Fibrocavitary disease MAC
Hey all I have posted here before, diagnosed with Mac fibrocavitary disease started on the big 3 once again about 3 months ago, treatment seemed to be going good apart from the constant shortness of breath my lung function test came back at only 65 percent. I'm only 27 years old so it's quite scary thinking I won't make it 10 more years or feeling like I won't, had a major setback which has made me feel hopeless a collapsed lung on the left side where my 13.5 cm cavity is and other little cavities, also have damage in my right lung that's not to the extent of the left but still damaged. I have been in hospital for 8 days now with a chest tube and it doesn't seem to be healing on its own... Blood patch will be tried tomorrow if that doesn't work valve placement but if that also doesn't work surgery will be the next option, I am high risk for surgery so trying to avoid that even though I am only 27 and apart from this lung condition am otherwise healthy, having the lung function only 65 percent when it should be well above 80-90 I'm so scared about this, I have always been worried about not being able to breathe and of course I get hit with this unfortunate infection that affects my breathing. I'm just looking for someone to relate to and who understands how scary this is.... I don't want to die I feel like I will never be able to function properly with this level of breathlessness it's all I think about.... I have 3 young children I want to be around for I'm always crying feeling like this will never get better, even with some sort of pulmonary rehab I feel like it won't help. Please anyone who has some positive storys about beating this and having declined lung function but managed to still be active and not breathless constantly with this level of lung function ☹️ I'm so sorry for the long post but I feel so hopeless
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the MAC & Bronchiectasis Support Group.
Connect

@alyssa999 I am so sorry to hear your situation and how you are feeling right now. I am not a success story....yet....but I do have cavitary MAC so I understand some of your condition. 27 is very young to be dealing with this but on the other hand, your youth may be on your side. Please try to think positive and take things one day at a time. I will keep you in my prayers.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsHi, Sorry you're going through this. Can you say more about your treatment and where? Are you being treated at a bronchiectasis/NTM center? There are about 25 in the USA. Have you been thoroughly worked up for CF and immune deficiencies et al? Sounds like acute illness is keeping your lung function down. Once you get past this it's quite possible to return to a baseline. Before this episode were you in the habit of practicing airway clearance?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@scoop I live in Australia and seeing an infectious disease specialist at a local hospital outpatients clinic, have had all those tests and all came back negative no underlying lung condition. I never got told or shown how to do airway clearance I didn't even know it was a thing.... Thank you for replying
@alyssa999
One of the best resources on bronchiectasis is from Australia. I read somewhere there is an increased incidence due to the dusty environment in some parts, especially among indigenous people. I see that there a an upcoming conference in Brisbane in October.
There are some others here from Australia. Maybe you could write a post. Also, a wonderful resource on NTM disease is NTMinfo.org . The organization might have some resources to point you towards in Australia.
https://bronchiectasis.com.au
https://bronchiectasis.com.au/physiotherapy/ntm-symposium-brisbane
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions