When my ID physician first prescribed treatment for MAC, he told me that I would be taking 3 oral antibiotics (azithromycin, rifampin, & ethambutol) for approximately a year to 18 months. He told me that I would be taking arikayce via a nebulizer in the beginning for 2 months or possibly more. Once I was on all four medications for 2 1/2 months, I tested negative for MAC via sputum samples. My ID physician told me to stop arikayce treatments once my third month supply was gone. I don't know why, but that was his plan in the beginning when I first started treatment. I am very happy that my treatment is being successful after only 2 1/2 months, and my physician has reduced the dosages of two of my medications and stopped the arikayce treatments. I am still taking the full dosage of ethambutol but am hoping the dosage can be reduced as I progress. My side effects have not been fun.