Depression and anxiety

I'm going to bump this up. I'm not on big three and can't help with question, but it's a good one and shouldn't get lost.

Edit to add-here's a previous thread I found in forum search. I didn't read most, but seems pertinent. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/the-pyschological-aspect-of-dealing-with-bronchiectasis-and-mac/

Been on Valium since I was diagnosed with MAC and Bronchiectasis in 12/22.
I became afraid of the dark and can’t sleep without Ambien .

I started leaving the bathroom light on at night.
I've been reading the information pamphlets that come with my medicines.
Just about everyone of them have osteoporosis as a side effect.
Mirtazapine can cause shallow breathing, same for synthroid and of course clonazepam.
I have stopped the Mirtazapine for now because do I need one more drug to effect my breathing.
My endocrinologist wants me to take medicine for my osteoporosis. I'm going to stick to walking and keeping busy with chores.
I was just thinking if I agreed to fusion and he gave me a pamphlet on side effects.
I would read may cause osteoporosis!
Clonazepam keeps me from pulling my hair out and screaming.
At least that's how I feel.

Sheila, you're having a tough time now. Is someone coordinating your medications, perhaps your primary care doctor or your infectious disease doctor? If you're being treated at a university or research center, maybe the pharmacy staff could look at all your prescriptions and over the counter medications and share their opinion. With so many medicines for so many conditions, the chances of interactions greatly increase.

Being afraid of the dark is nothing new for me, it started as a child. For years, every Christmas my mother gave me a plug-in nightlight 🙂 Wishing you a good day.

I have a houseful of night lights!. Some that are sensor and come on when I walk by and others I leave on all the time. Those accidental falls can do much harm. My bone density is off the scale in negative territory but I am hesitant to start any of the drugs for the osteoporosis. Tried three in the past and had side affects. I have fallen twice in the last decade and so far, so far, no broken bones. If I ever get to the point where I am unstable on my feet, it will be time for a handy, dandy walker.
Barbara

I've had some close calls mostly at night when get up to go to bathroom.
A couple of times getting up from recliner to go to bed.
I won't take the medicine either.
For a while now I've been unsteady when walking.
I went to PT to work on my gait.
The therapist said I walk to fast and need to slow down.
Not so easy.
I've lost so much weight and muscle, sometimes I feel as though I'm being pushed forward by the slightest breeze.
I hope that makes sense.

Thank you.
I am having a tough time.
I did see my ID doctor today.
He said it's okay to take all the pills before bed and see if that works for me.
His main concern is that I eat and not lose anymore weight.
Not to worry about the one hour before a meal or 2 hours after. I started all 6 tonight at same time. I'm hoping this works for me.
My neighbor told me the only way she knows the day of the week is to look at her pillbox.
I've never had a pillbox before now.

If you are losing a lot of weight, you should seriously consider meeting with a certified dietitian. Michelle MacDonald recently spoke at the NTM and Bronchiectasis conference in Berkeley California. In addition to working at National Jewish Health, she also has a consulting business. She has helped many people gain weight. Linda Esposito

I agree with Linda that a dietician consult would help you get the most calories and the right ones to help you recover. If you send a message to your doc, I'd bet he would suggest one. I'll pass on a couple tips from ones that saw my late husband when he couldn't eat after a stem cell transplant for a blood cancer years ago. The motto on the unit was "no free liquids" meaning every sip needed calories. If you can drink Ensure, look for the Ensure plus that has 50% more calories/cc . Concentrate on high calorie foods now for snacking like cheese and nuts. Add cream to any drink if it sounds good.
The docs put my hubby on an antidepressant during that time. I think it's fairly common for people who have to start dealing with chronic illnesses. Don't hesitate to ask your docs for what you need-we deserve all help we can get. The idea of getting a pharmacist to help sort of med interactions is a good one. Perhaps you could even call and ask them to look over meds and call you after they've had time to review them. It might help you feel more comfortable asking your doc.
I think all of us start getting pill boxes and medical equipment with this disease and it's a bit of a shock to realize our health has changed and we're dealing with a chronic problem. It does get easier as we learn to manage it.
Keep us posted on how you're doing with the change in timing of the meds, how you're feeling and if you doc adjusts the meds, not just the MAC but for your depression, too. Hugs.

Yes as others have posted we, yes I also, need to put the weight back on. I have put some back on. Just those few pounds made a big difference.
I was not steady on my feet and was tripping over myself. I was shocked with how unsteady I was. My footing was obviously not strong and grounded. Once I put a few pounds on all that changed.
I still need to do more to put the weight back on which means purposely adding all the things that the other posts suggested. I had finally come to that decision of what I needed to do a good few days ago. For me it is a one or the other because of cholesterol. So choices sometimes are difficult but one can figure that out...choices again. At least it is food and not medications, for now.
We need the weight on, increase our BMI, get our strong footing back, and feel healthy.
Barbara