Mac + lung cavity

I had a cavity that would not heal. I tried using Red Light Therapy and after 3 months use, the cavity was healed. I can't swear that it was due to the light therapy, but it says it helps Bronchiectasis and COPD. I took a break from it and developed another cavity so started using it again consistently for about 3 months now so I'll see what the next CT scan shows. My sputum from my daily nebulizer use has decreased significantly with its use. I was diagnosed in 2018 at NJH in Denver and have been able to avoid antibiotic therapy...so far. My tests have been inconsistent.

What is red light therapy and can you link to the red light machine you use?

HI Suzanne, You are in exactly the situation where none of us likes to be with this disease - getting worse and getting inconsistent guidance from your docs.

As for being afraid of the antibiotics, Have you read the comments in this discussion?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/macntm-is-different-for-everyone-treatment-might-be-different-too/

There is definitely a time and a place for antibiotics. I will liken taking them to a cancer patient having surgery only, radiation, chemotherapy or a combination of the three. Some slow-growing or early stage cancers can be treated with one method only. Others require a more aggressive approach to knock them out. There are side effects to treating, and then there is the very real side effect of not treating - spreading cancer, maybe even death.

So it is with MAC/NTM. Sometimes airway clearance with airway meds and/or saline can knock the infection down or out. Sometimes it doesn't work, and the antibiotics need to be considered. Yes, there are side effects, but failing to treat when needed has really bad side effects too - potential loss of all or part of infected lungs, need for a lung transplant, or if the infection invades too far, even (VERY rarely) death. So it is a balancing act.

This discussion contains links to some excellent resources that discuss the stages of MAC/NTM and the protocols on when to treat and when to watch and wait.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/resources-for-the-abcs-on-bronchiectasis-and-mac-ntm/

You have told us your doctors are not specific on how much to neb, but what have they recommended using in the nebulizer? And have they prescribed a daily routine of airway clearance for getting the mucus out? It is the lovely, warm, moist breeding ground for bacteria in our lungs.
Sue

Sue, what is meant by the infection invades too far?

What is red light therapy and can you link to the red light machine you use?

I would also like this link. Happy to hear it has helped you.

Lung infections tend to start out small, and may simmer for a long time before you become symptomatic. Most type of MAC grow very slowly, and can be watched before beginning treatment - BUT they must be monitored regularly and you should be doing airway clearance, nebulizing saline, eating healthy and seeing your doc regularly for monitoring via scans & cultures - waiting without monitoring or doing anything to reduce the level of infection is not usually a wise approach.
Progression includes more & larger nodules, more lobes of the lungs affected, and eventually cavities - which are actually destruction of lung tissue.
Are you waiting and watching? What strategies are you using to reduce the MAC infection?
Sue