Discussions

Hi,

Recently found out I have MAC again (successfully treated m.avium species 10 years ago) but now have intracellular species and seems to be macrolide resistant. I have been looking at some very negative outcomes online for this scenario and wondering is there is anyone else out these who is experiencing this and what to expect moving forward for treatment plan .

I have had colonized Pseudomonas for 2 years. Recently I took a strong dose of Levaquin (after having no antibiotics for the past 2 years) for pneumonia and the last sputum culture indicated no presence of Pseudomonas.

I fear a reoccurrence and am asking others to comment on this smart and persistent bacteria.

I have heart issues while on treatment. I'm considering stopping treatment. Anybody here just watching and keeping an eye on MAC with out treatment?

For the first time, my culture showed the presence of Pseudomonas. :-(

How do I weig the pros and cons of to attempt eradication?

The link below from the CDC offers detailed information on this subject: https://www.cdc.gov/ncird/whats-new/reduce-your-risk-from-respiratory-viruses-this-holiday-season.html#cdc_generic_section_2-now-is-the-time-to-take-action

This is one term that is not frequently spoken about. Below is information on rhinoviruses from the CDC:https://www.cdc.gov/rhinoviruses/about/index.html

I was on 6 rounds of Steroids, including IV, for a severe mold allergy. Then diagnosed with MAC after.

Hi - I have had a history of bronchiectasis since 2005. The thing the doctors told me was to be careful if you catch a cold or flu as that can turn into pneumonia. Fast forward to fall of 2014, I had been having night sweats for years but now I felt like I was getting a fever all the time, that kind of light headed feeling, than the mucus increased. I went to the Dr. and was just told I have a bug, take some mucus meds. The low grade fever stayed, along with the extra mucus, back to the dr., this time some prednisone. The fevers went a bit higher and I started just sleeping a lot between coughing fits. Dr. number 3 gave me a script for some super cough meds and ceftin antibiotics. I demanded a chest X-ray due to wanting to make sure pneumonia was not setting in, Dr. said if you are not better in a week than we will X-ray, I told him no we need to do it now!. So I got the X-ray and yes I had pneumonia in both lungs. I was sent for some blood work which said I tested positive for mycoplasma pneumonia. The ceftin seemed to be helping and I started feeling better. Even the cough lessened. I was telling people I have coughed for 10 years and now it is like a bad memory, why hadn't I taken ceftin before this, it is like a miracle. 7 days after I finished the ceftin all the symptoms returned. This was repeated 5 more times when I said this is crazy and found the most amazing ID doctor. Her first ? is why are you here, I told her I was tired of being so sick.....she took my history did an exam ordered some test and said " I believe you have MAC" - followed up with pulmonary Dr., had bronchoscopy and that confirmed the NTM MAI - Than it was the wait for what meds. to take. I continued to take the ceftin until the big 3 were chosen. This all took from Nov. 2014 till May 13th 2015 - "1 year ago today" - I have had 2 neg cultures for MAI, one did show aspergillus which i am not being treated for as It is probably colonized and not causing any further problems. - During this year of treatment I did have an episode of coughing up blood, but for the fast action of my pulmonary Dr. within a week I had another bronchoscopy and a PICC line to treat a very bad pseudomonas infection. This has been a roller coaster of a ride with leaning how to cope with this physically and mentally. I am still learning.......

Norma

Is there something I can do to prevent infections and at the same time help me breathe better

I've heard many people refer to the term "MAC" when they talk about NTM. What is MAC? What's the difference between MAC and NTM?