Connect
← Return to Newbie here. Scared and overwhelmed by MAC treatment plan
Discussion
Newbie here. Scared and overwhelmed by MAC treatment plan
MAC & Bronchiectasis | Last Active: Aug 29, 2025 | Replies (78)Comment receiving replies
Were the doctors who saw/treated you in hospital specialists in NTM/MAC? I ask because we have a number of members who have successfully cleared their infections on a 2 drug regimen after being unable to tolerate either rifampin or ethambutol. There is also some emerging evidence that rifampin may not be needed to treat NTM inso e case.
Before you resign yourself to what you describe as a "death sentence" have you considered consulting with Mayo, National Jewish Health or another center specializing in Bronchiectasis and MAC?
Replies to "Were the doctors who saw/treated you in hospital specialists in NTM/MAC? I ask because we have..."
@gemini1956
FYI: The Tyler BE specialist, Dr. McShane, who had suggested I do anti biotics did not prescribe the rifampin for my MAI infection.
Barbara
Connect
Thanks for your reply. The doctor I had during the trial is a world leading specialist in NTM/MAC. The consultant overseeing my care after admission last week told me I HAVE to have ethambutol and Rifampicin alongside amikaycin (IV initially) and ethambutol on the regimen as only having a 2-drug regime has very high risk of making the mycobacteria avium anti biotic resistant. I have done extensive research over many months (not quackery but bonafide clinical data) that correlates with the opinion that rifampicin may have little of no benefit in treating MAC successfully. I’m currently awaiting results on my latest sputum sample to determine whether, now, I am already anti biotic resistant.