@cindyrnc, Cindy, it is a VERY long story .. but when I was diagnosed in 2007 I had retired early .. then when I DID go on the antibiotics .. THAT is why I wrote the ORIGINAL post that is at the top of all the Main Page .. BECAUSE I did NOT have all the horrific side effects that I had read about .. and had held me back from starting them. Yes I had some .. but they were bearable and I was able to work around them. Each of our bodies are different .. we will react differently .. as you will read in these pages .. BUT our bodies settle down. We MUST remember .. our bodies are our friends .. our body is trying to help us heal .. WE must work with our bodies .. give it the tools it needs to help it heal .. NOT work against it by denying it the needed tools .. ie the antibodies it need to FIGHT the "nasty critters"! We NEED to supply our bodies with the "cannons" .. so if we need to ask our work to give us a "break" .. we do NOT have to be Super Woman .. ask them to work with us! Sound ok to you? Hope so! Hugs to you! Katherine

Good Morning,
I have bronchiectasis and MAC I am blessed not to have very many side effects from the "big 3" antibiotics, but have been on them for 12 months (doses were increased 3 months ago). I'm worried about the long term effects on my other organs. Does anyone have any research or insight to share about this.

Welcome to the MAC & Bronchiectasis group, @kgddean. I see this is your first post.
Good question about long term side effects of antibiotics on other organs. I'm tagging @windwalker @boomerexpert @tdrell @ling123 and @heathert to see if they know of any research or articles on the topic.

@kgddean , Hi there, and welcome to our group. Hopefully, your doctor is having you tested periodically to make sure there isn't any issues going on with other organs. They like to keep track of your liver function, eyesight and hearing. Did you have baseline tests done for those?

All you mentioned except hearing. I will check with my dr. Thank you.

Hi and welcome @kgddean , I have been on them for 3years and have the regular tests(liver,kidney,eyes,hearing). the only change is my hearing slightly at this time, research on this is a good idea and when I get a chance I will look it up.

@kgddean ....Windwalker is correct about testing and Dr keeping an eye on your responses while on meds....you might also check with pharmacist for info. Keep a log and share anything new occurring with Dr. Have you watched on ytube the videos from patient centered workshops from National Jewish Health. The ones from 2016 had lots of info on drugs. Tdrell

What drugs and doses were you on and what did they increase them to?

I have gotten to about 2 months so far. I thus far am not having too many side effects and I hope it stays that way. I was scared to start but I am hoping they are doing the job until we get better options. I answered to that survey on line but I think it disqualified me when I answered the question if I or a family member works in the medical field. Cuz after I answered it it stopped. I don't think that is fair at all.

I'm not on antibiotics...would help if I could!