How many lung infections do u get over a year?

Has your immune system has been checked for immune deficiency, and secondly, I wonder if you have a clearance issue meaning you’re not getting your lungs cleared adequately. What strength saline are you using in your nebulizer?Do you have reflux/gerd? Or sinus disease? Both these might also contribute to ongoing infections. Are you being seen at a bronchiectasis center? There are 30 or so across the country.
https://www.bronchiectasisandntminitiative.org/Find-Care/Care-Center-Network/General-Information

For a few years I was averaging 2 or 3 infections annually, but then I went nearly a year without any issues. Then the bottom basically fell out. Since last September, sputum samples have shown three different NTMs, klebsiella twice, and a rare bacteria. An immune deficiency could be a contributing factor. Lots of antibiotics haven't done much for the wild coughing and mucus production. Airway clearance helps a bit. Best of luck to you.

Have you been treated for NTM, Klebsell and rare bacteria< ? All cleared now?

Hi there..I know the feeling of coughing and clearing sputem etc.
I also got Bronchiectasis in 2020, I had never heard of it before that...I am 70 now, 2 stints in hospital of 8 days and countless drips of antibiotics, chest physio, inhalers, nebulizers.....I had several chest infections lasting months...
But since Dec.8 2024...I came out of hospital and my pulmonologist put me on half a 500mg Azithromycin on Mon Wed Fri and a Zimbus Breezhaler every morning. I have done this religiously for 8 months with no signs of any colds, flu or chest infections....long may it last, as we are now going through our Cape Town winter....
I feel for you .....having been through this countless times myself. You feel desperate, because it does affect you socially Kindest regards Kathy

I definitely have clearance issues; I rarely get anything out when I nebulize 7% saline and levalbuterol while using a percussion vest. Only time I get anything out is when I h have an infection. I have silent reflux and do use a wedge when I sleep. I get my blood checked monthly and everything is WNL that includes my withe blood cells. I will ask my Doctor if there is a separate immune deficiency.

Thanks for the info on the centers. I will check it out. Much appreciated for replying.

I did an about a year ago that included valley fever, CF, and slew of other diseases. Not cleared. I still have PSA. and will put in another sputum sample tomorrow.

I don't have MAC, just bronchiectasis, but I've read here that some use a mucus thinning agent, such as NAC, to help. You could ask doc if a mucolytic would help.
One other suggestion I've seen is exercise after nebs, then clear. There's an Autogenic drainage app some of us use as well that coaches the holding and huff cough.
I agree with Scoop that a Center with docs familiar with bronchiectasis is invaluable. I went to Mayo when local pulmonologist went on emergency leave. He hadn't mentioned bronchiectasis or clearance.
Good luck. I had cough like that before diagnosis and treatment. It was exhausting and frustrating.

You might add an additional vial of 7% saline each session. That and long acting 1200mg of mucinex + full glass of water. This combination along with huff coughing might get things moving for you. With GERD it's important to know your triggers and stop all easting and drinking at least 3 hours before bed, 2 hours before lung clearance.

The klebsiella and the rare bacteria cleared with treatment, The NTM aquaticum wasn't treated. MAC and MAI were aggressively treated. MAI vanished from my sputum samples, but MAC continues to appear, despite eight months of antibiotics. Might soon be adding clofazamine. For now I'm taking a short break from pills for the sake of my guts.

Yours sounds like a complex situation. Are you seeing a pulmonologist who is an expert at treating Bronchiectasis and related infections?

First, there is a variant of bronchiectasis known as "dry bronchiectasis" that means the lungs seldom produce mucus. Maybe that is you? It would be a good question for your pulmonologist. I would hesitate to add more 7% saline until you have this conversation, unless you try it once and it really helps, then you could call for clearance to do it. Your prescription would also need to be updated to get more each month.

Second, when you submit a sputum sample, do you submit more than one vial, collected over 3 or more days (and stored in the refrigerator until submitted)? This helps insure the doc is seeing what is in your lungs, and not accidental contamination from your sinuses, saliva or the air.

Finally, have any of your infections being treated with antibiotics? There is a new protocol that suggests treating Pseudomonas to avoid having it colonize in your lungs, where it becomes much more difficult to clear.

Good luck, this can be a difficult path to follow.