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MAC, Bronchiectasis, and Pottery
Is there anyone on this support group that has had MAC, gone through the treatment and tested clear, then are able to work with pottery without getting re-infected?
I was diagnosed with MAC a couple months ago. I had started pottery classes shortly before being diagnosed. If I wear an N95 mask, is it okay for me to continue doing pottery class just once per week?
I feel like I am not allowed to do ANYthing without wearing an N95 mask. We cannot afford to pay someone to do weeding/gardening, repotting plants, deep cleaning, etc,,, How do you live like this? I read I should be wearing a mask while doing simple things like filling the sink with hot water to hand wash dishes, or while cooking because of the steam. So, so , so, so many other things. I am so depressed, I don't know if I can handle living like this.
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This is a great video to watch, which I think you will find very reassuring.
https://m.youtube.com/watch
Regarding your question about Pottery and masking. From an observational standpoint and nothing scientific, there does seem to be a good bit of dust in Pottery Studios. Personally, I would mask with Pottery making. I’d also mask when working with potting soil and digging outside in the ground. But I certainly wouldn’t worry or think to mask while doing the dishes or while cooking. Have you turned your water heater up to 135 or more? That helps to eliminate NTM in our homes.
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5 Reactions@cheb First, please take a deep breath! There is a way to peacefully coexist in the world when we have bronchiectasis. You say "... I read I should be wearing a mask while doing simple things like filling the sink with hot water to hand wash dishes, or while cooking because of the steam. So, so , so, so many other things..."
Stop believing you must do everything you read, there are risks, but we also need to live our lives. Dr Jennifer Honda has great advice in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch
I have been living with bronchiectasis, asthma, and formerly pseudomonas & MAC/NTM for over 8 years (probably much longer) and at first it was overwhelming. Then my PCP and ID doc both said to me "Bronchiectasis is a disease you will live with, not die from. Take reasonable precautions and go out and live your life." That has become my mantra,
Kitchen steam? Keep your face out of it and run an exhaust fan. Let the dishes soak until the water cools, or assign the task to someone else. Turn the water heater above 130F to kill NTM in the hot water (there is much less in cold water.)
Gardening? Wet it down before you work. Only when dumping/disturbing mulch or dumping dirt do I mask.
Deep cleaning? I'm not aware of any risk there, unless you are raising a lot of dust, in which case a mask would be prudent for anyone with lung issues.
Now to your question about pottery - Yes, you can safely work with clay while wearing a mask - as often as you like. Our local studio has many older members with lung issues, from asthma to cancer, who do it. To increase safety, they also require all sanding to be done outdoors to limit dust in the air. Once fired, clay is completely safe, so applying glazes or painting carries minimal risk.
As for being treated, "beating" MAC, and stating healthy, it has been nearly 7 years since I quit antibiotics. With airway clearance and asthma management, using 0.2 micron filtered water, avoiding sick people, keeping my water heater at 130F+, and reasonable masking precautions, I have remained infection free. I care for my home, garden & small camper, volunteer, travel, paint, do fiber arts (many involving water) and hang out with friends, family & especially my grandkids.
Do not despair - we have all been where your are. Just "take reasonable precautions and go live your life"!
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6 ReactionsThank you so much for your reply. I will watch the video you sent. The pottery studio I go to does not do sanding outside. I currently have a piece I will need to sand once it's fired. Maybe I can bring that home and sand it outside there, with my mask on. I have been so stressed about this. I feel a little better, reading your response.
@scoop thanks for you reply and the video. I will definitely watch it. There is tons of dust at the studio I go to. I've been wearing an N95 mask the last 3 weeks I have gone for classes. I've also been masking while working with potting soil, or gardening. The cooking and washing dishes really struck me as over the top, but it made sense to me. Not sure what I'll do there, yet. Our water heater is turned up really high, but I don't know the exact temperature. I'll check on that. We're supposed to go on a beach vacation next week and I'm afraid to go to the beach or get in the pool. Ugh.
@cheb I’ve had Bronchiectasis for 6+ years . We go to the beach every year with our family . I play in the ocean with our grandkids and wouldn’t miss it!
We also have a pool. The only thing I avoid is our hot tub .
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4 ReactionsHappily, ocean water does not carry NTM’s due to its salinity! So have a blast at the beach!! Dr Falkinham also says outdoor swimming pools are ok because the air dilutes any NTM’s
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5 Reactions@cholash Thank you!! I'm more concerned with the MAC being affected, but that's great to know about bronchiectasis!
@sarahlynn1960 really??? That's awesome!! Thanks!
@cheb Beach = safe - NTM does not grow in ocean water.
Outdoor pool = pretty safe - any NTM is highly diluted outdoors
Indoor pool = not safe - NTM and other pathogens become concentrated in the moist air
@sueinmn how did you beat psuedanoma. ? I have psuedanoma aerigenosa in my lungs and was told once its colonized it never can be beaten.