1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

(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!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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.

Mentor
Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor | @windwalker | May 21, 2018
In reply to @gaelawree "Hello group, my name is GaeLawree, I was just diagnosed with Mycobacteria Avium Complex (MAC), I..." + (show)
@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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@gaelawree Hi. You can always call your doctor and ask for a review of your ct scans. I had a ct scan in 2001 and it showed that I had bronchiectasis and it was entered into the notes in my patient file. They never mentioned it to me! It wasn't until I had my medical records sent to the Mayo in 2013 that I was able to see that. I have learned that you should always get a copy of the doctor's notes on file so that you have ALL of the information. The Mayo is very transparent about that, you can access your doctor's notes and your records in a patient portal online. My favorite motto is: It never hurts to ask. You really do need to be your own best advocate. Ask if it's possible that you have bronchiectasis coming on.

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Mentor
Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor | @windwalker | May 21, 2018
In reply to @lauriefrancis "@nick52 @windwalker I just visited my Mom. We talked about milk thistle. I asked when she..." + (show)
@lauriefrancis

@nick52 @windwalker I just visited my Mom. We talked about milk thistle. I asked when she noticed the bloating in her stomach. My guess is about 3 years ago. But her gaĺl bladder surgery was 7 yrs ago.
She has also had other surgery in her abdominal area over the years. So how long after surgery can a person develop and adhesion? And what is the treatment? What is the diagnostic protocol?
Also re milk thistle what dose should be administered?
I told my Mom you're praying for her. We are very grateful.

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@lauriefrancis What is your mom's name?

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Mentor
Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor | @windwalker | May 21, 2018
In reply to @gaelawree "Hello group, my name is GaeLawree, I was just diagnosed with Mycobacteria Avium Complex (MAC), I..." + (show)
@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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@gaelawree Oops! I meant N95 mask. I see you are already familiar with it. I love gardening also, but now I get my hubby to do all digging, planting, and potting. I just supervise and enjoy the beauty. I too am an artist. I paint and make jewelry. What kind of art are you into?

REPLY
gaelawree | @gaelawree | May 21, 2018
In reply to @gaelawree "Hello group, my name is GaeLawree, I was just diagnosed with Mycobacteria Avium Complex (MAC), I..." + (show)
@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.

Jump to this post

@windwalker Hi! Thanks for the advice, I will ask my doctor about that when I see him Thursday.
I do oil painting, I’m a copy artist so I can paint from photographs, I also make jewelry, I make jewelry from horse hair, for people who want keepsakes of their horses.
My garden is mostly succulents, & geraniums. I have a small raised veggie garden. I like to do hand watering & trimming.

REPLY
lauriefrancis | @lauriefrancis | May 21, 2018
In reply to @lauriefrancis "@nick52 @windwalker I just visited my Mom. We talked about milk thistle. I asked when she..." + (show)
@lauriefrancis

@nick52 @windwalker I just visited my Mom. We talked about milk thistle. I asked when she noticed the bloating in her stomach. My guess is about 3 years ago. But her gaĺl bladder surgery was 7 yrs ago.
She has also had other surgery in her abdominal area over the years. So how long after surgery can a person develop and adhesion? And what is the treatment? What is the diagnostic protocol?
Also re milk thistle what dose should be administered?
I told my Mom you're praying for her. We are very grateful.

Jump to this post

Nina.

REPLY
lauriefrancis | @lauriefrancis | May 21, 2018
In reply to @lauriefrancis "@nick52 @windwalker I just visited my Mom. We talked about milk thistle. I asked when she..." + (show)
@lauriefrancis

@nick52 @windwalker I just visited my Mom. We talked about milk thistle. I asked when she noticed the bloating in her stomach. My guess is about 3 years ago. But her gaĺl bladder surgery was 7 yrs ago.
She has also had other surgery in her abdominal area over the years. So how long after surgery can a person develop and adhesion? And what is the treatment? What is the diagnostic protocol?
Also re milk thistle what dose should be administered?
I told my Mom you're praying for her. We are very grateful.

Jump to this post

@windwalker Nina is my Mom's name.

REPLY
Mentor
Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor | @windwalker | May 22, 2018
In reply to @gaelawree "Hello group, my name is GaeLawree, I was just diagnosed with Mycobacteria Avium Complex (MAC), I..." + (show)
@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.

Jump to this post

@gaelawree What a wonderful concept using horsehair in jewely! Especially to make momentos. I'd love see see some of your designs. I make jewelry with pearls, fetishes, sterling & gold vermeil, and semi-precious stones. I paint with oil and acrylics.
REPLY
gaelawree | @gaelawree | May 22, 2018
In reply to @gaelawree "Hello group, my name is GaeLawree, I was just diagnosed with Mycobacteria Avium Complex (MAC), I..." + (show)
@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.

Jump to this post

@windwalker Your painting is beautiful! Thank you, I’ll post a couple of my works.
REPLY
Jennifer | @megan123 | May 22, 2018
In reply to @joan912 "My husband was diagnosed with MAC and subsequently bronchiectasis. His doctor at first prescribed the big..." + (show)
@joan912

My husband was diagnosed with MAC and subsequently bronchiectasis. His doctor at first prescribed the big 3, but later told him not to take any, if he won't take all 3. He had a bad reaction to Rifabutin, which caused chest pains. He asked if there was a substitute for that, but apparently not.

He had 2 CT Scans, one in March, the second in May. The second did show some improvement, but also diagnosed bronchiectasis, which the first Scan did not. He asked for another one this month. Now his doctor told him that he doesn't need another CT Scan at all, and, if anything, he could have a Chest X-ray. A chest X-ray cannot diagnose bronchiectasis so, to me, her response is outrageous. His doctor seems to be very ineffective and doesn't seem to care about his well-being. She never asks how he is, nor offer any solutions to his constant sputum. I'm afraid to ask for another pulmonologist at Kaiser, because I'm afraid they will back each other up, or at least not contradict each other.

Does anyone have experience with Kaiser? My husband wants to see numerous other pulmonologists in other cities and wants me to take time off from work (let alone spending a lot of money since it will all be out of pocket), to make appointments for him (he doesn't work). I simply cannot do so, since I have no backup for my job. I'm willing to travel to one place, maybe Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.

If I can stay local, does anyone have a recommendation for a well-respected, knowledgeable MAC doctor in the Bay Area of California?

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Thanks Terry.....swimming days are done....bought a bike, and am now starting bike riding...lol✌️

REPLY
heathert | @heathert | May 22, 2018
In reply to @gaelawree "Hello group, my name is GaeLawree, I was just diagnosed with Mycobacteria Avium Complex (MAC), I..." + (show)
@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.

Jump to this post

Wow @windwalker that is a beautiful painting, very clever! Sounds like you are kept very busy.

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