Connect
← Return to Newly Diagnosed Questions
Discussion
Comment receiving replies
Being as active as you are, it sounds like you are probably asymptomatic of MAC symptoms, especially if you are so active and briskly walk 15 miles a week. I’m not that active but was also asymptomatic when diagnosed a year and a half ago. My pulmonologist pushed for me to start treatment but I declined.
As others on this forum say, the most important thing for you to do is airway clearance-Nebulize with 7% saline and use an Aerobika to keep the mucus cleared out of your lungs. The saline also may keep the MAC tapped down. See how you feel in a few months and then decide if you want to start treatment or wait longer.
Replies to "Being as active as you are, it sounds like you are probably asymptomatic of MAC symptoms,..."
what does a cat scan of your lungs show??? Bronchiectasis???
6 years ago NJH told me the gold standard to begin RX for MAC was two positive cultures and presence of bronchiectasis on CAT scan.
I am right where you are. I was diagnosed August 2021. I have no symptoms and I am running 5 miles a day seven days a week. I am doing my airway clearance 1 hour twice a day with vest. i am doing everything I can to avoid treatment. I really think I would refuse treatment if asked. I will
try anything other than treatment if it comes to that. Everything I read says you can't get rid of MAC and that it always comes back sooner or later. Also my ID doctor has also said that. Everyone has there own opinion on this but it seems like you end up with more health problems by taking the antibiotics.
Connect
I just found out that I have mac, and I also got diagnosed with Klebsiella pneumonia at the same time, along with an intestinal cancer about 3 weeks ago. I'm not sure how long I've had the Mac for, I'm a little terrified but I wanted to tell you that I really don't have many symptoms, I'm having a little bit no problems taking deep breaths sometimes, but I also have pneumonia in there so I don't know what to think. A CT scan was done on Friday, the results aren't back yet but my doctor put in the notes on my chart tonight that the preliminary on the CT was a cavity in my lung. I'm not really sure what that means, but everything that I looked up about it it isn't good... I'm really scared about this. I don't have any other symptoms though, no coughing, no mucus even. It's just so strange. Is there anything you can tell me or advice you could give? I'm terrified!!!(