A-Fib and MAC

I have not gotten rid of bronchiectasis and it is my understanding that once it develops you will always have it. It is a physical condition not an infection. But the doctor said that is probably why I got the MAC disease however because I also have A-Fib I am hesitant to start the treatment for MAC because the combination of antibiotics and A-Fib medication is contraindicated.

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Afib can be symptomatic causing those that have it to feel their hearts racing and palpitations. This can be horrible. However, afib episodes are not dangerous in themselves. The dangers come from clots forming and causing a stroke and a very high heart rate. Your afib issues are being managed with an anticoagulant (blood thinner) to prevent clots and a beta blocker to keep the heart rate from going too high.

Your other heart problem is qt prolongation which can be much more serious than afib and is detected through an ekg. On an ekg read out, heart beats appear as long vertical lines. There are much shorter lines between the beats that look like waves. One of those waves is the qt and yours is abnormal. Some drugs including some antibiotics may affect the qt
prolongation making it worse.

Your doctors need to balance the risk of antibiotics for MAC affecting your heart. If you don't have severe MAC symptoms or a lot of MAC and especially if you don't have cavities, the decision may be to keep your MAC levels stable or even reduce it through nebulizing 7% saline and doing airway clearance and not doing antibiotics.

I hope this helps and I hope you hear your doctors' recommendation soon.

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Yes it does help. I have reached that conclusion. Now I have another issue. I took Ceftin 10 days in October for a Sinus infection. I still have not been coughing much nor clearing any mucus. My Pulmonologist says don’t worry; just increase nebulizing. Still not coughing up sputum. I am getting worried that the mucus is just building up in my chest. What to do?

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I'm wondering if maybe the Ceftin temporarily "knocked down" the amount of MAC bacteria (note - not "knocked out") in your lungs to the point where you are not producing as much sputum? Between that and the 7% saline and airway clearance, maybe your lungs are pretty clear? The doc should be able to hear how you are doing.
Sue

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Do you think that the Dr and hear your lungs well enough to know that they are clearing up? I never knew that.

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A good stethoscope and a sharp ear can help tell how much crud is in there. My husband (EMT) and daughter (ER/OR nurse) can both tell me when mine start to get congested and I need to call the doc. When mine are really bad all my husband needs to do is put his hand on my back to find out.
Sue

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I'm wondering if maybe the Ceftin temporarily "knocked down" the amount of MAC bacteria (note - not "knocked out") in your lungs to the point where you are not producing as much sputum? Between that and the 7% saline and airway clearance, maybe your lungs are pretty clear? The doc should be able to hear how you are doing.
Sue

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I have AFib also. My doctors all say I cannot Sotalol and I "assume" any other Beta Blockers. They didn't mention Eliquis which I take to thin my blood.

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Thanks for your reply. I know I am not clear of MAC; but since I took the Ceftin, my heavy coughing has stopped. I have started "huffing" which brings up at little sputum and continue to nebulize. I saw the doc Nov. 11th and he said not to worry. No doubt the coughing will return. I did start taking NAC; but am trying to find one that contains milk thistle. I think that ingredient reduces the risk to liver.

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