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Testing Positive and Negative after MAC Treatment

Posted by terryb1 @128128terry11t, Sep 27, 2019

Right after I stopped taking the drugs (was on for 2 years having had 5 negative sputum in a row), I tested positive. I now seem to test intermittently positive. I was wondering if there are others who test sometimes positive and sometimes negative AFTER finishing treatment. For now not taking any meds as doctor is concerned with symptoms and not exclusively with sputum results. Would like to hear from others who are testing sometimes positive and sometimes negative AFTER finishing treatment. So comforting to know that we are not on this journey alone. Always appreciate the feedback.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the MAC & Bronchiectasis Support Group.

Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jul 1, 2022
In reply to @catherine83 "Hi sue I was on the big 3 for 8 months I stopped treatment myself 4..." + (show)
@catherine83

Hi sue

I was on the big 3 for 8 months I stopped treatment myself 4 months before I seen professor. I do my saline nebs twice daily. I am still coughing up sputum that can look green yellow and if I get deeps coughs specs of brown through it. I have pains out my back that come and go. I was diagnosed on my last appointment with ecoli pneumonia and he said he taught I may be carrying abit of it still and came me another of the same antibiotic I took on last appointment Ciprofloxacin 750mg twice daily it's breaking the cough a small bit am I am on it now 5 days, I an still suffering the same illness I originally went to A&E about I finding it truly hard to communicate with my professor. Last appointment I seen a doctor she noted all I'd to say went to see Prof, he came into appointment room said its gone just take this antibiotic and I'll see you in 6 month's, I went into shock when he left I cried to doctor why do I not feel any better of worse, and why are they shadows etc on my xray she said maybe scarring even tho it was cavity Mac I was diagnosed with, apologies it's all over the place I find I'm confused angry and sick and getting out of it mentally is hard when all says I'm good but I don't feel better. When I said to the doctor I think I'll need a second opinion she said there are 4 more consultants over there (other hospital) I think I need to clear my angry mental state before doing it all over again C.

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@catherine83, I moved your message to this related discussion:
- Testing Positive and Negative after MAC Treatment https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/positive-and-negative/

I did this so you can connect with fellow MAC members like @rits @thumperguy @128128terry11t, @heathert @n4seth who know first hand about the frustrations of getting answers regarding negative sputum, but still dealing with symptoms.

It sounds like a second opinion might be warranted in your case. Here's info should you wish to request an appointment at Mayo Clinic http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63

Here are a couple of related discussions that might interest you:
- Negative sputum results without treatment https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/negative-sputum-results-without-treatment/
- MAC and Fatigue https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mac-and-fatigue/

Catherine, how are doing with clearing your "angry mental state" (albeit justified)? Have you found the energy to come up with a plan to get back on your horse so to speak, and move forward again?

REPLY
cate123456 | @cate123456 | Aug 28, 2022
In reply to @windwalker "@128128terry11t, and @heathert I do know of a woman here in my hometown that has bronchiectasis..." + (show)
@windwalker

@128128terry11t, and @heathert I do know of a woman here in my hometown that has bronchiectasis and got regular bronchial washings that cleared her up. She swears by it.

Jump to this post

Terri,
What do you mean by bronchial washings?
Did she have repeated bronchoscopies?
And do you know how often.
Thanks

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