If you have a Facebook account you could join the group Lung Matters: Covid, Bronchiectasis, MAC, NTM, Nocardia, Pseudomonas & More. Kelly Kats has created many guides for people like us who are trying to help ourselves with everyday Airway Clearance and Precautions. I have learned so much since joining.

Third try! I seem to have forgotten how to use Connect this year.
I learned a great deal about lifestyle changes from the people here on Mayo Connect and National Jewish Health videos: https://www.nationaljewish.org/education/pro-ed/live-events/ntm-patient-videos

The very first thing I learned was to find a pulmonologist who understands bronchiectasis and MAC, and will collaborate with me and other docs to find the best practices for me. I found that in my second pulmonologist after the first one "fired" me for asking him to consult with an infectious disease doc to fine tune my treatment.

Full disclosure:
I am highly analytical, and have treated having MAC & Bronch as something of a science project. I have lifelong asthma & reactive airways. I do not have GERD, silent or otherwise, to contribute to my risks.

I know a simple cold or respiratory infection usually leads me to an exacerbation, which can lead to reinfection, so I am very careful to stay healthy and stay away from sick people. And to practice airway clearance. And wear a mask...as my brother with compromised lungs says "We wore masks before they were cool."

NTM and MAC are everywhere, and I cannot eliminate exposure completely unless I want to live in a bubble, which I won't. So I did a risk analysis to figure out the most likely exposures.

My highest risk is in the dirt, soil & dust, especially because of the strain of MAC in my lungs, having feral chickens in my yard/garden in Texas, and working extensively with soil and mulch in MN. So I limit my exposure to the soil/dust - masks, water it down, clean up after. Use HEPA air filters, keep windows and doors shut when windy or when mowing, etc is going on.

My water is from a well in Texas, making it unlikely to be contaminated by NTM/MAC. My water in MN is filtered and kept very hot to limit risk. I don't have/use a hot tub. So this is a lower risk, thus I don't boil my water, clean my shower heads, etc.

Do you have the option to find a doctor with more experience with bronchiectasis and MAC? If not, would your doctor be willing to consult with someone with more expertise?

Sue

Sue, my pulmonologist seems competent. I've not brought up a nebulizer nor has he but I will ask him about it. I'm not sure why I would need a new doctor; curious about your thoughts about this. Honestly, getting to this one and following through with recommendations takes all my strength. How does anybody here find time and energy to dig through resources and try new remedies.