MAC patients: Did you take probiotics during your treatment?

Hi. I will be starting daily dosing of the big 3 for a MAC cavitary lung infection. Thinking that probiotics may help to avoid GI issues. Wondering if there are any brand recommendations.

Thanks!

Yes! I have taken probiotics a long time.

I am in my 3rd month of Azithromycin and ethambutol plus inhaled Arikayce or placebo (in a study). My gi doc recommended florastor or align. I'm using florastor and it is night and day from years of generic probiotics. According to their marketing they are the only probiotic proven in studies to help gi health during antibiotic treatment. I get from Costco which seems cheapest. I started the florastor the same time as I started the "Big 2+" so I have no comparison to being on treatment without probiotics or with different brands.

While the medical community is not convinced of the value of probiotics with antibiotics, many of us found them helpful in reducing GI issues.

If you ask 50 people, you will probably get 40 different recommendations. We have a great co-op/health food store, and I asked the supplement manager which ones she had to reorder most frequently, thinking they would be the most effective, then alternating between 3 of them. In addition, I found using live-culture Greek yogurt helpful - I make my own, but you can also buy it.

Even more important, he may have a loss of appetite, or taste for certain foods. So be prepared to keep small, easy, nutrition dense snacks on hand and offer then frequently - nuts, cheese, yogurt, slices of uncured meats. If nausea is an issue, Gin-Gin candies, ginger tea, real ginger ale, or other ginger products may help.

Also -- I did a search here probably for "probiotics" and there's a tremendous amount of experience people have shared. All best wishes for your treatment!

My doctor started me on probiotics before we knew I had MAC. I was being treated just for pneumonia with strong antibiotics. It seems to have made a huge difference.

Thank you all for your replies!