Has anyone travelled to high altitudes with Bronchiectasis / MAC?

I was there 20 years younger than now🤣
I expect you will spend some time at intermediate elevations to acclimate. Are you hiking ?
You should try to get in the best shape possible beforehand, drink coca tea if that is offered
How are you planning to sterilize Arikayce equipment?
If you are using daily, see if ok to reduce frequency for your trip. It’s a wonderful trip and hats off to you for going despite the lung issues and logistics!

@ncalvan - I hate to discourage travel, or sound like "Negative Nellie", but unless you are accustomed to high altitude, I believe you need to do three things before January -
First, consult with your care team - although Machu Picchu is at about 8000 feet, the tourist venue of Cusco is nearly 12,000 feet - high altitude for even healthy lungs. Based on your lung capacity, and the added burden of medications, this could be a risky plan.
Second, find out IN ADVANCE where you can find medical care for your lungs if you need it. Remember, you are out of the US and may have insurance coverage issues and language barriers to getting care. And it won't be "like home"...
Third, find out if your travel insurance will cover you in the event of an emergency, since you have a preexisting condition. And remember, if you are having lung issues, commercial airlines may decline to fly you until you are medically cleared, resulting in delays and unexpected stays in an unfamiliar country.

I am saying this as someone who had serious altitude sickness at 8000 feet in Yellowstone while on the Big 3. I had previously visited there, and other mountains up to 10,000 feet with a few days of acclimatization, without any problems. I will be trying again next summer after 4 years off antibiotics, with routine O2 sats of 95-97%, but will approach the higher altitudes slowly this time.
Sue
PS My fit 30-something daughter and son-in-law both struggled with the altitude in Cusco

I ran a half marathon in high altitude, and had no problem. The race was at Lake Tahoe and I was there 2 days before the race to acclimate. I have traveled and hiked at high altitude many times and my bronchiectasis has never become worse.

I recently asked my pulmonologist the same question, he said since my lung function was ok, it should not be a problem.

Ling

I live in Colorado. I'd discourage the trip of you have breathing issues. Otherwise, measure your SPO2 frequently
and bring a portable oxygen concentrator if possible. Exertion and sleeping could be issues causing low SPO2.

@ncalvan, did you make the trip? I hope you were able to do it. I have Bronchiectasis and would love to hear how it went for you and what you learned as far as health-strategies.

I visited Machu Picchu last March, and it was absolutely amazing! I have BE & MAC, fortunately on a wait and watch approach with relatively good breathing function. I went to a travel clinic before hand and got tons of information about how to manage not just the altitude but any potential illness from food or otherwise. They gave me altitude sickness medication and I had rescue meds from my pulmonologist on hand just in case. I took the altitude medicine at half dose shortly before going above 9000 feet and chased it with 600mg ibuprofen four times a day (there is research that this helps stave off altitude sickness but you need to check with your doctor to make sure it’s OK for you). I also drank the cocoa tea everywhere. I did fine with the altitude in terms of my breathing. There was one late evening in Cusco, where the altitude did impact me, not my breathing, but I became dizzy. I requested oxygen at the hotel [they all have it and many people use it :)] and after 20 minutes was fine. I then took the full dose of the altitude medicine for the next few days before coming back down. For me, the visit to the travel clinic, and discussing the trip with my pulmonologist was extremely helpful.

This past June my current pulm MD said I would be fine w BE. But then I went to 8000 feet to hike. Took out my pulseoximeter that read 84! And we went back down. I bought an oxygen generator the next day (get an rx for tex purposes) and successfully hiked the following week. We traveled to Peru in 2017 (5 yrs after Big 3 for MAC and BE). My pulm MD at the time gave me a medication used by high altitude hikers (think Mt Everest). I need to find my records. Meanwhile I agree with this post — Machu Picchu should be ok but if you go to Cuzco be prepared! Such a wonderful city to visit!!!!!! We drove over a 14,000 ft pass on our tour. I did ok. Now 8 yrs later I never would have made it. If you are going on a tour see if the directors have oxygen tanks for travelers who get into trouble. Also be sure all your water is boiled or distilled esp if you drink the tea. . We were fortunate to have two doctors on the trip who brought cipro for at least two of us drank tea that gave us tummy troubles.

Thank you both for sharing. It’s wonderful to know that with the right planning and precautions, experiences like this are possible.

A few years ago I was lucky enough to be able to travel to Lhasa, Tibet and climb the zillion steps to the Potala Palace, former home of the Dalai Lama. At the time I had pretty bad bronchiectasis but wasn't on any treatment for it. My PCP prescribed Diamox, which I took before and during the visit to Lhasa. Worked wonderfully, while others on our trip were unable to do much of anything, due to the elevation (12,000 ft). I acclimated myself to the elevation by hiking at 8,000 ft on a mountain near my home. I strongly suggest you do something similar, if possible. But gosh, I wouldn't pass up the trip to Machu Picchu if I didn't absolutely have to. Ask your doc for Diamox and have a great trip!