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@gaelawree

Hello group, my name is GaeLawree, I was just diagnosed with Mycobacteria Avium Complex (MAC), I haven’t started treatment yet, appt with doc next week. I am 66 & have had shortness of breath for a few years. I was diagnosed with COPD & got progressively worse. I had to really push to get doctors to find the MAC. I don’t seem to have other problems. I am active as much as I can be. I have horses & ride three times a week & I like gardening. I have a stationary bike to ride too. This diagnosis gave me hope of getting over this but as I researched it I got worried, I’m worried about the long term antibiotics. I have hypothyroidism & Hoshimoto’s & went through a 9 month protocol & got that under control. Now I think the treatment for MAC will really mess that all up. I have read a lot of previous posts & learning a lot. I am glad I found this group because I think this treatment is going to be tough.

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Replies to "Hello group, my name is GaeLawree, I was just diagnosed with Mycobacteria Avium Complex (MAC), I..."

@karensarasota My apologies Karen. I certainly do understand your point about your emails getting jambed with non-sense. (You couldn't know this) I wasn't going to continue the discussion about art, or get off-course of our focus for mac & bronchiectasis. It was a brief reprieve to show the group that one can still enjoy life through hobbies when energy is at a minimum. Loss of an active life is depressing to many of us in this group. I will respect the space and put any further off-topic posts in the now designated spot. Thank you for commenting; that's how we make improvements!

@irene5 Thank you Irene, that was my intention. I would love it if others would share some personal pics etc. on the designated Discussion thread 'We are more than our disease'.

@colleenyoung Thank you Colleen, that is an excellent idea. I totally understand what Karen said, I wouldn't want to wade through off-topic items on a medical site either. It could also be easy for personal/off topic posts to get out of hand.

@windwalker ....terri....I agree with all your commentary....whether it be discussion of your art/horses/conditions etc. You have shared with our group your multiple physical conditions and the challenges ( and your empathetic thorough helpful teaching and input re all of our questions and thoughts)....to read about your creativity and interests for me was 100% delightful and inspirational. Yes, inspite of all the physical challenges and debilitations we have, there are the bright spots! Again thank you for accepting the challenging voluntary challenge of being our mentor...a huge cyber hug. Tdrell

@nick52 hi Nick, yes I do know about the horse pulmonary disease, it’s called Heaves.
I do wear my mask when working around the horses.
I saw my doctor for beginning the treatment. He said I do have bronchiectasis. I’m doing the three antibiotics introducing them slowly to tolerate the introduction of each one. Also a nebulizer with albuterol, a Acapella valve & two postural drainage positions, all to do three times a day. I will be monitored routinely with blood work, EKG’s & audiograms & visión tests. Sounds like a lot of work but I’m so happy there is a treatment.

@windwalker Hi Terri, I am sorry to have been the subject of controversy on this site, my apologies to Karen.
I saw my doctor yesterday. I do have bronchiectasis. I will be starting the three antibiotics slowly introducing each one to see if I tolerate them. Also I will be using a nebulizer with albuterol & a Acapella valve three times a day followed by two postural drainage positions.

@gaelawree - You mentioned in your post about "two postural drainage positions." I've never heard of that before. Can you explain what they are? Also, no need to be sorry. With so many people following this forum, there is no way to keep everyone happy. Linda

@lindam272 Hi Linda, thanks.
I’m posting the photo I was given to explain visually. I am to do these positions for five minutes two to three times a day.

@lindam272 these positions are to induce coughing to help clear the mucus.

Thank you!