Hello Desperada,
I'm so sorry for your grief and health problems. And I completely understand your resistance to the antibiotics. I have MAC and bronchiectasis - AGAIN - after being on the big 3 antibiotics for about 15 months several years ago. Then I was pronounced "cured" after consecutive scopes and cultures. This time I told my pulmonologist, who is very understanding, that I was done with antibiotics and scopes. I have chronic kidney disease and believe that those long term antibiotics damaged my kidneys, although I can't prove it. I also have COPD and am using inhaled Stiolto Respimat daily. The pulmo gave me samples of different kinds of inhaled med and Stiolto is the best. (I don't want to take steroids because of bone loss). Because I don't have any drug insurance (long story), I get my Stiolto from Canada Pharmacy. It is less than half the US cost, even with Good Rx and is the exact same medication.

I just turned 80 and I do yoga poses in my bedroom every morning for strength and balance. I firmly believe that the yoga breathing (belly breathing) has improved my lung function. It should help with your headaches, too, and with sleep. It's impossible to feel stress when you are breathing deeply and "watching" your breaths. I also walk (using my Albuterol inhaler first and putting on a knee brace) for at least 30 minutes every day that it's not raining , freezing or bad air quality. I only nebulize 7% saline if I've been coughing. And I follow up with Air Physio for airway clearance. My pulmo says I am "moving air well".

So, despite these "handicaps", and with optimism, life goes on. You are only 71 and should have a lot of life left. Join a book club, take a yoga class - ashtanga or hatha are not aerobic and will help you relax. Find something you enjoy where you can socialize and distract your mind from your pain and grief for a while. Remember, MAC is just one more thing we won't die of; it's something we'll die with. Practice good lung hygiene with deep breathing, your walks, airway clearance. And find another pulmonologist!