BronchandNTM360social welcomes new member mccannr who joins 5,147 current members of our community. Weโ€™re glad you're here!

360Coach Brandon

360Coach Brandon Is it just allergiesโ€ฆ or something more? ๐ŸŒฟ๐Ÿ’ญ

This time of year, itโ€™s easy to blame allergiesโ€”maybe your cough picks up a bit, you feel more tired, or your breathing just feels a little off.

But sometimesโ€ฆ itโ€™s not just allergies.

When Dr. Reddy joined us for our March Coffee Break, we spent time talking about exacerbations (flare-ups) and how important it is to recognize those early changes. This feels like a great way to keep that conversation going.

A few things to watch for:
โ€ข Increased coughing or a noticeable change in your cough
โ€ข More mucus, or mucus thatโ€™s thicker, darker, or different than usual
โ€ข Increased fatigue or feeling run down
โ€ข More shortness of breath than your normal
โ€ข Chest discomfort or tightness

What might lean more toward allergies:
โ€ข Itchy eyes, nose, or throat
โ€ข Sneezing and runny nose
โ€ข Clear, thin mucus
โ€ข Symptoms that improve when youโ€™re away from triggers

The key? Knowing your baseline.
With bronchiectasis and NTM, your โ€œnormalโ€ mattersโ€”and when something shifts, even slightly, itโ€™s worth paying attention.

We also have a helpful section on exacerbations on our website (link at the bottom of the post) if youโ€™d like to take a closer look. This is one of our regular check-ins as a community, because recognizing those early signs can make a big difference.

๐Ÿ’ฌ Thinking back to that Coffee Breakโ€”what stuck with you? Have you ever thought something was allergies, but it turned out to be more?

Letโ€™s keep the conversation goingโ€”your experience could help someone else catch it sooner.

https://www.bronchiectasisandntminitiative.org/Learn-More/I-am-a-Patient-or-Caregiver/Exacerbations

Exacerbations | Bronchiectasis and NTM Association

People with bronchiectasis and NTM lung disease sometimes struggle with staying well. Inflammation coupled with mucus pooling in the lungs becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. If you are unable to clear the mucus from your airway, you may have a greater chance of having an exacerbation (x-saa …

1 day ago

  • NewestOldest
  • Ksmiles123Yes, letโ€™s keep the conversation going from our last coffee break. We are here to answer any follow up questions that you may have. We often get too many question many questions in the chat to respond to before the time is up. We are here on an ongoing basis to answer the questions that were not addressed during our BNTM Coffee Breaks.. 1 day ago
  • das23Pollen is just picking up here in NE. So far so good. We'll see how it goes this year. Great post Brandon!! Thanks1 day ago
baileymccrary

baileymccraryHello all! On March 18, we had 54 COPD and bronchiectasis patients, caregivers, loved ones, healthcare providers, and COPD Foundation and Bronchiectasis and NTM Association team members join us for IMPACT Lung Health 2026 in Washington, D.C. to advocate for support of our policy priorities from our lawmakers. Together, we held 101 meetings with legislative offices representing 28 states, 56 Senate districts, and 45 House districts. Bronchiectasis and NTM Association advocates spoke with lawmakers about four critical priorities:
- Support the Development of New Bronchiectasis Treatment Approaches through FY27 Appropriations Provisions
- Increase Funding for Lung Health Research and Promote Innovative Treatments through FY27 Appropriations Provisions
- Co-sponsor the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform (SOAR) Act (H.R.2902 or S.1406) to Ensure Medicare Patients have Access to Essential Oxygen Therapy
- Co-sponsor H.R.783 or S.240 to Enact Permanent Medicare Coverage for Virtual Pulmonary Rehabilitation

We are incredibly proud of our team of advocates and the progress we made together for lung health in Washington, D.C.! If you'd like to virtually support IMPACT 2026, you can urge your lawmakers to support our policy priorities by visiting our Advocacy Action Center: https://www.votervoice.net/COPD/Campaigns/135958/Respond

We want to extend a special thank-you to our sponsors who made IMPACT 2026 possible! Thank you Boehringer Ingelheim, Chiesi USA, Inc., Insmed Incorporated, Sanofi/Regeneron, Theravance Biopharma US, Inc., and Viatris. Your support is greatly appreciated!

11 hours ago

  • NewestOldest
  • das23Thanks to all the advocates. You are the best!!!8 hours ago
  • Ksmiles123Thank you to all who participated in Impact 2026 and to the sponsors who made this event possible. I look forward to hearing updates on these four critical priorities.
    Please take a few minutes to virtually support Impact 2026- it is a simplified way to contact your local representatives. Thank you, Katie 8 hours ago
  • das23Messages sent.......Again!!๐Ÿ‘5 hours ago
Suepink1

Suepink1

Interesting new read today from the COPD Foundation on Pseudomonas in people with non CF bronchiectasis and chronic rhinosinusitis:


Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Bronchiectasis | Journal of the COPD Foundation


not sure if that will open the link, but if it doesn't and you're interested, easy to search it.
Have a great day,

11 hours ago

Ksmiles123

Ksmiles123answered the question Is Nanoe-X air purification in Toyota cars safe if you have NTM?

Ncares, You are most welcome! We are here to assist you on this BNTM journey.

15 hours ago

Ksmiles123

Ksmiles123asked the question: Are you getting a good nights sleep?

Sleep is an essential part of the healing process. Sleep provides restoration within our bodies. It impacts our ability to perform our daily tasks such as airway clearance, treatments, preparation of highly dense nutritious foods , energy to exercise and …

19 hours ago

ncares

ncaresasked the question: Is Nanoe-X air purification in Toyota cars safe if you have NTM?

Apparently Toyota (in Europe) includes a Panasonic technology in the air conditioning system in some of its cars. Nanoe-X technology feeds trillions of nano-sized, atomized water particles into the ventilation airflow. These hydroxyl radicals have been …

1 day ago

Ksmiles123

Ksmiles123

Hello! Warner temperatures have arrived in many parts of the USA. Have you been able to get out for a walk or some type of exercise? The link below reviews the benefits of regular exercise: https://www.bronchiectasisandntminitiative.org/Learn-More/I-am-a-Patient-or-Caregiver/Exercise

1 day ago

Ksmiles123

Ksmiles123Hello! Are you looking for some inspiration today? Below are a list of 65 Spring related quotes: https://www.keepinspiring.me/spring-quotes/ 
Let us know if you find a favorite one that inspires you! ๐Ÿ˜

Spring Quotes to Make Your Soul Bloom

Ready for a season of new beginnings? Check out the best spring quotes to prime your mind and spirit for the season of renewal.

2 days ago

Ksmiles123

Ksmiles123Hello! Uplifting drug development news to share!!!The information below was posted by Dr M. Flammer, Chief Medical Officer at Insmed:
We are taking another step forward today to bring meaningful progress to people living with MAC lung infection. We shared positive topline results from our Phase 3b ENCORE study, which demonstrated encouraging and consistent results that provide a meaningful difference for those living with this serious infection.

3 days ago

Ksmiles123

Ksmiles123

Hello! Do you understand the difference between health care disparities and healthcare inequities? Health inequity and health disparity are related but differ in meaning. Health Disparities refer to measurable differences in health outcomes between groups, often influenced by factors such as socioeconomic status, geography, or race. Health Inequity focuses on the unjust and avoidable differences in health outcomes that arise from inequalities. It emphasizes the moral and ethical dimensions of health differences, highlighting that these inequities are often rooted in social injustices and discrimination. Disparities are about measurable differences, while inequities address the fairness of those differences. 
Disparities can arise from various factors, including environmental influences, whereas inequities stem from social determinants such as poverty, education, and access to healthcare. A health disparity might be the higher prevalence of respiratory issues in a specific group compared to others. A health inequity would be the roadblock that prevents that group from getting quality healthcare, leading to worse health outcomes. Let us know if you have any questions.

4 days ago

TimD

TimD created the event April 2026 BronchandNTM360social Coffee Break

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. …

4 days ago

  • Ksmiles123I am so looking forward to listening to this presentation. Many major advances have been made in the field of CF over the past few years. I am looking forward to hearing about the connection between CF and Non CF and possible future treatments. I hope you will be able to join us. 4 days ago
Jenifer70

Jenifer70

Finally a clear chest x ray ๐Ÿ™Œ 

4 days ago

Ksmiles123

Ksmiles123Happy Saturday! I hope that you have a pleasant day! 

5 days ago

Ksmiles123

Ksmiles123Spring has finally sprung!!! Yippee ๐Ÿฅณ! Today marks the first day of spring, as of 745am. I hope that you are excited about being able to get out and about more frequently. Getting out for short or long walks is so good for our lungs, and our emotional wellbeing.https://www.calendardate.com/spring_2026.htm

When is Spring 2026 - Calendar Date

Spring 2026 starts on Friday, March 20th in the Northern Hemisphere, with daylight time lengthening and the leaves begining show on the trees with the changing tilt of the earth's axis.

6 days ago

360Coach Brandon

360Coach Brandon

Today is World Storytelling Day, and what better time to honor the power of your story. ๐Ÿ’™

If you are living with COPD, bronchiectasis, NTM, or another lung condition โ€” or caring for someone who is โ€” your story matters more than you may realize. The hard days, the small wins, the setbacks, the strength it takes to keep goingโ€ฆ all of it can mean something deeply important to someone else reading along.

Sometimes sharing your story is more than just opening up. It becomes a hand reaching out to someone who feels scared, overwhelmed, or alone. It shows others that even when life is not easy, there is still courage, resilience, hope, and a way to keep moving forward.

You may never fully know how many people are encouraged by your path, your honesty, and the ways you endure and thrive. But it happens every day in this community.

So for World Storytelling Day, we would love to hear from you. What has your journey taught you? What would you want someone newly diagnosed, or a fellow caregiver, to know? Your voice could be exactly what someone else needs today. ๐Ÿ’ซ

6 days ago

  • NewestOldestClick to View All Comments5 comment(s)
  • Alyssa DittnerThank you, Brandon and Katie, for sharing the importance of having a voice! We are collecting 12 videos to highlight for World Bronchiectasis Day, and so far we have 3. If youโ€™re interested in sharing your story or message, weโ€™d love to hear from you.6 days ago
  • LucindaThe first time a doctor asked me, "what's your story", I had no idea what he was asking. I had never had anyone to ask me that before. I started talking. I later learned the art of telling my story for impact and influence.  Sharing my story with other patients to help them to not feel alone.  And later sharing my story with providers across the country creating awareness, impact and influence.

    Sharing you story with family is often difficult but necessary. Especially if you are the proband... first person diagnosed in a family., as I am.  Telling your story is important!6 days ago
  • Ksmiles123Lucinda,
    Sharing your story with family and close friends is so important so they can truly understand your concerns, challenges. BNTM is usually an invisible disorder since most of us donโ€™t carry any special medical equipment. We look well and are often misunderstood. Sharing our stories lessens the chance of being misunderstood and helps us to be accepted where we are. 6 days ago
Ksmiles123

Ksmiles123answered the question Brinsupri Results

Thank you for posting the link. Post-bronchodilator FEV1 a common test that determines how well your lungs are working, was measured at 1 year in the ASPEN study. People taking placebo saw a decline of 62 mL compared with 50 mL for those taking …
Countryviolet also answered the question Countryviolet also answered the question

6 days ago

Ksmiles123

Ksmiles123Hello! An interesting but technical research article below on the reasons why some respiratory patients do not take or stay with the medications that their healthcare provider prescribes: https://journal.copdfoundation.org/jcopdf/id/1575/Determinants-of-Medication-Nonadherence-Among-Diverse-Adults-With-Chronic-Obstructive-Pulmonary-Disease

Let us know if you have any questions. 

Determinants of Medication Nonadherence Among Diverse Adults With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Introduction: High rates of medication nonadherence contribute to poor outcomes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but the mechanisms driving nonadherence remain poorly understood. Methods: We conducted qualitative semistructured interviews to evaluate barriers and facilitators of inh

1 week ago

marsrocket

marsrocketIt's National Let's Laugh Day. What makes you giggle or snort or tee-hee? Like they say, laughter is good medicine. (click on image)

1 week ago

Ksmiles123

Ksmiles123

Health inequities in respiratory patients exist in different forms, impacting their access to care and health outcomes. Individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds often face barriers such as limited access to healthcare, and environmental pollutants, which exacerbate respiratory conditions. Certain racial and ethnic groups experience higher rates of respiratory diseases due to many factors, including discrimination in healthcare access and differences in treatment quality.Occupational health risks, such as exposure to harmful substances,  affect workers in specific industries, leading to higher incidences of conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Access to respiratory healthcare can vary by region, with rural areas often lacking specialized services and resources, leading to poorer health outcomes. Are you or a loved one experiencing health care inequalities in your area? 

1 week ago

  • NewestOldestClick to View All Comments5 comment(s)
  • Alyssa DittnerAt the CCN, we have an entire committee dedicated to this subject. We will soon be recording a podcast! We are always trying to move mountains, even if it is one rock at a time.โค6 days ago
  • Ksmiles123Alyssa,
    I am so looking forward to listening to the podcast on this topic. 6 days ago
  • Ksmiles123An example of a health inequality is that some individuals are not guided by their healthcare provider to seek the resources they need to improve their respiratory health. A few examples include: Respiratory therapists could assist patients in learning airway clearance- some insurance companies will provide this service, some will not. Dieticians can provide nutritional guidance for underweight patients- some insurance companies offer this, some do not. Informing patients of their options affects their long term outcomes. Most people do not read in between the lines of their health insurance manuals and understand what is covered and what is not covered . Proper guidance, and education by a healthcare provider and our BNTM community can lead to better health outcomes. 5 days ago
Ksmiles123

Ksmiles123

Health Equity Matters for all BNTM patients.  Everyone deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life, get quality healthcare โ€” no matter their zip code, income, race, education, or background. Health equity means removing barriers, addressing disparities, and ensuring access to quality care for all.  Fairness in health isnโ€™t a privilege โ€” itโ€™s a right.  Have you experienced unfairness in healthcare practices in your community?

1 week ago

Kalli Mago

Kalli MagoDuring this monthโ€™s Coffee Break, we talked about exacerbationsโ€”a sudden worsening of symptoms in bronchiectasis or NTM lung disease. If youโ€™re curious to learn more on the subject, check out this previous episode of the Bronchiectasis & NTM Association Podcast: https://copdf.co/exacerbations-podcast. 

In this episode, Dr. Tim Aksamit, Medical Director of the Bronchiectasis & NTM Association, answers the top five questions about exacerbations submitted by the 360social community. Listen to learn how to recognize an exacerbation, track your symptoms, understand the role of the environment, and more.

1 week ago

Ksmiles123

Ksmiles123

Today is Impact Lung Health Day. Our BNTM team of advocates are meeting with our representatives in DC today. It is a long day of continuous meetings to increase awareness on BNTM  and to educate our representatives on how BNTM impacts our lives. Our overall  โ€œ askโ€ is to secure more funding for research on BNTM. We are aiming for better treatments, coverage for pulmonary rehab and more.  
The greater the number of patients, the greater the impact will be. Let us know if you would be interested in joining the group for the annual event in March of 2027. 

1 week ago

Ksmiles123

Ksmiles123

1 week ago

Ksmiles123

Ksmiles123answered the question NTM and macrolide resistance

Barnco, Hello! I am sorry to read about your reoccurrence after an extended period of time. Reoccurrence is very common in the NTM community. Do not believe everything that you read online. Do you have access to a top doctor, one of the BNTM Care Center …
360Coach Brandon also answered the question 360Coach Brandon also answered the question

1 week ago

Ksmiles123

Ksmiles123Do you feel like speaking Irish/ Gaelic for the day? โ˜˜๏ธ๐Ÿ’š Below are commonly used words/ phrases: https://happyirishwanderers.com/best-irish-phrases-you-need-to-know/
Let us know if you have a favorite Irish โ˜˜๏ธ phrase. 

1 week ago

Ksmiles123

Ksmiles123Top of the morning to you! Happy St. Patrickโ€™s Day to our BNTM Community! ๐Ÿ€Did you know that St. Patrickโ€™s Day began as a celebration of hope and resilience? St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, is remembered for bringing faith, perseverance, and new beginnings to the Irish people during difficult times. Over the years, the day has grown into a celebration of strength, community, a little bit of luck and more.๐Ÿ’šLiving with bronchiectasis and NTM takes patience, and determination every single day. But together, we create something powerful โ€” a community where people support each other, share knowledge, and lift one another up.So today, I am sending a little Irish luck your way:
โ˜˜๏ธ Luck for clearer lungs
โ˜˜๏ธ Luck for healing and hope
โ˜˜๏ธ Luck for brighter tomorrows
Letโ€™s celebrate the strength and spirit of every person in this group. You are never walking this path alone. May your day be filled with hope, encouragement, and a touch of Irish luck. ๐Ÿ€

1 week ago

barnco24

barnco24asked the question: NTM and macrolide resistance

Hi, Recently found out I have MAC again (successfully treated m.avium species 10 years ago) but now have intracellular species and seems to be macrolide resistant. I have been looking at some very negative outcomes online for this scenario and wondering …

1 week ago

Ksmiles123

Ksmiles123answered the question Is it safe to use to inhale doterra breathe in a cup of boiled water?

Hello! I am very sensitive to chemicals and would not feel safe inhaling such chemicals. If you do decide to do so, please boil the water that you are using for at least 10 minutes to make sure the water has been cleaned of possible mycobacteria.
360Coach Brandon also answered the question 360Coach Brandon also answered the question

1 week ago

Franny

Frannyasked the question: Is it safe to use to inhale doterra breathe in a cup of boiled water?

With BE is it safe to inhale doterra essential oil breathe in a cup of boiled water?

1 week ago

Ksmiles123

Ksmiles123

Hello! Saint Patrickโ€™s Day is around the corner. Below is a list of 50 Irish dishes if you are feeling up to cooking. Let us know if you have a favorite Irish dish to share with the community: https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/st-patricks-day-party-recipes/

1 week ago

Medical Advice

It is not our intention to serve as a substitute for medical advice and any content posted should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. While we encourage individuals to share their personal experiences with bronchiectasis and NTM, please consult a physician before making changes to your own disease management plan.

 
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