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What safe hobbies can I do while having NTM/MAC?

Posted by cheb @cheb, 23 hours ago

I would like to find hobbies that are safe for me to do, since I have been diagnosed with non-tuberculin, mycobacteria avium complex. My biggest hobby prior to diagnosis was plants and avid gardening. I was told I should not be gardening, weeding, potting or re-potting plants. I also love to cook, but I was told I should wear a mask while cooking, due to the steam. This has been extremely hard and I have been very depressed and do not have a very good outlook for my future anymore.

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | 20 hours ago

@cheb What? Who told you no cooking? If you are afraid of NTM from the steam, Dr Joe Falkinham has tested steam from boiling pots and found none. I can't figure what the other risks might be?

As for gardening- prudent precautions are the word. Touching NTM will not infect you. Wet soil before handling or digging to minimize dust. Turn dusty tasks like dumping soil or mulch over to a helper or wear a mask. Leave garden shoes outside or at the door (good advice for all the crud dirty shoes bring in.) I have gardened extensively for 8+ years with bronchiectasis and formerly MAC without getting reinfected. Similar dust precautions with house plants and I water carefully without splashing.

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2 replies
Profile picture for galec
galec | @galec | 9 hours ago
In reply to @sueinmn "@cheb What? Who told you no cooking? If you are afraid of NTM from the steam,..." + (show)
Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor @sueinmn

@cheb What? Who told you no cooking? If you are afraid of NTM from the steam, Dr Joe Falkinham has tested steam from boiling pots and found none. I can't figure what the other risks might be?

As for gardening- prudent precautions are the word. Touching NTM will not infect you. Wet soil before handling or digging to minimize dust. Turn dusty tasks like dumping soil or mulch over to a helper or wear a mask. Leave garden shoes outside or at the door (good advice for all the crud dirty shoes bring in.) I have gardened extensively for 8+ years with bronchiectasis and formerly MAC without getting reinfected. Similar dust precautions with house plants and I water carefully without splashing.

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@sueinmn thank you! I was unclear on house plants. I have just 4 but was thinking I needed to get rid of them.

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ingrid1947 | @ingrid1947 | 8 hours ago

My ID Dr. said wear a mask for gardening and and any outdoor activities where you are sitting up dirt or dust (including raking leaves.) He said house plants are ok if you aren't disturbing the soil. I have rocks at the top of mine which prevents that.

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Profile picture for cheb
cheb | @cheb | 6 hours ago
In reply to @sueinmn "@cheb What? Who told you no cooking? If you are afraid of NTM from the steam,..." + (show)
Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor @sueinmn

@cheb What? Who told you no cooking? If you are afraid of NTM from the steam, Dr Joe Falkinham has tested steam from boiling pots and found none. I can't figure what the other risks might be?

As for gardening- prudent precautions are the word. Touching NTM will not infect you. Wet soil before handling or digging to minimize dust. Turn dusty tasks like dumping soil or mulch over to a helper or wear a mask. Leave garden shoes outside or at the door (good advice for all the crud dirty shoes bring in.) I have gardened extensively for 8+ years with bronchiectasis and formerly MAC without getting reinfected. Similar dust precautions with house plants and I water carefully without splashing.

Jump to this post

@sueinmn Thank you!! I have worn a mask while cooking and it's miserable. I'll stop doing that. When I do garden tasks outside. which isn't very often anymore, I wear a mask. I have been doing my own indoor seed-starting for years, but very sadly, I'm giving it up. This will be the first winter I'm not doing it. As far as potting/repotting houseplants, I would need someone else to do that for me. I moved away from my family and friends 3 yrs ago, to be closer to my granddaughter. I don't know anyone well enough to ask them to help me with that, except my daughter. She is SO busy I hesitate to ask her. Thanks for the advice!

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