EU study—by only nebbing w 5.8% saline clearedMAC and Abcessus.

@cate123456 Hi Cate - Thank you for posting. I read the article on my phone, where I don't post much due to hand issues (cannot link things accurately on the little keyboard due to tremors) - then couldn't locate it again from my PC.

I agree it was a small sample, but VERY encouraging. I was unable to take the antibiotics long enough to get rid of MAC, but kept up the 7% saline nebs - twice a day for 2 years, then once a day, now several times a week. And airway clearance. I have stayed symptom free, with better CT's for almost 3 years now, can't wait to hear what the pulmonologist has to say on Thursday.

I am convinced the saline nebs saved me. There are some other believers here like @thumperguy. I am guessing the 5.8% came from an older study that showed the effects of various saline levels on NTM varieties.

What makes me so hopeful is that docs are beginning to see this as a starting point for non-cavitary MAC, sparing us from the difficulties of the antibiotics. Many of the lung centers support trying it. When people in this group first began asking docs, reactions ranged generally skepticism to refusal.

Are you using saline?
Sue

Sue you’ve been an amazing educator here on the benefits of saline!

Yes, I have been using saline 7&3% for 3 years with deep airway clearance and no progress or MAC symptoms.
But I am now suffering from a coinfection called Acinetobacter Baumanni which I’ve been hospitalized twice for in the last month. My hospital sputum showed clear after extensive IV antibiotics, and steroids but a recent culture just showed It’s still there. So rats…
But I’m nebbing 3 times a day and on two new antibiotics that it showed sensitive to for 21 days….ugh
I’m convinced these coinfections are worse than the MAC infection…

@cate123456
7% saline has made my life doable with Bronchiectasis (diagnosed 1997) and MAC (diagnosed 2008). I have been nebulizing the saline twice a day for 5 years. It clears my lungs enough to give me a reasonable voice (though I can no longer sing) and be reasonably free of coughing throughout the day and night. I was on the big 3 for 2.5 years with no success and considerable damage to my GI tract. I do have cavities that so far have not shown signs of going away, and I did have a serious flare-up after a bad cold last spring that required hospitalization, but despite those things, I still say the saline has been my most effective maintenance treatment so far. I'm religious about sticking to the twice a day regimen. Without it, the congestion really interferes with my activities. I'm now also seeing a holistic practitioner who is treating me with Chinese herbs. I'm eager for my next CT scan to see if the herbs are effective. I hope you find a treatment that works for you!

Thank you for sharing your stories with us.
Onana, I hope your CT scan shows improvement in your lungs. Will keep you in my prayers.

Just had my CT at Cedars & although my lungs actually look ok, it's at the very bottom of them where my problem appears to be. Doing Saline, Albuterol & Arykace along with the Big Three.
Hoping to see some improvement soon but so far not much. Not sure what else to add to the program as I'm pretty much booked up here. Open to any other suggestions.

Hi Onana
How did you locate your herbalist? What kind of training? I am keen to do this but troubling finding anything but chiropractors which I have been told and read to steer clear 😎

@kathleenlp

Hi Kathleen. You asked where I found the herbalist. My sister has a friend who had been treated by this man for many years and when she was in her forties he saved her life when she lay dying at Cedars Sinai hospital. So, on that recommendation I sought him out. He is an 80 year old Chinese practitioner who first studied to be an MD, but then changed his training to "Oriental Medicine." His credentials are O.M.D. (Doctor of Oriental Medicine) and L.ac. (Licensed Acupuncturist). He practices in Long Beach, CA. He doesn't take insurance and he's quite expensive. I've been working with him for about 6 weeks now. He has treated me only with herbs. The difference so far is that I'm not coughing up phlegm. My energy and appetite are much improved. I Donn't know where you live. You might search for persons in your region with those credentials and then try to get reviews from other people. Let me know where you live. I can ask my doctor how you can find someone like him in your area. Best wishes. Olivia

Hi Olivia

Thank you for your time!! Yes, please ask. I have tried searching with little luck but I know there must be someone. I live near the greater Houston area in Texas. Thanks for asking!

Thank you. Can you also help ask him someone in Atlanta area.

You might try contacting your local College of Oriental Medicine -
https://www.atlantauniv.org/macchm
Their faculty and their training are listed on the home page - perhaps they still see patients.
Sue