Bronchiectasis & a MAC Infection Changed my Life Forever

Life can change in an instant. Mine did when a CT scan revealed bronchiectasis and a probable Mycobacterium Avium Complex (MAC) infection, two terms I’d never heard before.

I worked in healthcare, understood medical jargon, but this felt like being broadsided.

A bronchoscopy confirmed the MAC diagnosis, but instead of clarity, it brought months of confusion. 

Was the chronic cough from the bronchiectasis or the MAC?
Could I ever be cough-free? 
How could I prevent worse symptoms like fatigue and night sweats?

It was a support group, sponsored by NTM Info & Research, that saved me.  

Through their discussions, I finally understood:

The bronchiectasis was permanent.
The MAC infection could possibly be eradicated with antibiotics.

I felt hopeful and determined. I could manage the bronchiectasis and fight the MAC!  My first step: tackle both without antibiotics.

Airway clearance, everyone said, was key.  So I dove deep, explored options, and committed to daily routines. But as a health educator and coach, I knew it wasn’t enough. I needed a holistic approach. ‍

I revamped my nutrition, added more stress reduction techniques to my meditation practice and upped exercise. Every day. 

I chronicled my journey, noting what worked and what didn’t. Those notes became “The BE CLEAR Method to Living with Bronchiectasis,” my book to feeling our best with BE.

Five years later, I’m still on that path, along with extra precautions to avoid lung-damaging pathogens including pseudomonas and haemophilus.️ With our “dodgy lungs,” we are more susceptible and eliminating exposure is impossible.  

However, simple steps can significantly reduce our exposure.

Tomorrow, we’ll explore those steps. Because even with challenges, living well with bronchiectasis is possible!  

Stay tuned, and please share your experiences and questions. we are here to learn together and support one another.

Book available on Amazon http://tinyurl.com/5a5vx628

Consulting relationship with Monaghan Medical 

#bronchiectasis #ntm #ntminfection #bronchoscopy #physio #airwayclearance