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

Have you tried a Neil Med sinus rinse bottle with the saline solution (kit comes in a box at any drug store) Natural, Easy, inexpensive and with regular use works better for nasal drip and even sinus infections than ANY drug I’ve ever been on-(had chronic sinusitis ) prescribed to me at National Jewish Health in Denver. Hint - if you warm it just a tad it is not at all uncomfortable. Also ask your Dr about using an Aerobika with your nebulizer - like getting a 2 for one deal. Works wonders for helping to clear lungs when you have bronchiectasis.

@windwalker From the list of MAC hot spots, we probably can deduce that heat and humidity are not the determining factor for the existence of MAC, as these states have varying climates. Some hot but not humid, some hot and humid, some have cold and damp winters some do not. Wisconsin may get humid in the southern portion of the state in summer, but its winter is cold and dry. So far, I have not been able to find any source that would explain to me why there is concentration of MAC in some places around the country. I guess if people decide to move, stay away from the MAC hot spots is a safer way to go, although one's physical condition being another determining factor may or may not allow them to completely escape the possibility of being infected by MAC.

I do too and he doing what he thinks will work best for me. I have became very weak and I don’t eat well. He’s caring and listens to me. I see him in two months to be tested again.

@ling123 True. I was trying to figure why some places are hot spots. I know that the southern region of Wis is the hottest hot-spot in that state and the source for water supply is from an open reservoir. Not sure about other municipalities in the other states. I don't think anybody has figured this out. I am beginning to think our food with all of its chemicals and crap is making our bodies broken. ?????? !!!!

And the problem is the antibitics do t cure it its only temporary fix and it mess up other things so how do u get rid of it

@windwalker Whatever the reason, I probably won't move unless my husband agrees to move to Colorado with me (not to run away from MAC for for the love of the mountains). So my goal is to try my very best to stay healthy. The rest is out of my hands. Thankfully, I have not had problems with my lungs for the past 4+ years. Fingers crossed I can keep MAC away for as long as possible, hopefully forever.

@windwalker @ling123 ...I just read today that FL is the highest MAC state. I wonder if it is because FL is a retirement destination and MAC is typically an older women's disease. Are we "importing" the MAC cases here in FL or "manufacturing" them? Hard to figure...but I would not consider moving unless my case got really bad. Terri..I agree with your thought about diet...food certainly impacts our health and makes us able to either fight off or succumb to diseases.

I came Florida 15 years ago from NY! I love this place but my husband wants to move because he thinks I’ll always be sick here. I don’t know what to do! My 5 kids all lives here and I love my grandkids so much. It will break my heart to leave them. I need help!!!!

@alleycatkate This MAC thing is a total mystery to me. I've done as much reading on it as I can stomach. If the doctors can't even be on the same page with the cause and treatment plans, I figure I will just concentrate on doing what I can do and let the rest lie where it may. I totally agree with you about diet. One big component is sugar. We've got to cut as much sugar from our diet as we can manage. Not just sugar as what's in desert, but carbohydrate. If I need to eat it, I go for whole grains, such as whole wheat and brown rice, keeping the white stuff to a minimum. Just so happens I'm cursed with family history of diabetes. I don't have it yet. But that is the biggest motivation for me to cut down on sugar and carbs. The fear of getting diabetes is strong enough to keep myself inline. And I feel pretty good so far.

@ling123 I wholeheartedly agree with you, sugar is our enemy, and nutrient rich foods are key!