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Just Diagnosed with GERD, Bronchiectasis and MAC
MAC & Bronchiectasis | Last Active: Sep 22, 2022 | Replies (14)Comment receiving replies
I was diagnosed 3 years ago with MAC and bronchiectasis . It was a finding on a CT scan for my heart. I have been getting CT scans every year. This year there was change to my CT scan. He wants to repeat the scan in Jan. And start medication at that time. I still have no symptoms at this time.
Replies to "I was diagnosed 3 years ago with MAC and bronchiectasis . It was a finding on..."
Just to be clear, the airway clearance process (via PEP device and nebulized saline) is to mitigate the progression of your bronchiectasis. It's not to treat your MAC infection (although a small percentage of people have been known to clear their infection via airway clearance).
This process also mitigates the risk of 'exacerbations' such as pneumonia that could land you in hospital. Airway clearance for bronchiectasis patients is recommended regardless of being asymptomatic.
Unfortunately, a large number of pulmos in the US are not aware of the importance of airway clearance and, consequently, fail to educate their patients accordingly. Insmead currently have a bronchiectasis drug under trial and plan to do a nationwide educational roadshow to socialize this concept with physicians.
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A CT scan alone is not sufficient information with which to begin treatment - the culture will show the type of MAC (there are several) and what antibiotics it is sensitive to.
Have they done a sputum culture yet? Recommended using airway clearance with saline to try to stop/slow the infection? Are you seeing a pulmonologist or ID doc experienced in treating MAC? MAC is still quite uncommon, so many do not have experience treating it.
Sorry for so many questions, but you might want to do a little studying before you commit to treatment with antibiotics.
Here is a link to a recent educational conference at the Medical University of South Carolina where "To treat or Not?" is discussed in the first session
Defining NTM lung disease, Patrick Flume, M.D.
Mycobacteria & the Environment, Susan Dorman, M.D.
Non-Pharmacologic Therapies, Wayne Barfield, RT & Christina Mingora, M.D.
Antibiotic Treatment of NTM Lung Disease, Patrick Flume, M.D.
Drug Toxicity and Monitoring, Wendy Bullington, PharmD
Emotional Wellness and Quality of Life While Living with NTM, Lillian Christon, PhD
What is in the Drug Pipeline? Susan Dorman, M.D.
Patient Advocacy, Sue Gray, RN
Panel Q&A
Patient Perspectives, Faculty Panel
I hope this information will help you.
Sue