially…have watched as little meaningful research is done to devise 21st century treatments (that we know can be easily created with just the will to do so) while losing lung function, and getting sicker rather than better (given the current treatment is as bad as the infection). I implore you to reconsider, and do whatever it takes to get us something – this year - that works better than a decades’ old treatment. As I’m sure you hear daily, our lives are literally counting on it.

Thank you.
Terri Benincasa"

Hope all will write...comment period closes Friday.

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@luvocean.....this is a long shot,,,,call main number of National Jewish Health at 1-8772255654 and ask for Pharmacy....tdrell

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@windy935

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.

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@nick52 , Hi Nicole. I am greatly improved, thank you for asking. The 'hinge' of my jaw hurts as does the extraction site, but only minimally. I have been doing the tmj exercises to strengthen the jaw muscles. I would love to come down and visit you! I can throw two bikes on the rack and come down. You are only 3 1/2 hours south of us.

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@windy935

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.

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@nick52, Nicole, you are welcome to come up amd see us as well. Have nice guest room and extra bikes. Beaches 15 min away.

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@windy935

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.

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@windwalker how far are you from the 95?  We go back home on that route!

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@windy935

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.

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@windwalker this is an excellent idea!  We are 4 bikes 2 new and 2 old ones.

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@windy935

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.

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I'm excited to see that long-time Connect members may get a chance to meet offline. Just a gentle reminder that Connect is a public site. I recommend sharing details about locations and where you live and plan to meet be shared by private message.

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@boomerexpert

Call for comments to the FDA! https://www.bronchiectasisandntminitiative.org/BronchandNTM360social/Community-Discussions/Blog/Article/64/The-FDA-NEEDS-to-Hear-from-You
Here's what I emailed to the bunch of em' listed (using the guidelines given at the site above):

"I have bronchiatisis and MAC (and RA…but who’s counting…). Current treatment for bronch (and MAC) is grueling, toxic to the system, and very old school (piling on more heavy antibiotics as what the medical community has currently doesn’t work well anymore…).

I understand you have refused to approve Linhaliq (I am not associated with Aradigm), an inhaled version of ciprofloxacin that has already undergone several clinical trials. Something that could work far better without toxically engaging the rest of my system in treatment (as is the case w/current oral treatments – nausea; extreme fatigue, significant weight loss), and I understand you won’t approve it for reasons such as:
• concern over antibiotic resistance over time (do you think that won’t happen with current treatment protocol?)
• the question wasn’t posed properly (you’d approve for reduction in frequency of exacerbations vs. prolonging initial onset)
• time to first exacerbation is not considered the most appropriate outcome for the bronchiectasis population as it may not adequately reflect whether patients truly do better and feel better on the new treatment (a treatment that extends the time before first exacerbation would be very welcome….we’ll be happy to partake in another clinical trial to prove that with it we can stay well longer).
This shows a significant lack of patient focus, since we need something better than the current treatment devised 25 years ago…and we don’t care in which way it works best, we care that it’s been shown to work.

I, as one of the millions of us w/bronch (many like me with MAC as well)…and the number is growing exponentially…have watched as little meaningful research is done to devise 21st century treatments (that we know can be easily created with just the will to do so) while losing lung function, and getting sicker rather than better (given the current treatment is as bad as the infection). I implore you to reconsider, and do whatever it takes to get us something – this year - that works better than a decades’ old treatment. As I’m sure you hear daily, our lives are literally counting on it.

Thank you.
Terri Benincasa"

Hope all will write...comment period closes Friday.

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My medication (used for inhalation therapy) is called amikacin sulfate injection USP for intramuscular or intravenous use. If you cannot obtain it from a local pharmacy, you may want to try surgical supply facilities. I know that CIGNA home pharmacy carries it but you must connect with their medical, specialty pharmacy department. Terry

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To those who are using Ridgecrest ClearLungs - Did you notice a gradual decrease in mucous over a period of time or an immediate result? I just started using it a couple of weeks ago taking 2 capsules every 4 hours most days and haven't seen any change in my level of mucous so I'm curious. Thanks so much! Linda

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Also, just received this from NTM Info and Research. You can go to their website for all the links and more info:

2018 NTM & Bronchiectasis Physician/Patient Conference

When
Thursday, May 17, 2018 from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM PDT
Add to Calendar

Where
Estancia La Jolla Hotel
9700 N Torrey Pines Rd
La Jolla, CA 92037
Driving Directions

Registration is now open for the 2018 NTM & Bronchiectasis Physician/Patient Conference!

We hope to see you at the Estancia La Jolla Hotel on Thursday, May 17th, 2018.

Get more information

Register Now!

Book a room at the Estancia La Jolla

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and NTM Info & Research. The University of California, San Diego School of Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of California, San Diego School of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 4.75 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Please click here for additional CME accrediting and course information.
To view the conference agenda, click here.
To view the list of faculty and planning committee, click here.

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And this yesterday - This is a town hall that you can participate in by phone:

Dear Community Members,

We are excited to announce our second Town Hall teleconference: A Dive into Bronchiectasis and NTM! This event will take place via teleconference on Monday, March 5, 2018 from 2pm to 3pm EST, with expert speaker Dr. Tim Aksamit from the Mayo Clinic. This is a unique opportunity for community members to learn about exacerbations, treatments and comorbid issues as well as to ask an expert questions surrounding issues with chronic lung conditions. Click here to learn more about this event, including how you can register to participate for free.

If you missed the first Town Hall teleconference (Bronchiectasis and NTM 101) with Dr. Kevin Winthrop, the recording is now available on BronchandNTM360social. Click here to access it.

Not a member of BronchandNTM360social yet? BronchandNTM360social is an online community for individuals affected by Bronchiectasis and/or NTM, including patients, family members, caregivers, physicians and other healthcare providers. It serves as an online home for community members and provides a comfortable venue to share thoughts and ideas, ask questions, start discussions, read and comment on blogs, and communicate with peers, thought leaders and community managers. We encourage you to sign up today!

Lastly, if you have a lung infection due to NTM (Nontuberculous Mycobacteria) such as MAC (Mycobacterium Avium Complex) - Ashfield Healthcare would like to speak to you! Ashfield Healthcare will be conducting 60-minute telephone interviews as part of an important market research initiative to understand your condition and how you take your treatments. If you are interested in participating or learning more about this opportunity, please contact David Pascual at David@just-worldwide.com or 1 (609) 955-2128. If eligible for this market research, you can complete this interview from home and you will be compensated for your time following the discussion.

Questions? Email info@bronchiectasisandNTMinitiative.org.

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