1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

Just started Big 3 Antibiotics-increased cough

Posted by caryre @caryre, Mar 29, 2023

I was recently diagnosed with MAC after having an unexplained cough for 15 months. I started the meds last week and have noticed an increase in coughing and thinner mucus since then. Anyone have a similar experience? I’m hoping that it means the meds are working.

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bellsina71 | @bellsina71 | Mar 29, 2023

I was also recently diagnosed with MAC and have started two of the three antibiotics. Azithromycin and Ethambutol. I am not sure but I would think that the antibiotics could definitely cause the mucus to be loosening up in your lungs therefore causing coughing up extra mucus or seeing a change in it. I have never had any symptoms of this, even though I have a 3.7 CM hole in my lung! I don't think it's uncommon what your experiencing though.
Good luck with your treatment!
Angela

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suethenanny | @suethenanny | Mar 30, 2023

I believe it is the antibiotics doing their job, getting it out. I managed to cough up a bronchial cast after 6 months on the Big 3, and I've felt a lot better since then. It also cleared a lot of sinus gunk as well. Good luck with your treatment.

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2 replies
bellsina71 | @bellsina71 | Mar 30, 2023
In reply to @suethenanny "I believe it is the antibiotics doing their job, getting it out. I managed to cough..." + (show)
@suethenanny

I believe it is the antibiotics doing their job, getting it out. I managed to cough up a bronchial cast after 6 months on the Big 3, and I've felt a lot better since then. It also cleared a lot of sinus gunk as well. Good luck with your treatment.

Jump to this post

I'm not sure if I want to know what a bronchial cast is, but I'm going to ask anyway?!!

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suethenanny | @suethenanny | Mar 30, 2023

Well mine looked like a worm, but they can look like trees, branches, just whatever shape your bronchial tubes are really. The lab tested it as even my doctor thought it looked like a worm!

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2 replies
bellsina71 | @bellsina71 | Mar 30, 2023
In reply to @suethenanny "Well mine looked like a worm, but they can look like trees, branches, just whatever shape..." + (show)
@suethenanny

Well mine looked like a worm, but they can look like trees, branches, just whatever shape your bronchial tubes are really. The lab tested it as even my doctor thought it looked like a worm!

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Oh my gosh! I had no idea are they hard or soft? That's kind of gross. I hope I don't ever have one of those!!! I bet that felt good to get that out of there!!!

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caryre | @caryre | Mar 30, 2023
In reply to @suethenanny "I believe it is the antibiotics doing their job, getting it out. I managed to cough..." + (show)
@suethenanny

I believe it is the antibiotics doing their job, getting it out. I managed to cough up a bronchial cast after 6 months on the Big 3, and I've felt a lot better since then. It also cleared a lot of sinus gunk as well. Good luck with your treatment.

Jump to this post

Thanks, great to hear! BTW, I just looked up bronchial cast. That’s crazy!

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arbakr | @arbakr | Mar 31, 2023

I don't have the answer for you, but I pray you're right, and they're working quickly.

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Mar 31, 2023

@caryre Hello, and welcome to Connect - I'm glad you found us because we have so many people who have had MAC & Bronchiectasis sharing their experiences.

As to whether the increased coughing & mucus are from the meds - we know that "MAC is slow to grow and slow to grow" - average treatment time is 18-24 months. So that seems quite soon to have any changes.

I have a question - when you were diagnosed, were you taught to use any kind of airway clearance? If so, that may be what is increasing the cough and mucus. Believe it or not, that's a really GOOD thing. Getting the mucus out of your lungs robs the bacteria of its hiding place, and makes breathing easier.

Sue

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squire123 | @squire123 | Apr 1, 2023
In reply to @suethenanny "Well mine looked like a worm, but they can look like trees, branches, just whatever shape..." + (show)
@suethenanny

Well mine looked like a worm, but they can look like trees, branches, just whatever shape your bronchial tubes are really. The lab tested it as even my doctor thought it looked like a worm!

Jump to this post

Sounds disgusting, how wierd

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