Hi. I have not logged in for a long time and see I have a lot of catching up to do. I live in Tucson AZ - dry climate. Here are some points that may be helpful/encouraging to others:
My mother who also lived in Tucson was diagnosed with MAI/bronchiectasis at about age 75 in the mid-1970’s, was treated with the standard things at that time, and lived until she was 89. Periodically she needed antibiotics to quell side effects and the last I would say five years of her life she needed oxygen at night and then the last year or so 24 hours.
I was her caregiver and developed MAC/MAI/bronchiectasis in 2012 diagnosed by bronchoscopy. I went through the azithromycin/ethambutol/rifampin routine for a year and a half. Never developed eye issues but did see eye doctor every 6 months during and follow up to be sure. Quit the rifampin part after I think it was 9 months because with each dose I developed a fever of 102-3 and felt like I had a major flu. This put my disease into remission and the CT scans have confirmed this status.
I have been rx’d azithromycin prophylactically when I have contracted the flu or pneumonia given my bronchiecstasis. I have contracted covid three times and took paxlovid once it was available the third time this past January.
I now plan to read and catch up to understand eg the use of saline that I noticed.
I am glad this group is here. I know my lungs are not as strong as they used to be.