1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

Does Stomach Acid Kill MAC?

Posted by mch (Marycarol) @mch, Feb 22, 2023

So far, only seeing mixed messages as to whether stomach acid kills MAC (as it does other bacteria). I have switched to using LifeStraw bottle and pitcher to filter the majority of water I consume/use. But as I'm one of those who produce very little sputum when trying to do airway clearance or during occasional coughing, and wind up swallowing most of it, I'm concerned the benefit of all my filtering efforts is being degraded. I also have GERD, take Pantoprazole 40mg/day and Pepcid as needed; and I use a mattress elevator for sleeping on incline. I realize the PPI medication reduces acid, but I would not consider modifying my GERD treatment unless I knew for sure the stomach acid would help reduce MAC in the stomach.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the MAC & Bronchiectasis Support Group.

fdixon63 | @fdixon63 | Feb 26, 2023
In reply to @vonniefollies "My husband and I have been contemplating getting a split King bed. Please share the brand..." + (show)
@vonniefollies

My husband and I have been contemplating getting a split King bed. Please share the brand of your bed. There are zillion brands out there, and it’s hard to narrow the field! Thanks

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Hi @bluesplashgirl. Finally got the information you wanted. The brand for our bed is Tempur-pedic. My side of the bed is the ProAdept Med Hybrid TXL--more soft. We've had the bed almost 2 years and there have been no issues--love it. The warranty is very generous. Good luck.
https://www.tempurpedic.com/

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raney | @raney | Feb 26, 2023
In reply to @kathyhg "My respirologist was adamant that I not take Pantoprazole, which my gastroenterologist was going to prescribe..." + (show)
@kathyhg

My respirologist was adamant that I not take Pantoprazole, which my gastroenterologist was going to prescribe to me.

Has this happened to anyone else?

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I do not like taking pantoprazole, but my gastro doc said I would need to take it the rest of my life.
He says that it is not a PRN med in my case. But.. I am going to discuss it with him again at the next appointment. My pulmo doc has never mentioned it.

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cate123456 | @cate123456 | Feb 27, 2023

On the NTM forum, Dr. Falkinham has shown a study that MAC is not killed by stomach acid. So I have asked if it’s then possible for MAC to colonize in the intestines or elsewhere. I have not received an answer, but will post here if I do.

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scoop | @scoop | Feb 23 3:04pm

Medical Management of GERD is a fantastic presentation by Dr. Huitt, a National Jewish ID doctor. She's since retired but leaves behind many pearls of advice and wisdom in this Youtube presentation. It's long but can be sped up.

Frankly, I was alarmed by warnings around long term use of PPIs. It is Dr. Huitt's presentation and discussion with my doctors that gave me the impetus to wean from the PPI that I was on for years. Along with PPI weaning, I became super strict with no eating/drinking 3 hours before bed along with avoidance of GERD triggers. I am almost to the end of the weaning period, about 9 weeks. Since hubby was not ready for an adjustable we raised the head of the bed and I also sleep on a wedge. Total sleeping angle is about 30 degrees as recommended by Dr. Huitt.

An unexpected result of this weaning? My sinuses have never felt better. I believe some stomach acid through aspiration was reaching my sinuses and causing chronic issues not to mention my lungs. Plus, these measures help to reduce the likelihood of getting MAC, pseudomonas infections etc.

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