Learn me mycobacterium Avium Complex

So, i got diagnosed with it this morning. Honestly, we caught it due to a broken rib. The mass showed up on an x ray for pneumonia. 

Biopsy came back negative for cancer. 

Im not hiv positive. 

I do not have tuberculosis (was exposed a bit over a decade ago, and took the drugs from the health department)

So, i guess i got lucky. But its still some really serious E36 M3. 

Right now, the plan is 2 years of pills, at the end of which i hopefully don't die and keep my lung.

This is all new to me, and I'm a mental health crisis and housing guy, not medical. All the stuff on google that ive read over lunchis geared towards hiv patients. Apparently it is pretty rare outside that community. 

So, anyone know what the berkeley happens next? Other than finishing the challenge car that is. And not dying. And eating fried turkey next week.

Ummm yuck.

That’s usually what kills people with HIV/AIDS. The virus just kills the immune system and brings this into play.

In reply to Ranger50 :

Don't like fried turkey?

Or is it because im pretty much berkeleyed?

In reply to Dusterbd13-michael :

I love fried turkey.

Oh boy it's serious. 75% survival rate after 5 years. Don't be afraid to lose that lung to save your life, if it comes down to that.

https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/7123/mycobacterium-avium-complex

Seems like it's basically a case of "take antibiotics and see what happens."

I don’t know anything about this ... but just don’t let it make your turkey taste bad

We will add you to our thoughts and prayers.

Going to again let you know that you are in our prayers. 

Mentioning the colloidal silver again, silver is anti-bacterial too, so nebulizing it could help. 

My wife had half of a lung removed about a year and a half ago due to aspergillosis and recovered pretty well. Obviously surgery is not fun, but if it's an option, don't count it out. 

Keep your spirits up as best as you can. I know I can't fully understand what you're going through, but I know it's not fun. Mental attitude is powerful. Keep working on cars and doing what you love as much as possible, don't let this get you down. 

I hope none of this comes across the wrong way, know that I mean it in the best way possible, I'm sorry anyone has to go through stuff like this. 

And again I would like to note that swallowing - or apparently even inhaling, now that I look it up - silver can cause argyria:

https://academic.oup.com/annweh/article/49/7/575/148203

Im grateful i have this family both in real life and here on the forum. 

The mental parts right now is butt berkeleying me, to be honest. But im going to fight it with faith to the best of my ability. 

Im willing to listen to any and all advice. So feel free to give it. 

I think the next big challenge is going to be quitting vaping. I gave up real cigarettes at the start of this in September, but im not free of the monkey on my back yet. Lot harder than giving up the drinking and drug use. 

Thanks for the encouragement y'all. 

It seems like you're generally in good condition otherwise and not at a disadvantaged age to fight this off.   Doesn't read like you're berk'd.

My advice will be keep up with all the DR appointments, ask lots of questions and keep a positive outlook. Will be sending prayers your way. I was recently diagnosed with Diabetes and have been really frustrated with the info I was getting from my PCP, so if you feel like your DR isn't working for you switch DR's. Hope you find all the right health care people you need, getting old(er) is a bitch but it beats the alternative. Good Luck

my only advice is to be the cat

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptJpLivNyoE

In reply to pres589 (djronnebaum) :

Yea, I agree, this sounds like something that takes out people with severely weakened immune systems.  That said, it also seems strange that someone with a healthy immune system would get it. 

Quitting vaping is probably the best first step (I know, easy for me to say).

Keep your head up and your eyes on the prize!  And no slowing down on the challenge car either, that thing is going to be a riot.  

Oh yea, not dying is a good plan as well .

I pray that you will have the strength to quit vaping today.  A brief online search will give you lots of clues that vaping damages the immune system and causes lung disease.  Exercise, eat right, rest.  Your body is capable of healing. 

Do you keep pigeons or something?  

Oh yeah, take the antibiotics on time and until they are gone.  Last thing you want is to develop a resistant strain.  Ask about drug interactions from the antibiotics.

Dang, I was really pulling for calcified cocaine. 

You got this. You're young, relatively healthy and have lots of years ahead of you. Two years of antibiotics is going to be hell on your gut though, so look into probiotic foods to keep some good bacteria around. 

Keep us posted!

I don't know anything about this illness. But I do know how to pray.  And that's what I'll be doing for you.

In reply to EastCoastMojo :

So was I!

Can i ask tge dumb question about just what exactly probiotic foods are? Ive got enough gut trouble already....

We're going to see just how far i get tomorrow without any nicotine whatsoever. What do i have to lose? Im already a plumbers helper for the day.    

Take your meds, guy.  And stop the vaping.  While I haven't seen any studies or heard anecdotally regarding vaping, tobacco is known to severely slow healing and that vape stuff has tobacco in it, doesn't it?  Certainly nicotine.  Won't get into the vape argument further, but given that your current lung infection is likely directly related to your smoking history, you need to stop all assaults on your lungs and vaping is in there too.

Dunno on the probiotics.  You get probiotic supplements at  Wally world or anyplace these days.  I've looked at what's in them.  You're eating E36 M3.  Saw a study recently that said eating the probiotics wouldn't hurt you, unless you were taking antibiotics, in which case they might, or might not have anything good for you. 

Good Luck, and take care of yourself.

You'll be in my thoughts and prayers.  I know nothing about the condition you mentioned, but I am living proof that sometimes going to the experts pays off.  

I have Crohn's disease and about 10 years ago I went to the Cleveland Clinic with symptoms that felt like an obstruction.  My local doctors (who had excellent reputations) could not find anything.  The Cleveland Clinic docs found the blockage (in a place no one else was looking), performed the surgery, and quite possibly saved my life.  I make the trek out there twice a year for follow-ups, and as much of a pain as the 1,000 mile trip is, it's well worth it.

I dont know who's a specialist in what you're dealing with, but I'd encourage you to find them and schedule an appointment.

Just my $0.02.

I'm very sorry to hear about this. I wish I could tell you more about it, but my knowledge on the subject hasn't been updated since the 90s.

If you're using supplements, and you want them cheap, go to MalWart.

If you want them to work, don't.

Best of luck in your recovery.

In reply to Dusterbd13-michael :

I'm no doctor, hell I didn't even stay at a Holiday Inn last night. Probiotics are the friendly bacteria that help your gut digest food properly. Antibiotics kill the good with the bad, so supplementing your diet with foods that contain these friendly bacteria will help keep your digestive tract stable. 

You don't have to use otc supplements, lots of foods are ripe with good bacteria. Yogurt, cheese, buttermilk, sauerkraut and sourdough are all great choices, but there are plenty of others out there. Most fermented foods (but not alcohol) contain some level of good bacteria. Looking online it seems that there should not be any issue with consuming probiotics while taking antibiotics, just don't take them together. Allow a couple hours before or after taking your meds. Definitely consult with your doc to determine the best course.

My thoughts are with you. At least now with the diagnosis there can be a plan of action. I always feel better when there's a plan of action.

You could always look into a poo transplant, that's a thing now.

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/gastroenterology_hepatology/clinical_services/advanced_endoscopy/fecal_transplantation.html

I don't even know if this is that helpful, it's just something else fun to think about.  Well, "fun".

I will keep you in my thoughts! Look for active cultures in yogurt. Buy the plain (not vanilla) and add fruit.