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Check out the above website if you haven't already. My brother and I have both dealt with MAC. He though, had MAC abscesses which was more difficult to treat and caused cavities in his lungs. He did have surgery to remove the rt upper lobe which helped and long term iv treatment with oral antibiotics. I had MAC and took 3 oral meds long term (18 months) for three times ( yes, as soon as I tested postive again after being negative for 2 years or so I would start treatment) over a 12 year period. I have tested negative for MAC these last 3 years. Cultures can take up to 6 weeks to get the final results. I get tested every three months to make sure that it stays negative. What led to my original diagnosis was finally getting to a good cf clinic. I was having bleeding occuring more frequently and the amount was getting increasing more.
I cannot stress enough how important it is to be aggressive with treatment even though you feel fine. Getting it as early as possible and staying on top of it is the way to go. Let us know how the cultures come out and how you decide to proceed with treatment. Good luck to you.
I just want to add that I know it is depressing to hear you might have this but really you have a great shot at getting rid of it and going on to do quite well if you do what you need to do to. The treatment can be a pain and sometimes the side effects can be difficult but you have to think long term and although 18 months sounds so long....time does pass quickly and it will be well worth it. I have one lung and function very very well. No one would ever know I had one lung with all the activities I am involved in. My brother is 4 years older than I and he still works full time and managed to do so through all he had to go through with treating this nasty bug.
