Hello josey1, my name is Helen and I found this site by chance and it has helped me so much. I have been coughing since 2015 and was told I had TB. I took all the INH Meds for 8 months and felt horrible then better. Unfortunately the cough never went away but, I was too stubborn and was so busy working and living and thought it would resolve. It got worse and I was diagnosed with Bronchiactis, Hypersensitivity Pnomomitisis and Asthma and had SOB. I kept on coughing and so fatigued all they time it started affecting my work. In 2020 I got COVID and was so sick and put on several antibiotics and oxygen. My PFT Tests were pretty bad and was put on steroids which I learned from reading on his site one of the worst things for bronchiactis. In 2021 I again thought I may have COVID but, later learned I had Pnumonia. In March of this year by chest was hurting and ended in the ER. The MD there was great. She did a CT Scan note I have had several and nodules and no big deal per my Pulmonologist. I was then informed I have MAC. Was referred to an ID MD who put me on 3 Antibiotics plus Arykace.
I started weaning myself off the steroids. I have been on MAC meds since June this year 2022. I use oxygen during the day when I so to much. I am pretty fit bit and think this helped me, but for the last 6 weeks I was so tired and scared I could not take all these meds as sick all the time. I started using the saline 3% in late June after reading here with albutetol 2 x a day. I asked for 7% saline but, was told by my ID doctor to hold off. Right now I on a 5 day trip did with 3 teenage granddaughters up the coast. My family didn't want me too. I honestly feel so much better and although I am still coughing I feel better. Here ate challenges and I have learned how to take my meds at different times when to eat as I had no appetite and hope this turning point is due to me getting better and then meds with saline and albuterol are working. I go in for blood, x-ray and sputum on 8/8/22 and pray my MAC is under control and I continue to do well as this is a very difficult disease and with all the other lung issues every small accomplishment is a gift. Hang in there and pray you feel better. Sorry for my going on and on.....