1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

Gardening with Bronch and MAC

Posted by cate123456 @cate123456, Sep 2, 2022

I’ve been an organic gardener for decades. We grow most of our veggies, fruits, and flowers via our garden. Ironically I thought this kept us so healthy, but was probably a strong source of MAC for my lungs via all the composting, watering, manures, and messing w the soil.

I now try to wear an N95 mask when I garden. And my husband deals w the compost and most of the watering. I really hate the thought of having to give up our gardens and orchard.

Have you given up gardening, if not, what steps have you taken for MAC safety?

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

judepollack | @judepollack | Apr 13 4:26pm
In reply to @cate123456 "Thanks Saint Sue! Nice to know about the watering, as I thought the mist from watering..." + (show)
@cate123456

Thanks Saint Sue!
Nice to know about the watering, as I thought the mist from watering might be full of MAC. We are in VA and don’t need to water often as lots of rain and humidity here. I also do “no till” gardening so the soil rarely gets disturbed in the raised beds.
We also have chickens, but my husband now deals w them, and I make him wear an N95 mask even though his lungs are good.

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Thanks .. for this information. When I was at my second appoiment for possible lung transplant candidate - drs mentioned gardening and I cried. I love gardening.

I have few house plants but tried to turn one into hydroponics today - I taught hydroponics when I taught third grade. When I got Covid / RSV/ pneumonia / Flu in 22 that began my downward spiral and more pneumonia hospital vists. Hard to climb out of the hole this time and am on oxygen 24/7. 🙁
I do not have MAC .. but an being treated for a posible fungal infection… bybID doc - that my ENT found with sinus infection.

I was diagnosed in 2012. If I knew then what I know now - lots I would have done differently.

Thanks again…
Judy

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cwal | @cwal | Apr 14 6:52am

I wear a N95 mask if I work out in the yard and doing anything that stirs up soil or dust. I may not be right but the way I see it, MAC is everywhere. Whether you are out taking a walk or even in our houses. There is no getting away from it entirely. So, I just try to minimize "big" exposures and hope for the best. It's all I know that is practical to do and still live.

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lorrainewenn | @lorrainewenn | Apr 15 8:49pm
In reply to @sueinmn "Hello, I can see you have been with us on Mayo Connect for a while, and..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Hello, I can see you have been with us on Mayo Connect for a while, and this is your first post - Welcome!

When considering risk in any situation concerning airborne pathogens, unless it is something extremely toxic, the elements to assess are LENGTH of exposure, NEARNESS to the source, and CONCENTRATION of the toxin.

So digging in the dirt, with your face near it, for a relatively long time, exposes you to a higher level of the toxin. Staying in a closed building next to the source, not handling or interacting with the birds, where the airborne contaminant is highly diluted & becoming more so as it travels away from the birds, exposes you to a lower level.

It is a situation that I would be comfortable in - it pretty well describes my long term proximity to the feral chickens where I live. We took one more step to protect ourselves, we bought a well-rated HEPA air filter, sized for our home, and run it full time. One additional advantage - it protects my silly lungs from mold spores, dust mites & other things that inhabit seasonal dwellings, no matter how careful we are.

Do you have MAC or bronchiectasis?
Sue

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Are the filter connected to the furnace or a separate unit?

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1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Apr 15 9:11pm
In reply to @lorrainewenn "Are the filter connected to the furnace or a separate unit?" + (show)
@lorrainewenn

Are the filter connected to the furnace or a separate unit?

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I have both. There is a house filter attached to the HVAC and maintained to schedule by my husband, and room units in the most occupied rooms in pur home, each sized for that space. I Chang those filters twice as often as recommended.
Sue

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