The Big Three

Posted by machelp @machelp, Jan 2 9:23pm

What is the Big Three? Is it Rifadin, Azithromycin, and Ethambutol? I have read several referring to the Big Three in reading your posts. I began taking those particular antibiotics recently and was wondering if those are considered the Big Three.

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pmmar1 | @pmmar1 | Jan 3 9:49am

Those are the Big 3.

ralphcmtrust | @ralphcmtrust | Jan 3 12:01pm

Yes, good luck with the side effects

machelp | @machelp | Jan 3 2:56pm

In reply to @ralphcmtrust "Yes, good luck with the side effects" + (show)

Is diarrhea a major side effect of the Big 3? My ID physician prescribed Cholestramine to combat the continuous diarrhea I have been experiencing. So far, I have seen little to no improvement, and I feel so weak.

melb0606 | @melb0606 | Jan 3 3:22pm

That is the big 3 and i believe GI issues are a potential side effect. Im so sorry you are dealing with that. I just started the same meds on dec 19 and so far my GI has been ok. I am drinking lots of ginger tea and taking ginger lozenges. Im not sure if that will help you? I hope you feel better soon!

Kristi H. | @ldylouis | Jan 5 9:51pm

In reply to @machelp "Is diarrhea a major side effect of the Big 3? My ID physician prescribed Cholestramine to..." + (show)

If it does not help, call your doctor as soon as possible. The diarrhea can be worse on your body than the antibiotics.

Kristi H. | @ldylouis | Jan 5 9:58pm

In reply to @ralphcmtrust "Yes, good luck with the side effects" + (show)

I had a change in the color of my urine with the big three. I got diarrhea from another antibiotic that I got that finally cleared a secondary infection that started this whole thing. I showed having pneumonia that wasn't responding to antibiotics. They did a bronchial wash and 6 weeks later had the MAC diagnosis. I am off all antibiotics because none of the doctors have responded to the pharmacy to refill them. The only issue is my MAC had spread during the 2 months between x-rays. I have an appointment with the infectious disease doctor and am awaiting one with a specialist. Maybe they are waiting until I get in with the ID doctor. None of them know I have started working on a specialist yet.

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jan 6 10:55am

In reply to @ldylouis "I had a change in the color of my urine with the big three. I got..." + (show)

Good for you Kristi - if we have learned anything with MAC, it is to be our own best advocate. That means searching for the right pulmonologist.

Sometimes, if you post your general location, you can get a suggestion from another member.

machelp | @machelp | Jan 6 11:41am

In reply to @ldylouis "If it does not help, call your doctor as soon as possible. The diarrhea can be..." + (show)

After reducing the rifampin to one capsule a day (instead of 3) and taking cholestyramine for a week, the diarrhea has subsided slightly. The cholestyramine prescription label instructions say to take for 10 days so I only have a couple of days left before stopping it. I hope the diarrhea doesn't return once I discontinue the cholestyramine. Fingers crossed.

ace71 | @ace71 | Jan 7 10:15pm

Has anyone lost their voice after being on the big 3? I've only been on them for 3 months but my voice is so gravely.

mimisbmc | @mimisbmc | Jan 9 9:48pm

In reply to @melb0606 "That is the big 3 and i believe GI issues are a potential side effect. Im..." + (show)

When I was on those meds I took Zofren and then waited 20 minutes before taking the antibiotics. It was a pain in the butt because it took along time but I stopped throwing up.