Hi @pamelasc1, I happen to know that @katemn is traveling at the moment and may not have access to the Internet for a while. Pamela, have you been introduced to all the other MAC members on this thread https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mycobacterium-avium-complex-pulmonary-disease-macmai/ You may consider hopping over to that thread and posting your question there.

There are over 130 messages, which I encourage you to read. But here's the last page of messages if you just want to get to posting your question. 🙂

pamelasco1, The doctor who is sponsoring our new support group in Atlanta told us Sunday....
ABSOLUTELY stay out of hot tubs, no matter where they are located.
Jan in Ga.

The whirlpool is the hot tub. Is this correct? I presume same. Do you have<br />
any information on 'Steam room'. They have one at my fitness club.<br />
<br />
with thanks<br />
<br />
-- <br />
*Gayle*<br />

Pam, in the recesses of my memory .. and I hate to swear by it I think I was told NOT to go into hot tubs .. primarily because of the difficulty of I think of guaranteeing the true cleanliness of them at any given time .. ANYWHERE! Personally there is NO WAY I would even THINK of going near a hot tub/steam room/or even a bath tub much because they really do not have a clear answer yet just how the mycobacterium gets into our lungs .. better safe than sorry! I chose to put a filter on my shower head .. BUT I live in a condo which my trusty plumber pointed out has the newer type plastic tubing/plumbing. Plastic plumbing is a GREAT harbor for mycobacterium .. what am I going to do .. sell my condo when we really don't know really how we get MAI/MAC. I think we just have to do the best we can .. wear a mask when gardening .. use a filter when showering (someone told me a good one was "Sprite HO2-WH High Output Shower Filter"
http://www.amazon.com/Sprite-HO2-WH-Output-Shower-Filter/dp/B0064I246A
take shorter showers .. turn our hot water heater higher so it can kill bacteria .. see that article I noted earlier .. exercise .. eat well. Just plain do the best we can .. BUT for me .. NO hot tub inside OR out! Pam, that is just my opinion.

My pulmonary MD told me that even the shower mist causes problems.  I live by the beach but salty moist ocean air is fine?

Same here. My doc doesn't like FIITNESS CLUB steam rooms, whirl pools or showers. I believe your hot tub jets should be cleaned by professional first - then you will learn the best method. As above, Doc said 'stay out of it'. And, I mentioned boiled water. He said 'he wouldn't go overboard'. I drink plenty of water on those pills. I'm trying to flush out. Thirst - so I bought biotène moisurizing mouth spray at the drug store I find useful. Meanwhile, the last three sputum tests I submitted each were barely drops. It was sufficient for them to obtain results. Good news. The disease isn't growing. Eleven (11) more months of antibiotics to go (I hope). We must do what the Doc says./Gayle

Tessie, so glad the MAC is not growing! What good news! I agree we must do as our trusted Doctor says and hopefully come out on the end as I did May 2014 as stable!!

I also use Biotene .. both the spray and the gel for at night time .. I find it helpful too. Best to you! Katherine

Hi - I was very reluctant to start taking the meds. I was a total emotional wreck. I was at home crying, then coming to work crying. I did not want to be taking these drugs for 12 months. Then my friends started to pray for me, and I thought "this could have been a lot worse", so I went home and took my first dose. I take my meds in the afternoon. When I took my first set of meds (3 different type of pills), I ate oatmeal with them. I had to go to the bathroom 2 times. My stomach did not hurt. So, hopefully, I am praying everything goes okay and I am trying to keep a positive outlook. Remember, anxiety just makes things worse. And always remember to pray over your body and ask God to heal you......I also will keep every doctor's appointment, from lab work to sputnum tests, to seeing my eye doctor. I will also exercise every day, even though I exercised even before I knew I had MAC. So please stay encouraged everyone, and I will pray for everyone, that we all are healed!!!!!

Sophie, it sounds like you have a plan in order .. and are following that plan .. good for you! Just keep up the positive attitude and you will get to the other side just fine! I did and I am doing just great since May 2014 .. just keep on keeping on! Sending you a hug! Katherine

Sophie still feeling good. I was diagnosed with MAC in upper right lung, cavity.

Started my first dose of the big 3 last night. I'm trying not to be anxious reading all the terribly negative things about the drugs. I'm determined to take them unless vision, hearing, liver or kidney problems develope.

Let me know how you are doing now on the meds 3 weeks in right?

I hope we'll, I need a good story.

Thanks
Kay