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(MAC/MAI) Mycobacterium Avium Complex Pulmonary Disease: Join us
MAC & Bronchiectasis | Last Active: Oct 29 5:15pm | Replies (9350)Comment receiving replies
Hi all, I was first diagnosed with bronchiectasis/MAC during hospitalization with COP in 2014. Treatment for COP stabilized me until 12 months later in 2015 when productive cough returned and sputum cultured M. Abscessus. PICC line and IV antibiotics for 3 months stopped my cough and C-T scans improved. Through all of this I continued to work and exercise including using an incentive spirometer daily. Moved states twice now with this diagnosis and changes in treatment and doctors continue to show me that I have to be my own advocate. In 2017 I started coughing productively again and cultured MAC. Treatment for 24 months did improve my C-T scan and cough, but did not convert me. I was taken off treatment to see how I did and 7 months later I have a dry cough that is consistent and low energy. Bronchiectasis is extensive but mild and last C-T was in Nov. 2019. This dry cough is new for me since normally I don't cough at all unless it's productive. Coughing all day is exhausting! Had blood work and scan done today and leaning toward having a scope to get a specimen to culture. Anyone else have a dry cough that won't go away? I've heard things like reactive airway etc...but I still continue to cough. Should note that pulmonary function tests are normal
Replies to "Hi all, I was first diagnosed with bronchiectasis/MAC during hospitalization with COP in 2014. Treatment for..."
I have a dry cough one or two times per day, prompted usually by a chill or sometimes even an icy drink. Several months ago, a member introduced us to a honey syrup from Mexico called Broncolin - purchased from Amazon.com. It is made from natural plant extracts and propolis (Google this to see how helpful this "bee glue" used to hold hives together, works as a natural antibiotic). Both the syrup and cough drops have been fabulously helpful to me. And, as a plus, my 12 yr. old grandson said it cured him of a sore throat almost immediately! Would like to thank the gal who recommended it but didn't take note of her name. If you are reading this - Thank you so much!
My wife is in the same category, a dry cough. Coughs so hard at times until she get a headache...
@lynn55 Hi Lynn. Yes, constant coughing is VERY exhausting. I used to have that issue myself. My 'go to' relief was 'Breathe Easy' tea by Traditional Medicines. It has many of the same ingredients as another good product called 'Clear Lung'. I buy the tea in the Natural food aisle at Kroger's. Clear Lung can be purchased online through Amazon. The tea could probably be found there also. The ingredients of both have been traditionally used in Chinese medicine. There are members in this group that have used the Clear Lung and said it worked. (@nicky52 is one) Like I said, the tea helped me. It especially got rid of that tight chest feeling. I hope you find some relief.
Absolutely Lynn -- first had sputum cough then later I had a completely dry cough and couldn't get any sputum up for testing. It's quite common for M. Avium and M Intracellulare. Finally having a bronchoscopy with lavage wash to see what is happening now with bacteria etc. Good idea for you to have a bronchoscopy with lavage and see what's going on.
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@lynn55.. I found relief from constant cough through acupuncture treatment of nerves. My Dr figured that half my cough was due to irritated nerves and the treatment worked. I use nebulizer asthma treatments and GERD treatments plus sleep upright. No exacerbations for 2 years.