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I have NTM Bronchiecstatis. Is NTM always present in my lungs?
I was on a two combination antibiotic for 3 months after bronchoscopy revealed non tuberculous mycobacteria. I am currently on azithromycin every other day and saline nebulizer/acapella treatment 2 times a day. I live in a rural area and hike, garden, and have an outdoor wood burning soaking tub. I wear a KN95 mask when I garden and in the soaking tub. I’ve had one flare recently(sick grandson) and was on a 10 day amoxicillin treatment.
I’m confused about why I am susceptible to NTM and wonder if it’s always in my lungs waiting to cause havoc. I periodically have chest heaviness but I do not produce sputum. My last CT scan in April showed improvement. I apologize for the lengthy message…. Any thoughts are appreciated!
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@kahkej Welcome to Mayo Connect, I see you have been "hanging around" here for a while but this is your first post, and it is a really good one.
Lets' start with your last question first "...I’m confused about why I am susceptible to NTM and wonder if it’s always in my lungs waiting to cause havoc..."
Your lungs have a condition called Bronchiectasis - a disease that disrupts their function and leaves you susceptible to infection. Not only NTM (also called MAC) but Pseudomonas and other bacteria and viruses too.
Here is a good explanation of bronchiectasis from a respected source:
https://www.bronchiectasisandntminitiative.org/Learn-More/I-am-a-Patient-or-Caregiver/Bronchiectasis-FAQs
If you have not seen this excellent explanation of NTM, take a look at it:
https://www.ntminfo.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/NTMSupplementalGuide.pdf
It sounds like you are on the right path doing airway clearance, and the saline has been shown to help "tamp down" if not eliminate NTM over time for some people.
The only concern I would have is the short period of time you took antibiotics - this does not follow the usual treatment protocol, which is to treat with 3, and sometimes 4 antibiotics until 2 negative sputum cultures, and then for an additional 6 or 12 months.
Do you know how familiar your pulmonologist is with treating Bronchiectasis and NTM?
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1 ReactionThank you so much for your reply. The supplemental guide is very helpful and informative. I’m going to save it for future reference! My pulmonologist is experienced with bronchiectasis, but unfortunately, he is not forthcoming with information unless I ask a question. I cannot produce a sputum culture so I do not have the luxury of knowing whether I have negative results. So, I don’t really know if my lungs are harboring NTM and this is worrisome to me. I plan on asking this question to my pulmonologist via the portal.
Again, thank you for your response. I truly appreciate it!