← Return to Radiation Lung Fibrosis, Bronchiectasis, Traction Bronchiectasis

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@sueinmn

If you do some reading on other discussion in this group, you will find that many of us have found an alternative method of keeping MAC either at bay or out of our lungs. Here is the process in a nutshell:
Airway opening - either via inhaled or nebulized bronchodilator
Airway cleaning - using nebulized 7% saline solution
Airway clearance - huff coughing, a positive airway pressure device like Aerobika or Acapella, a percussion vest, or manual percussion sometimes including postural drainage
Some people use N-acetyl-cystine or glutathione, Omega-3 or other supplements
Quickly responding to the first hint of a respiratory illness, in consultation with docs
Periodic monitoring of lungs via CT and/or sputum cultures.

This is needed once or twice daily depending on the severity of one's Bronchiectasis. It sounds daunting but my regimen takes 20-30 minutes in the morning, while I read the paper and my email. I add a second session if my lungs are acting up.

7% saline is used in the neb because it has been shown to halt the growth of MAC bacteria.

This regimen has kept me completely off antibiotics for 22 months. My latest CT showed no change in my lungs since 2019.
Sue

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Replies to "If you do some reading on other discussion in this group, you will find that many..."

Hi Sue, thanks for your lengthy reply. I also do the saline solution in the nebulizer twice a day, postural training and at times use my arobica device.
My latest CT scan showed that my nodules Have gotten a bit bigger. But the doctor has no more suggestions at this point. I don’t think that the Saline solution kills the Mac ;it just helps the cleaning process of the lungs. I tend to have exacerbations 2 to 3 times a year and he puts me on Augmentin for two weeks. I am curious which anabiotic‘s you were placed on and also I’m curious if most of us are 60 years or older. Thanks so much, Barb in San Diego😇 I was first diagnosed with Sjogren’s syndrome which makes the lungs vulnerable. And the pulmonologist said the Mac infection was caused by my dirty showerhead at home. The showerhead needs to be cleaned profusely with vinegar at least once a month.