1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

enormous sputum clearance all the time

Posted by dispatchpat @dispatchpat, Jul 12, 2023

I’m finally seeing an ID doc end of this month. I have slight bronchiectasis and MAC. I have endless white/clear sputum. it gurgles in my chest and easily comes past my esophagus all the time. I barely need to start my autogenic drainage, it’s just always ready to be expelled. I do saline nebulizing after a quick albuterol dose every day just in the hopes that the saline is killing some bacteria. This has been my story since November diagnosis. I am 65 and very athletic, my oxygen saturation is excellent. I have two lines of thought. I wonder if you can help me work through. 1) I am leaning towards diving into the big three protocol with fingers crossed, and a hopeful attitude that I will be a lucky one and sail through without terrible side effects. this decision is being prompted by my understanding that chronic inflammation is a terrible enemy in this fight. do you think I am balancing my considerations intelligently? And, 2) when I do my airway clearance, at the end of the saline dose, I’ll extend my expelling time with autogenic drainage and push this whole process close to an hour. This easily produces a half a cup! Then, I just get bored, distracted, fed up and walk away. I’m good for the day, as far as not needing to cough, which has been a godsend. But I am constantly producing all day long, and either subtly or not so subtly expelling it. I’m starting to think I should have a marathon session and just keep going with the autogenic drainage… Is that crazy? To sit for hours and just expel expel expel? Thanks as always for your collective insight!

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pacathy | @pacathy | Oct 31 3:54pm
In reply to @sharondig "hello! i’m currently on all 3 antibiotics and like you am suffering the same. did you..." + (show)
@sharondig

hello!
i’m currently on all 3 antibiotics and like you am suffering the same.
did you go off the rifampin?

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I think and hope this recent thread might have information you’re looking for. There are tips on managing the meds, from timing to probiotics. Feel free to start a new thread or ask questions of those who posted.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/just-started-a-week-ago-the-big-three-and-feel-so-very-sick/

REPLY
sharondig | @sharondig | Nov 1 8:12am
In reply to @pacathy "Hi Sharon, I think you’re new to Connect. There is a wonderful group and I think..." + (show)
@pacathy

Hi Sharon, I think you’re new to Connect. There is a wonderful group and I think you’ll find helpful info here.
I have bronchiectasis and was thought to have MAC based on CT’s, but cultures were negative. Therefore, I have no experience with the meds used. I’m replying to bump the thread because many here have been treated and the post you replied to is old. Few questions for you:
which organism grew out of your cultures? Do you have cavities on Ct?
Would you share a bit more about the problems you’re experiencing and how long you’ve been on them?. Some people seem to tolerate them well and others cut back.
I’ll search for some threads that might help you.

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Hello! Thank you so much for responding, that’s so nice of you. I have had MAC for 5 years but just started treatment 1 month ago. Seem to be tolerating all except Rifampin causing terrible stomach issues. I take probiotics in the morning and am on the Big 3 3 days per week. I take the Azitramycin with food for lunch, take rifampin 1 hour before dinner and the Ethambutol after dinner.
Generally am running to the bathroom about 1-2 hrs after taking Rifampin so not sure what i’m doing wrong. As far as the bronchectasis i’ve had that for many years. i do not have any symptoms from either. My sputum culture had MAC all over it so pretty easy diagnosis, My ID and pulmonologist have been watching it for 5 years wax and wane however i got Covid in December last year and my CT scan in May came back yucky. Some cavitary issues, tree in bud etc. I never cough or have trouble breathing etc. Just trying to get rid of this thing and keep my lungs as healthy as possible!

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Nov 1 9:23am
In reply to @sharondig "Hello! Thank you so much for responding, that’s so nice of you. I have had MAC..." + (show)
@sharondig

Hello! Thank you so much for responding, that’s so nice of you. I have had MAC for 5 years but just started treatment 1 month ago. Seem to be tolerating all except Rifampin causing terrible stomach issues. I take probiotics in the morning and am on the Big 3 3 days per week. I take the Azitramycin with food for lunch, take rifampin 1 hour before dinner and the Ethambutol after dinner.
Generally am running to the bathroom about 1-2 hrs after taking Rifampin so not sure what i’m doing wrong. As far as the bronchectasis i’ve had that for many years. i do not have any symptoms from either. My sputum culture had MAC all over it so pretty easy diagnosis, My ID and pulmonologist have been watching it for 5 years wax and wane however i got Covid in December last year and my CT scan in May came back yucky. Some cavitary issues, tree in bud etc. I never cough or have trouble breathing etc. Just trying to get rid of this thing and keep my lungs as healthy as possible!

Jump to this post

Hi, I too had a very hard time with Rifampin the first month, then it seemed like my body adjusted a little. I took it at bedtime so I slept through most of the nausea.

You say you have been watching for years - are you also doing airway clearance? It has been found to be very important in knocking down infections by getting out the hidden mucus.

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