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Hi,
I am newly diagnosed with bronchiectasis and NTM and am about to start treatment. I am very concerned about some of the possible adverse effects from the medications that I have been reading about. 

Real people. Real stories. A cause that matters 💙

The Bronchiectasis and NTM Association's Airways & Fairways Charity Golf Tournament will take place in Orlando, FL on May 15, 2026. At the tournament, we will feature a special Honor Wall that highlights the names and stories that inspire our mission.


Each name represents someone whose life has been impacted by bronchiectasis or NTM lung disease.


We invite you to honor someone meaningful in your life. You can share your own name or recognize a family member, caregiver, healthcare provider, or anyone who has been touched by respiratory disease.


To add your tribute, please visit: https://copdf.co/supportgolf
Then follow these steps:
• Select $10
• Check the box for Honor Wall Tribute
• Choose In honor of under Type of dedication
• Enter the individual’s name in the Honoree Name field
• Enter your contact information
• Click Give Securely


If you need any help, feel free to reach out to giving@bronchandntm.org.


Adding a name to the Honor Wall is a simple way to make a meaningful impact and support a future with earlier diagnosis, better care, and more hope for those affected.


For more information about the tournament, visit: https://www.bronchiectasisandntminitiative.org/Get-Involved/Events/Airways-Fairways-Charity-Golf-Tournament

Real people. Real stories. A cause that matters 💙

The Bronchiectasis and NTM Association’s Airways & Fairways Charity Golf Tournament will take place in Orlando, FL on May 15, 2026.

At the tournament, we will feature a special Honor Wall that highlights the names and stories that inspire our mission. Each name represents someone whose life has been impacted by bronchiectasis or NTM lung disease.

We invite you to honor someone meaningful in your life. You can share your own name or recognize a family member, caregiver, healthcare provider, or anyone who has been touched by respiratory disease.

To add your tribute, please visit: https://copdf.co/supportgolf
Then follow these steps:
• Select $10
• Check the box for Honor Wall Tribute
• Choose In honor of under Type of dedication
• Enter the individual’s name in the Honoree Name field
• Enter your contact information
• Click Give Securely

If you need any help, feel free to reach out to giving@bronchandntm.org.

Adding a name to the Honor Wall is a simple way to make a meaningful impact and support a future with earlier diagnosis, better care, and more hope for those affected.

For more information about the tournament, visit: Airways & Fairways Charity Golf Tournament | Event for Bronchiectasis and NTM

Have you ever been told you just have “severe asthma” or “COPD,” only to later discover that bronchiectasis or NTM lung disease had been overlooked? In the latest episode of our podcast, Dr. Ashwin Basavaraj, Associate Director at NYU Langone Health, unpacks how asthma, COPD, and other disorders can overlap with bronchiectasis and why these connections are often missed. Plus, what are some red flags to look out for, and when should you push for additional testing? 
Listen here: https://www.bronchiectasisandntminitiative.org/Learn-More/Educational-Materials-Resources/Podcasts

Have you ever been told you just have “severe asthma” or “COPD,” only to later discover that bronchiectasis or NTM lung disease had been overlooked? In the latest episode of our podcast, Dr. Ashwin Basavaraj, Associate Director at NYU Langone Health, unpacks how asthma, COPD, and other disorders can overlap with bronchiectasis and why these connections are often missed. Plus, what are some red flags to look out for, and when should you push for additional testing? 


Listen here: https://www.bronchiectasisandntminitiative.org/Learn-More/Educational-Materials-Resources/Podcasts

Hello! Is a good night’s sleep a challenge for you?  The combination of good sleep, medications, therapies, and good nutrition will assist you in healing .Below is a blog article on sleep hygiene that offers some tips. Sleeping and Healing for BNTM Patients: https://www.bronchiectasisandntminitiative.org/BronchandNTM360social/Community-Discussions/Blog/Article/150/Sleep-and-Healing-for-NTMBronchiectasis-Patients

Katie, and all, this a a question about controlling GERD that some or many of us struggle with. I have ordered Reflux Gourmet, which is yet to arrive so have not tried it.  And then I found this product through research; it is called Slippery Elm powder and is available to order or can be found in the Denver area at Natural Grocers in a 1 oz packet or a 4 oz bottle.
Has anyone tried this Slippery Elm Bark?  It acts a bit differently from Reflux Gourmet, yet is somewhat similar and is also a natural product.
After taking famotadine daily for almost a year, first at 20mg once in the morning, then thankfully found 10mg famotidine, I stopped taking it a few days ago. The famotadine was prescribed by the 
GI specialist at NJH. 
I am set now to simply keep my stomach in good shape by not filling it too full. 
If you have experience with Slippery Elm, please let me know.

I am down for the count. I was good for three weeks no infection. Two days ago I got another infection. Waiting to see the doctor on Tuesday.

Hello! A review of Stress Basics 101- Stress is the reaction of the brain and body to situations that put us in harm's way. The stressor may be a physical threat or a psychological threat. The stress response is our body's attempt to keep us safe from harm. When we are under stress, the chemistry (chemicals) in our brain changes. Changes in the chemicals in our brains affect our thinking patterns.The "fight or flight" response means that we have two basic ways of protecting ourselves when faced with a threat. We can run (flee) or try to overcome the threat ( fight). Good stress is when we can take on the problem at hand and return to the feeling of safety afterwards. Bad stress occurs when we have no or little control over the results. Body and brain chemistry become overreactive and get out of balance- this is known as the "freeze response". Learning how to deal with stressors in your daily life will reduce the chance of being in "freeze mode". Staying in the "freeze mode" impacts your physical and immune health. We are here to support you in learning new ways to deal with ongoing stressors. Please let us know if you have any questions. 
 Below is a short YouTube video on the fight, flight, or freeze response.

Hello! A review of Stress Basics 101- Stress is the reaction of the brain and body to situations that put us in harm's way. The stressor may be a physical threat or a psychological threat. The stress response is our body's attempt to keep us safe from harm. When we are under stress, the chemistry (chemicals) in our brain changes. Changes in the chemicals in our brains affect our thinking patterns.
The "fight or flight" response means that we have two basic ways of protecting ourselves when faced with a threat. We can run (flee) or try to overcome the threat ( fight). Good stress is when we can take on the problem at hand and return to the feeling of safety afterwards. Bad stress occurs when we have no or little control over the results. Body and brain chemistry become overreactive and get out of balance- this is known as the "freeze response".  Learning how to deal with stressors in your daily life will reduce the chance of being in "freeze mode". Staying in the "freeze mode" impacts your physical and immune health. We are here to support you in learning new ways to deal with ongoing stressors. Please let us know if you have any questions.  Below is a short YouTube video on the Fight, Flight or Freeze response: https://www.ted.com/talks/betsy_huggett_fight_flight_or_freeze_your_body_s_defense_mecha

Hello! A review of the basics of stress- Stress is the reaction of the brain and body to situations that put us in harm's way. The stressor may be a physical threat or a psychological threat. The stress response is our body's attempt to keep us safe from harm. When we are under stress, the chemistry ( chemicals) in our brain changes. The change in the chemicals in our brain affects our thinking patterns. 
The "fight or flight" response means that we have two basic ways of protecting ourselves when faced with a threat. We can run (flee) or try to overcome the threat ( fight). Good stress is when we can take on the problem at hand and return to the feeling of safety afterwards.  Bad stress occurs when we have no or little control over the results. Body and brain chemistry become overreactive and get out of balance- this is known as the "freeze response". We have posts listed below on Coping Skills, A Coping Skill Toolbox, and more.  Learning how to improve at dealing with stressors in your daily life will lessen the chance of being in the " freeze mode".  Staying in the "freeze mode", also referred to as chronic stress on a long-term basis, impacts your physical and immune health.  We are here to support you in learning ways to deal with ongoing stressors.  Please let us know if you have any questions. 

Hello! Were you able to watch the landing of Artemis 11 last evening? It was amazing to watch history in the making. We must believe that anything is possible in time.; more companies have shown interest in the field of BNTM over the past decade than ever before. BNTM Care Centers are opening up throughout the country, a greater number of medications and treatments are in the pipeline. Hold on to HOPE for better days ahead! https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c3dlnzv5r71t

Hello! A coping skills toolbox is a collection of strategies designed to help individuals manage stress, anxiety, and emotional challenges. These toolboxes can include various techniques and activities tailored to different situations and personal preferences.Components of a Coping Skills Toolbox may include - Coping Strategies: Techniques such as mindfulness, deep breathing, or journaling that help regulate emotions.Creative Activities: Engaging in art, music, or writing to express feelings and distract from stress.Physical Activities: Exercise or movement-based strategies such as walking that promote physical well-being and reduce anxiety.Social Connections: Encouraging interaction with friends or family to foster support and connection.ideas for building a personal coping skills toolbox. Identifying personal triggers, and having your toolbox ready will improve your daily life. A few items in my toolbox include listening to upbeat music, journaling, walking, trashing negative thoughts, not overbooking due to uncertainty of stamina , keeping things in perspective and celebrating little wins. Emotional health toolboxes  can help individuals create a personalized approach to be prepared in managing their emotional health more effectively. Do you have a coping skills toolbox idea to share with the community? 

Sometimes depression doesn’t look like what we expect.

It’s not always tears.
It’s not always obvious.

Sometimes it’s just feeling… off.
Like you’re there, but not really there.
Like everything takes more effort than it should.
Like you’re tired in a way that rest doesn’t fix.

And when you’re living with COPD, bronchiectasis, NTM, or caring for someone who is — that weight can quietly build over time.

The physical side is already a lot.
The mental side can be just as heavy.

It might look like:
• Losing interest in things you used to enjoy
• Pulling back from people or conversations
• Feeling overwhelmed by small things
• Changes in sleep or appetite
• Low energy, low motivation, or trouble focusing
• Being harder on yourself than you’d ever be on anyone else

And sometimes… you can’t quite explain it at all.

If this sounds familiar, please don’t brush it off.

Don’t ignore how you’re feeling. It matters.

You don’t have to “push through” everything on your own.
You don’t have to wait until it gets worse to say something.

We are a community here — and you matter here.

On the hard days, even something small can help:
a message, a check-in, a few minutes outside, a familiar song, a quiet moment to breathe.

And if all you can do today is get through the day — that counts.

You are not a burden.
You are not alone.
And you don’t have to carry this quietly.

If you feel up to it, what’s something that helps you when the days feel heavier? 💙

Hello! Living with BNTM can bring moments of stress—but
small, intentional steps can make a big difference. 💙

A few of the many things that can cause stress may include-
things not going your way, things not going the way they “should”,
misperceptions, frustrations with your healthcare professionals’ office/
managing your own healthcare, taking things personally, and so much more. A few
tips on managing these stressors include the following:

✨Breathe deeply: Even 3–5 slow
breaths can calm your nervous system

✨Create a daily “quiet pocket”: A
few minutes of stillness, or mindfulness

✨Gentle movement: Stretching or a
short walk can ease both body and mind

✨Stay connected: You’re not
alone—reach out to someone who understands

✨Celebrate small wins: Every
airway clearance, every push to the next appointment, and each step forward in
the right direction matters. Stress doesn’t define your journey—your resilience
does. One calm moment at a time. Would you like to share some of your stress
management tips with our BNTM community?

Hello! Living with BNTM can bring moments of stress—but small,
intentional steps can make a big difference. 💙

A few of the many things that can cause stress may include- things
not going your way, things not going the way they “should”, misperceptions,
frustrations with your healthcare professionals’ office/ managing your own healthcare,
taking things personally, and so much more. A few tips on managing these
stressors include the following:

✨Breathe deeply: Even 3–5 slow breaths
can calm your nervous system

✨Create a daily “quiet pocket”: A
few minutes of stillness, or mindfulness

✨Gentle movement: Stretching or a
short walk can ease both body and mind

✨Stay connected: You’re not alone—reach
out to someone who understands

✨Celebrate small wins: Every airway
clearance, every push to the next appointment, and each step forward in the
right direction matters. Stress doesn’t define your journey—your resilience does.
One calm moment at a time. Would you like to share some of your stress management
tips with our BNTM community?

Hello! Living with BNTM can bring moments of stress—but
small, intentional steps can make a big difference. 💙

A few of the many things that can cause stress may include-
things not going your way, things not going the way they “should”,
misperceptions, frustrations with your healthcare professionals’ office/ managing your own
healthcare, taking things personally, and so much more. A few tips on managing
these stressors include the following:

✨Breathe deeply: Even 3–5 slow
breaths can calm your nervous system

✨Create a daily “quiet pocket”: A
few minutes of stillness, or mindfulness

✨Gentle movement: Stretching or a
short walk can ease both body and mind

✨Stay connected: You’re not
alone—reach out to someone who understands

✨Celebrate small wins: Every
airway clearance, every push to the next appointment, and each step forward in
the right direction matters. Stress doesn’t define your journey—your resilience
does. One calm moment at a time. Would you like to share some of your stress
management tips with our BNTM community?

Hello! Living
with BNTM can bring moments of stress—but small, intentional steps can make a
big difference. 💙

A few of the many things that
can cause stress may include- things not going your way, things not going
the way they “should”, misperceptions, frustrations with your healthcare professionals’
office/ managing your own healthcare, taking things personally, and so much
more. A few tips on managing these
stressors include the following:

✨
Breathe deeply: Even 3–5 slow breaths can calm your nervous system

✨
Create a daily “quiet pocket”: A few minutes of stillness, or mindfulness

✨
Gentle movement: Stretching or a short walk can ease both body and mind

✨
Stay connected: You’re not alone—reach out to someone who understands

✨
Celebrate small wins: Every airway clearance, every push to the next
appointment, and each step forward in the right direction matters. Stress
doesn’t define your journey—your resilience does. One calm moment at a
time. Would you like to share some of your stress management tips with
our BNTM community?

Hello! Do you have a used vehicle that you no longer need? Your vehicle can help support something meaningful.

Donate your car, truck, or SUV to the COPD Foundation and help accelerate our work to create a better future for those living with chronic lung disease.

Free pick-up. Easy process.

🚗 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gfKUcXcZ

Sometimes we hear the word depression and think it just means feeling sad.

But it can feel more like a quiet heaviness that doesn’t lift…
Going through the day without really feeling in it, or being tired in a way rest doesn’t fix.

If you’ve felt that before, you’re not alone.

Living with COPD, bronchiectasis, NTM, or other lung conditions — and caregiving — can take a toll in ways we don’t always talk about.

What to watch for:
• Feeling down, empty, or hopeless
• Losing interest in things you once enjoyed
• Changes in sleep or appetite
• Low energy or trouble focusing
• Pulling away from others or feeling alone
• Being harder on yourself than you’d ever be on someone else

Sometimes it doesn’t look like sadness — it can just feel “off.”

How we can help each other:
• A simple “I’m thinking of you” can mean more than you know
• Listening without trying to fix helps people feel seen
• Sitting together — even quietly — can ease the weight
• Gently encouraging support when needed is a sign of care
• Reminding each other that we matter — especially on the hard days

And if this feels close to home for you…

Be gentle with yourself. Truly.
Don’t ignore how you’re feeling — it matters.
Some days, just getting through is more than enough.

Please, if you’re feeling this way — talk to someone.
There is no shame in asking for help. It’s part of living your better life.

We are a community here, and you matter.

You are not a burden.
You are not alone.
And you don’t have to carry it quietly here.

What’s one small thing that helps lift you, even just a little? 💙

Having a flare up

Together we could create a brighter future for people living with bronchiectasis. We’re looking for adults to join The AIRTIVITY® Study to see if an investigational medicine – designed to target the harmful inflammation that contributes to bronchiectasis – can help improve the lives of people living with the condition.

Join the movement – to find out how to take part, please contact the study team, visit theairtivitystudy.com

http://airtivity.researchstudytrial.com/?utm_source=patient_advocacy_group&utm_medium=Bronch_NTM_newsletter&utm_campaign=patient_recruitment&r=16

Together we could create a brighter future for people living with bronchiectasis We’re looking for adults to join The AIRTIVITY® Study to see if an investigational medicine – designed to target the harmful inflammation that contributes to bronchiectasis – can help improve the lives of people living with the condition.

Join the movement – to find out how to take part, please contact the study team, visit theairtivitystudy.com http://airtivity.researchstudytrial.com/?utm_source=patient_advocacy_group&utm_medium=Bronch_NTM_newsletter&utm_campaign=patient_recruitment&r=16 

Together we could create a brighter future for people living with bronchiectasis We’re looking for adults to join The AIRTIVITY®Study to see if an investigational medicine – designed to target the harmful inflammation that contributes to bronchiectasis – can

Join the movement – to find out how to take part, please contact the study team, visit theairtivitystudy.com
http://airtivity.researchstudytrial.com/?utm_source=patient_advocacy_group&utm_medium=Bronch_NTM_newsletter&utm_campaign=patient_recruitment&r=16

Together we could create a brighter future for people

living with bronchiectasis

We’re looking for adults to join The AIRTIVITY®

Study to see


if an investigational medicine – designed to target the

harmful inflammation that contributes to bronchiectasis –
can

help improve the lives of people living with the condition.

[CTA]

Join the movement – to find out how to take part, please

contact the study team, visit theairtivitystudy.com
airtivity.researchstudytrial.com?utm_source=patient_advocacy_group&utm_medium=Bronch_NTM_newsletter&utm_campaign=patient_recruitment&r=16

🌿 “The Little Things That Help” Check-In (Bronchiectasis & NTM Edition)

With bronchiectasis or NTM, so much of the day can revolve around routines… treatments… pacing yourself… and figuring out what helps you feel just a little bit better.

And often, it’s the small things that make the biggest difference.

Maybe it’s:

A tip that helps with airway clearance
A way you time your treatments that works better for you
Something that helps when the cough or fatigue is heavier
A comfort, routine, or “go-to” that helps you reset

💬 What’s one small thing that helps you get through the day?

If you’re a caregiver or supporting someone, we’d love to hear from you too—what have you found helps?

Sometimes the smallest ideas turn into the biggest support for someone else reading along.

✨ Gentle reminder: If you’re noticing changes—more cough, fatigue, or anything that feels different than your usual—it’s always a good idea to check in with your care team and lean on your action plan if you have one.

Hello! Stress is common amongst everyone throughout their lives, but it is compounded by having a chronic condition. Below is a blog article, written by Jane Martin, BA, LRT, CRT, offering some advice on managing stress in our daily lives: https://www.bronchiectasisandntminitiative.org/BronchandNTM360social/Community-Discussions/Blog/Article/92/Managing-Stress-with-Bronchiectasis-and-NTM

Hello! Stress is common amongst everyone throughout their lives but it is compounded by having a chronic condition. Below is a blog article, written by Jane Martin, offering some advice on managing stress in our daily lives: https://www.bronchiectasisandntminitiative.org/BronchandNTM360social/Community-Discussions/Blog/Article/92/Managing-Stress-with-Bronchiectasis-and-NTM

😄

Hello! How are you dealing with the stress of having a medical condition? BNTM are mostly invisible disorders that are misunderstood by others. Below is an article on Stress Management Tips , from the Cleveland Clinic: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/6392-stress-coping-with-lifes-stressors
Let me know if any of their tips hit home with you or if you have any questions. 

Happy Easter to all who celebrate this holiday! 🐇🐰🐣 Tis a season of a new beginning, a season of hope. I hope you enjoy this special day whether you are with family, friends or on your own. 

Happy Passover to everyone who celebrates this holiday. Enjoy your celebrations. 

🌷 A Little Spring, A Little Reflection 🌷

As Easter weekend arrives, this time of year has a way of bringing back memories—moments spent with family, traditions that made us smile, and the connections that have stayed with us over the years.

Even if things look a little different now, those memories still carry something special… a sense of hope, of fresh starts, and of finding light in the little things.

And just like that, we begin to see it around us again.
Even if winter is still holding on in some places, there are signs… a few blooms pushing through, longer days, a bit more light finding its way in.

It’s a gentle reminder that change doesn’t always come all at once—but it does come.

For many of us, this weekend is also about those simple moments—time with family, a call to someone we’ve been thinking about, or just sitting quietly and taking in a bit of fresh air.

Maybe today is a good day to:
🌼 Step outside and soak in a little spring
📞 Reach out to someone who’s been on your mind
🐾 Or just enjoy a small moment that makes you smile

Wherever you are, and whatever this weekend looks like for you, we hope you can find a little bit of that “fresh start” feeling in your own way.

💬 What’s something—past or present—that brings you a sense of hope this time of year?

Living with Bronchiectasis NTM can bring daily stress—but small moments of spiritual connection can make a meaningful difference. Spirituality can be a powerful tool in the toolbox for lowering stress. Spirituality can improve how individuals cope both emotionally and physically. • A quiet prayer or moment of reflection can calm your breathing
• Trusting in something greater can ease fear and uncertainty
• Slowing down your breath helps your body shift into healing mode
• You are not alone—connection within a community brings strength.

Hello everyone! 

Our next BronchandNTM360social Coffee Break is Wednesday, April 8, 2026 @ 2:30pm EDT.

Joining us this month is Dr. Christopher Richards, MD. to discuss the relationship between Cystic Fibrosis and non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis. There have been many developments in both areas recently, and these developments may affect how we are treated in the future. Dr. Richards is an Instructor in Medicine at MGH-BIDMC Harvard Pulmonary & Critical Care Fellowship Program.

Dr. Richards has a large and active sub-specialty practice in the management of adult Cystic Fibrosis (CF), non-CF bronchiectasis and non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) pulmonary infections. He is a fellow of the CF Foundation (CFF) and a member of the Program for Adult Care Excellence at the CFF. He is a site Principal Investigator on several multi-center industry sponsored clinical trials in CFTR modulator therapy as well as studies from the CFF on outcomes in CF. Dr. Richards has written reviews and case studies in the management of NTM infections in CF and is a local expert in this area.

https://www.pulmonaryfellowship.hms.harvard.edu/christopher-j-richards-md 

We will open the call fifteen minutes early, so please join us if you wish to speak casually with us or other community members. Any health-related discussion will be held until the start of the meeting.

The meeting registration link is here: 
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZclcuusrDMpG9PrF3BDUA2nw2csTkQsg7EG#/registration

Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Hello! I hope that you were not the recipient of a bad prank today.🤗

Hello! I hope that you were not the recipient of a bad prank today. 

Hello! I hope that you were not the recipient of a bad prank today. 

Hello! Below are 90 inspirational quotes for the month of April : https://www.positivityblog.com/april-quotes/
Please comment with your favorite quote.😍👋 Thank you! 

Hello, April! 🌸A new month brings fresh air, longer days, more sunshine. Hopefully, you will be able to get out and about more for a walk or whatever outdoor activity you enjoy. 
Let us support one another and step forward on our healing journeys.  May you continue to show strength in ways that often go unseen. April is a reminder that progress doesn’t have to be huge to be real. Every small choice for your health, every moment you choose to keep going… it all counts. You are not alone in this—we’re walking this path together with hope in our hearts . 💙
Throughout this month, we will focus on symptom management, stress management and sleep hygiene. 
Here’s to a month of steady progress, renewed motivation, and gentle victories.

Doing OK today but have to be on O2 24/7.

Hi,Iam in the U.K . I do speedy walking around the sea front ,ending in a slow run up 50 steps, twice a day, for around 10 years, what caused the problem was being sent by my then doctor for a C.T. Scan with Contrast , I continue do speedy walking. I was not given any information regarding the scan, sent to my computer,not at the local Hospital but at a Community Diagnostic Centre. Came out of the scan in terrible condition ,then diagnosed with Bronchiectasis. I am determined to keep on walking !,  Best Wishes Eileen.