melb06, Hi. You're smart. I was diagnosed with MAC last spring, but it wasn't until today that I thought to look online for support groups. I was scared in the beginning, too, more about the drug regimen than the actual disease since at the time I was non-symptomatic. The side effects of the antibiotics haven't been terrible. Over the last six months, I've learned to expect fatigue (and sometimes chills) the day after I take my meds. Blood work has indicated no worrisome changes, and my teeth have not turned orange. Yay! I expect the next time I see my pulmonologist, he will want me to have my eyes checked. I also expect he'll want to increase my dosages again since the coughing has gotten worse, not better. May all go well for you as you begin the trek.