1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

Natural remedies for MAC

Posted by med08 @med08, Sep 30, 2022

Some have posted they use Chinese herbs and acupuncture to help with MAC. Which herbs and what part of body do you get acupuncture and for what specifically?

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BlueSplashGirl/ Carolyn | @bluesplashgirl | Oct 1, 2022

Hi Med08,
That is a big question. Each time I go to my acupuncturist there are different meridians that are addressed depending on my "pulses" at the time of my appointment. Since acupuncture and herbs are a holistic approach they address whole body which is ever-changing. Going monthly and sometimes weekly supported my body while I was on the Big 3. (I have my AAS in East/West therapies and Traditional Chinese Medicine is way too vast and complicated to do it for myself.) I hope this helps in some small way.

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med08 | @med08 | Oct 1, 2022

So depending on what was going on each time you went you addressed it accordingly. Makes sense. I was hoping there was some herbs I could have made into a tincture that helped with MAC specifically.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Oct 1, 2022
In reply to @med08 "So depending on what was going on each time you went you addressed it accordingly. Makes..." + (show)
@med08

So depending on what was going on each time you went you addressed it accordingly. Makes sense. I was hoping there was some herbs I could have made into a tincture that helped with MAC specifically.

Jump to this post

Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to your question. There have been a number of small studies of herbal combinations to fight TB or MAC, but not insufficient detail to suggest any particular one ought to be used. There are also some ongoing studies, mostly in mice & rats, of herbs, microphages and other emerging therapies.

So, are there any herbs you could use? Maybe...if I were in your situation, I would consult with formally educated practitioner of Oriental Medicine. Although their diagnostic process is very different to what you are used to, some are willing to work with Western medicine in a complementary role.

I have seen both traditonalists and those who are more open to dual treatments, and find myself more comfortable with the dual approach. I share my current diagnosis, all health conditions, and a list of all medications (Rx and OTC) and supplements I take. Then they do their examination and treatment, and we work together to be sure any herbs are safe with my other meds.

All that said, acupuncture/Oriental medicine has helped me deal with many conditions over the years, but I have had to use Western medicine for joint replacement and to treat my MAC infection.

Have you tried acupuncture and herbal medicine for any condition before?
Sue
Sue

REPLY
3 replies
med08 | @med08 | Oct 1, 2022
In reply to @sueinmn "Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to your question. There have been a number of small..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to your question. There have been a number of small studies of herbal combinations to fight TB or MAC, but not insufficient detail to suggest any particular one ought to be used. There are also some ongoing studies, mostly in mice & rats, of herbs, microphages and other emerging therapies.

So, are there any herbs you could use? Maybe...if I were in your situation, I would consult with formally educated practitioner of Oriental Medicine. Although their diagnostic process is very different to what you are used to, some are willing to work with Western medicine in a complementary role.

I have seen both traditonalists and those who are more open to dual treatments, and find myself more comfortable with the dual approach. I share my current diagnosis, all health conditions, and a list of all medications (Rx and OTC) and supplements I take. Then they do their examination and treatment, and we work together to be sure any herbs are safe with my other meds.

All that said, acupuncture/Oriental medicine has helped me deal with many conditions over the years, but I have had to use Western medicine for joint replacement and to treat my MAC infection.

Have you tried acupuncture and herbal medicine for any condition before?
Sue
Sue

Jump to this post

Thanks Sue for always answering everyone’s questions. I know there is no simple answer. I was just asking for those who have posted they use acupuncture and herbal medicine, What do they use. I see a functional medicine doctor and have used acupuncture, but not for MAC. Nobody knows much about this disease. So those who have been dealing with MAC and have posted they use Chinese herbs and acupuncture, I would appreciate specifics in their experience.

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lweirdo1 | @lweirdo1 | Oct 2, 2022

Hey if there are some I'll be one of the first to sign up! All of the medical experts I've been seeing don't seem to be able to send me in the right direction. I'll try anything at this point.

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BlueSplashGirl/ Carolyn | @bluesplashgirl | Oct 3, 2022

If you are in the Twin Cities or South MN, send me a message and I will give you the contact for a wonderful acupuncturist.

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ritapearl | @ritapearl | Jul 1, 2023
In reply to @sueinmn "Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to your question. There have been a number of small..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to your question. There have been a number of small studies of herbal combinations to fight TB or MAC, but not insufficient detail to suggest any particular one ought to be used. There are also some ongoing studies, mostly in mice & rats, of herbs, microphages and other emerging therapies.

So, are there any herbs you could use? Maybe...if I were in your situation, I would consult with formally educated practitioner of Oriental Medicine. Although their diagnostic process is very different to what you are used to, some are willing to work with Western medicine in a complementary role.

I have seen both traditonalists and those who are more open to dual treatments, and find myself more comfortable with the dual approach. I share my current diagnosis, all health conditions, and a list of all medications (Rx and OTC) and supplements I take. Then they do their examination and treatment, and we work together to be sure any herbs are safe with my other meds.

All that said, acupuncture/Oriental medicine has helped me deal with many conditions over the years, but I have had to use Western medicine for joint replacement and to treat my MAC infection.

Have you tried acupuncture and herbal medicine for any condition before?
Sue
Sue

Jump to this post

Sue, as I told you before I had a bad reaction to the big three two years ago.I passed out and tore my rotator cup. Since then I Ave used airway clearance.Just visited the Bronchiectasis,NTM Center at NYU Langone They now say Big3 plus Amicasin. To me the side effects are worse than the disease and the results. I have been considering Kampo medicine but am not sure if will help independent of macrolides. Ritapearl

REPLY
2 replies
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jul 1, 2023
In reply to @ritapearl "Sue, as I told you before I had a bad reaction to the big three two..." + (show)
@ritapearl

Sue, as I told you before I had a bad reaction to the big three two years ago.I passed out and tore my rotator cup. Since then I Ave used airway clearance.Just visited the Bronchiectasis,NTM Center at NYU Langone They now say Big3 plus Amicasin. To me the side effects are worse than the disease and the results. I have been considering Kampo medicine but am not sure if will help independent of macrolides. Ritapearl

Jump to this post

Ritapearl - What is Kampo medicine?
Sue
PS - My Grandma's name was Rubypearl - I always loved it!

REPLY
1 reply
Renee | @rchildress | Jul 2, 2023
In reply to @ritapearl "Sue, as I told you before I had a bad reaction to the big three two..." + (show)
@ritapearl

Sue, as I told you before I had a bad reaction to the big three two years ago.I passed out and tore my rotator cup. Since then I Ave used airway clearance.Just visited the Bronchiectasis,NTM Center at NYU Langone They now say Big3 plus Amicasin. To me the side effects are worse than the disease and the results. I have been considering Kampo medicine but am not sure if will help independent of macrolides. Ritapearl

Jump to this post

I agree that it sounds like the side effects are worse than the disease therefore I am one that believes that I would rather live a good quality of life than a horrible quantity of life. I am working on my immune system to fight this. I am taking B Complex shots and several other immune building things on top of the one antibiotic that everyone says I shouldn’t take by itself I have spoken to 5 doctors and have also been referred to an Infectious Diseases doctor that I am currently waiting to hear from for an appointment. One doctor said to do nothing and recheck in 6 months. The 4 other doctors say that the 3 med cocktail is the chosen choice to kill this bug but understand that the side effects are sometimes very unpleasant and also can cause permanent damage to other organs. Therefore, at this stage I am reading all I can to figure this out and this group is absolutely wonderful. I am feeling great and have lots of energy. I am a widow and I live on an acreage that I mow and keep looking nice by myself without any problem. I would like to know any remedies that people have tried to avoid taking horrible drugs with horrible side effects.
I did get a nebulizer and am using 7% saline but still not coughing up anything. I would like to know any other suggestions of what to do to help except take more drugs. Maybe a trip to Hawaii. Lol
Thanks everyone

REPLY
3 replies
karissy | @karissy | Jul 2, 2023
In reply to @rchildress "I agree that it sounds like the side effects are worse than the disease therefore I..." + (show)
@rchildress

I agree that it sounds like the side effects are worse than the disease therefore I am one that believes that I would rather live a good quality of life than a horrible quantity of life. I am working on my immune system to fight this. I am taking B Complex shots and several other immune building things on top of the one antibiotic that everyone says I shouldn’t take by itself I have spoken to 5 doctors and have also been referred to an Infectious Diseases doctor that I am currently waiting to hear from for an appointment. One doctor said to do nothing and recheck in 6 months. The 4 other doctors say that the 3 med cocktail is the chosen choice to kill this bug but understand that the side effects are sometimes very unpleasant and also can cause permanent damage to other organs. Therefore, at this stage I am reading all I can to figure this out and this group is absolutely wonderful. I am feeling great and have lots of energy. I am a widow and I live on an acreage that I mow and keep looking nice by myself without any problem. I would like to know any remedies that people have tried to avoid taking horrible drugs with horrible side effects.
I did get a nebulizer and am using 7% saline but still not coughing up anything. I would like to know any other suggestions of what to do to help except take more drugs. Maybe a trip to Hawaii. Lol
Thanks everyone

Jump to this post

Not Hawaii . I was told that the soil in Hawaii is full of MAC and that is where numerous people have MAC. Doctor said that’s one place not to vacation with this disease.

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