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Cavitary MAC Resolved Completely on CT Scan?
MAC & Bronchiectasis | Last Active: Oct 17, 2023 | Replies (59)Comment receiving replies
The only place where I don't agree with your very encouraging post is when you say, "... But I'd like to stay on the azithromycin and I hope he'll have me do that..." That's a very bad idea for a couple of reasons.
First, even though we use it routinely with MAC, and people talk about using a Z-Pak all the time, it really is a "big gun" and needs to be reserved for when it is truly needed. If you stay on azithromycin alone at the end of your treatment, any MAC left in your lungs will become resistant to it. If you later have a bad flare, what will they give you?
Otherwise, please keep on sharing - it helps to hear success stories.
Sue
Replies to "The only place where I don't agree with your very encouraging post is when you say,..."
I've been going to a pulmonologist for three years now who requests 2 CT scans every six months and has a wait and see attitude. I'm getting to where I don't want repeated scans because that doesn't sound healthy, but I don't want to take a heavy course of antibiotics either. I eat well and exercise so this condition doesn't affect my life at this point but my concern is waiting until it does when something might have been done to prevent a worsened condition. Thoughts?
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Yes you are totally right Sue! After you sent this to me I thought about it and abtibiotics should really only be used if you have a reason to use them. It's why we have so many problems now with antibiotics not working; it's because they've been overused and abused. I'm only thinking because I don't ever want this to return, but I know they're going to be watching me and doing periodic scans and the cultures. So if it does return it does and at least they'll catch it early. There is some doubt whether this actually ever even goes away completely. I think it just hides and when it gets an opportunity it grows. But you're completely right. I agree with you 100%!
Thanks for your mail and reminding all of us that we shouldn't be using these antibiotics if we don't need them.