Can a CT Scan improve without meds and no sputum?

There's no way of really knowing. Anecdotally, I've read both accounts, improvement with only ACTs et al and worsening with only ACTs el al. When I last met with pulmonary he said every now and then I'll need a CT scan as people can feel "fine" and yet on scan things look worse. Being a regular reader here, it seems that *some* but not all have experienced side effects from the NTM cocktail. It's within the realm of possible alternatives that you will not experience side effects. If you do experience side effects there are things you can do to mitigate them. I guess the decision is best left among you and your doctors. Sorry to be so vague.

Everytiime I either get an xray or CT every 6 months i pray there is improvement but images look the same.
I am grateful there is no progression so far.
Good luck!

Asymptomatic MAC patient here, on the big three for one year now. . . . . chest xrays and CT scans show no changes, doctor says my images will always show battle scars . . . . .so my question is. . . . how will they know when i can stop the drugs, how will they see changes or improvement. I have no sputum to culture. If i stop the antibiotics, will i progress to BE? I do have lung nodules.

I have bronchiectasis and Mac diagnosed in 2023. My CT shows stable BE and improved tree in bud nodules. My PFT has improved. I do not nebulize saline because my pulmonologist, ID Dr. and ENT all said it was too harsh and told me not to. I’ve wondered if I should but are following their guidance. I take 600 mg of Mucinex 2 x a day, Albuterol inhaler 2 x a day and use an acapella 2 x a day. My pulmonologist suggested B complex vitamins but I haven’t gotten any yet. I haven’t started treatment since I feel good and aren’t having symptoms thankfully. Stable is good.

My CT scan showed improvement from May to November of 2024 without doing anything. All nodules decreased in size. But now, I have most of the Mycobacterium Abscesses symptoms and will be starting the antibiotics as soon as the order goes through. I also have a CT scan scheduled, so will know soon how it's progressed. My ID doctor also told me to stop the 7% nebulizing twice a day and go to 3.5% once per day. She also told me the Arikayce can take up to a month to get, most likely due to insurance. If your MAC is not resistant to Azithromycin, consider yourself very lucky. Do not take a Zpak (or and macrolide) for a secondary infection, you don't want the MAC to become macrolide resistant. Good luck! Kathy

The same is great!! I would love that!

Wishing you all the best. I hope the arikayce is easy to tolerate

That's amazing that there is no progression. Have you been on medication like antibiotics, or only airway clearance techniques?

It's so hard when there are so many questions. If you don't produce sputum, are they likely to do a bronchoscopy, and stop the treatment if your cultures are negative? It's great that it is not progressing and scans remain the same!

Thank you!