Surgery in NJH without IV

Posted by helen1000 @helen1000, 1 day ago

Good evening,
My pulmonologist suggested an upper right segment lung surgery for my cavity. It was thick walled, 1.8cm three years ago, growing to 2.1cm last year and then shrank to 1.8cm after 9 months of antibiotics and stayed in that size for 4 months until now. The wall seems thinner though.
My sputum was negative after six months antibiotics, no cough, normal lung function, no side effects from medication. I wonder whether I need a surgery to remove my upper right segment where cavity exists. It is so scary!!!
Or shall I wait for another year to take the surgery? Some patients said their cavity collapsed after 2.5 years of med. I am just not sure whether I will be as lucky. My cavity seems stubborn and stable in size.

Does anyone have the lung surgery in NJH without IV amikacin? I am not sensitive to IV amikacin, but they still suggest it before & after surgery when I visited the in December 2024. I am so confused.

Thanks for all input. Really appreciate it.

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Rick | @rstel7272 | 19 hours ago

Because of my reaction to amikacin, I did not go for a second surgery at NJH 3 years ago. I still have a cavity. I asked several Dr's about surgery without the amikacin iv but never got an answer.

helen1000 | @helen1000 | 18 hours ago

In reply to @rstel7272 "Because of my reaction to amikacin, I did not go for a second surgery at NJH..." + (show)

NYU also offers phage therapy for an NTM infection, not MAC though. I hope the technology is progressing so we can all benefit from it rather than an invasive procedure.

bayarea58 | @bayarea58 | 14 hours ago

In reply to @helen1000 "NYU also offers phage therapy for an NTM infection, not MAC though. I hope the technology..." + (show)

@helen1000 I am not yet in your shoes but concerned I may be shortly. Interested what others have to say on the subject. Practically speaking, it makes sense to me to resect a persist cavity but I don’t know all the pros and cons of that decision making process. Not all cavities are well positioned for resection so it can be considered fortunate that yours is, though surgery is never an easy decision. Hopefully others with experiences on point will share their thoughts.

helen1000 | @helen1000 | 14 hours ago

In reply to @bayarea58 "@helen1000 I am not yet in your shoes but concerned I may be shortly. Interested what..." + (show)

Mixed opinions... honestly. I am more concerned about IV Amikacin than surgery though both are super tough. My BE is so mild and I don't have any other health issues. Just bad luck to have such a stubborn cavity, sigh!~

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