Mycobacterium avium complex.
Would like to know if any other COPD people also have been diagnosed with MAC. Treatment, issues, general well being? My diagnosis was confirmed a few months ago after multiple sputum samples, blood work, and chest images. I currently take three antibiotics every MWF. This will last for 12-18 months. I find it best to stay home those days since I never know what side effects will happen that day. While this is not a rare infection, it mostly happens to people with pre-existing lung problems.
Anyone else out there been diagnosed with MAC?
Hi ziel (Elizabeth), and thanks for your post and inquiry. I am hopeful others in the community will see your concern for Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), and respond by sharing their own experiences with this condition.
In the meanwhile, I thought you might be interested in reading the one other post, which I was able to find here on COPD.net, which focuses on this disease. Interestingly enough, it is your very post from earlier this year July 29. For your convenience, here is a link to that conversation: https://copd.net/forums/diagnosis-of-pulmonary-mycobacterium-avium-complex.
Since that post did not receive much traffic in the way of conversation, I was wondering if you wanted to consider posting your concern on our COPD Facebook platform? If you do, the link to that community is at the bottom of this page. You may elicit more of a response in that venue.
What do you think?
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
That sounds like a very unpleasant issue to have to deal with, but at least you got a confirmation. Hopefully, the antibiotics will take care of it. Wishing you all the best. April - COPD. net Team Hi Leon,
You are right about not getting much feedback from my post. I shy away from social media. One bad experience is all it takes.
But, do you or any of the other moderators have input about MAC?Thank you for this article. I felt like I was reading my medical history! All the testing mentioned, my doctors did. The pulmonologist, infectious disease doctor and my respiratory therapist. Health care is being handled well. I am just staying positive, Happy Holidays! Hi again, ziel (Elizabeth), and thanks for the follow-up reply. I'm glad to hear that the care you are receiving and your medical support team are all on the right track.
I know this to be an uncommon diagnosis but, to hear your team is handling it well and, to your satisfaction, gives me the same positive outlook that you have, too.
Keep up the good work and please, do keep us posted as to your progress.
Enjoy the holidays!
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
Hi there...what type of issues were you having for the diagnosis? Just curious as I have gotten results of a CT scan and they say there is a mass in my.lung but they want a PET scan to rule out cancer Mostly just a horrible cough. With a lot of thick ugly looking sputum. Feeling very tired. Short of breath without any exertion. Loss of weight without trying. Diagnosis was made after pulmonary function tests, multiple chest CT scans, sputum cultures and blood work. My pulmonologist put it all together. I am on three antibiotics every MWF for at least 12-18 months. They are not fun. But I can breathe better and have lessened my dependency on oxygen.
I do not know if this will help you.
Best wishes,
ElizabethThank you
