Help! Positive testimonials required

@mary80... It is very scary to hear this diagnosis. If you accept treatment and follow the recommendations, you will continue to live a long life and be able to care for you children. This is not a death sentence and new information is coming out all the time. I have been free of MAC and have managed Bronchiectasis for 10 years without an exacerbation or recurrence. It was uncomfortable taking the "Big 3" antibiotics, but they worked.
I have asthma and nebulize twice a day and spend a little extra time doing postural drainage. I use this time to work on my computer. Your situation with little children is a complicating factor, since they will likely expose you to respiratory infections. Vaccinations are very important. Keeping them out of daycare may be a necessity. You have to balance your health against their need to develop immunity to colds at an early age. My children were at home until they went to kindergarten. They did catch as many colds or more than other children, but were better able to handle them at 5 years old. You can find a way to handle this situation. Please do not be afraid. You will find help with this group.

I've been fighting Mac, BX, plus cavitation & now aspergillus for 7 years and if you are a fighter, you have a fine life. Don't ignore new or worsening symptoms and get a GOOD pulminologist.

Did the MAC grow out on cultures? I ask because I was thought to have MAC by a local pulmonologist, the Mayo pulmonologist and 3 radiologists based on my CT’s. Mayo did a bronchoscopy to be certain and those cultures didn’t grow MAC. My abnormal CT’s are now thought to be due to my sinus problems..

I do have mild bronchiectasis and mild asthma. I get viruses from my young grandchildren and it takes me longer to recover than the rest of family, but I’m old. I walk regularly and have above average pulmonary function tests. I do airway clearance to keep it that way. Good luck to you!

@mary80 Have you had an immune workup? One of the causes of bronchiectasis is an immune deficiency. Insist on a thorough workup. Your pulmonologist can order a simple blood test of your pneumococcal antibodies. It's essentially a pneumococcus vaccine challenge.

Also a genetic workup for CF and primary ciliary dyskinesia. And any other risk factors as you are young to have this
I had three years of antibiotics including Arikayce and last positive culture was 21/2 years ago. Now just airway clearance and lots of exercise.
Good luck- treatment works for many and you might tolerate it more easily than those of us 60 plus!

I am 74 years old and was diagnosed with BE when I was 16. I was a classroom teacher for over 20 years and though exposed daily to kid's colds and sniffles, I managed to do just fine. The few minutes you spend doing daily airway clearance will ensure that you will be able to care for 2 children, as I did, and live a full life.

@egayle187 Thank you for sharing your experience and for the encouragement.
Can I ask you how old were you when you started the therapy?

@ pacathy Thanks for your answer. Cultures are still ongoing. I would like to hope they are negative, but my CT is unequivocal. Beonchiectasis are diffuse expecially to the whole middle lobe and lingula, which are completely actelectasic. They told me that no pathology except Mac could explain these features.

Thank you @dulwich
Can I ask you how old were you when you started therapy?

@vmorton Thanks, it’s very encouraging.