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If you are looking to go south for a month or two in the winter?

Posted by pjas972j @pjas972j, Jul 2, 2023

I live in the outskirts of Chicago. I have battled bronchiectasis and pseudomonas for over 12 years. I am on inhaled Tobramycin 2 weeks on/off, as prescribed by Dr. Griffith at NJH.
Last winter was really tough and I am wondering if going to a warmer climate for 6 weeks in the worst of winter would help. I mentioned that to Dr. Griffith at my last appointment. He didn't think it would help me much and said that the Gulf states and the southeast states have some of the highest rates of MAC. I've looked online to see where NTM levels are highest. I've also looked to see if you stay right on the beach, would that lower the risk?
Two questions:
1. Does anyone here go south for part of the winter and has it helped?
2. Does anyone know of a good resource that lists NTM levels by state?
Thank you!

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davis5663 | @davis5663 | Jul 5, 2023
In reply to @msk "When i was njh in march of this year i asked my doctor there if the..." + (show)
@msk

When i was njh in march of this year i asked my doctor there if the ocean was bad for mac. She said mac is everywhere and no one place is worst than others. We should be able to enjoy our lives. We just need to be careful. We go to florida in the winter and i don’t feel any different than i do here in asheville. I live surrounded by forest. I feel that is worst than the ocean. I love walking on the beach and breathing the air. The ocean calms me and its so peaceful. Go and enjoy it!😎

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I currently live on the Gulf in Florida. I feel like the ocean helps me. According to research by Dr Falkinham ocean water is the only water that doesn't have MAC. Of course it can have other bacteria. But at least I feel good it is MAC free. And just breathing the salt air seems to help.

REPLY
scoop | @scoop | Jul 5, 2023

@wangling you are armed with lots of information. You know what precautions to take to mitigate risks of contaminated drinking water (boiling, LifeStraw, or other filter, cool showers) air (wear mask when dusty) soil (no gardening while on vacation!) I suppose you could contact health department in Oahu and see what they have to say, or ask your doctor if they know another professional in HI for a consult to gather more specific locale details.

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1 reply
@ling | @wangling | Jul 5, 2023
In reply to @scoop "@wangling you are armed with lots of information. You know what precautions to take to mitigate..." + (show)
@scoop

@wangling you are armed with lots of information. You know what precautions to take to mitigate risks of contaminated drinking water (boiling, LifeStraw, or other filter, cool showers) air (wear mask when dusty) soil (no gardening while on vacation!) I suppose you could contact health department in Oahu and see what they have to say, or ask your doctor if they know another professional in HI for a consult to gather more specific locale details.

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Many thanks, Scoop!
What a great idea to contact the Health Care people there in Hawaii to see what precaution info they have to tell their people. They have recently raised a lot of awareness of NTM.

Ling

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