Abscessus - not coping well with treatment

Hang in there, it gets better. I also had nausea & very poor appetite. I did Boost vanilla shakes made by myself in my blender, Boost high protein (green cap bottle) & a cup of vanilla ice cream. After about a month of basically force feeding myself & taking 1/2 tablet phenergan for nausea, I started using less phenergan & slowly improved & eating multiple *small meals per day now. When I don't have energy to cook I pick up some pre-made meals at Sprouts Market or Market street. I am single & finding energy to cook is a goal every day for me. But, I do steam organic fresh vegetables in my steamer. Especially organic pre-washed spinach, asparagus, zucchini. I eat eggs frequently for protein value. Probably not healthy for me, but I found eating cereals with a little milk & the crunchy taste is my fav snack now with a cut up banana on top. Also like cottage cheese with crushed pineapple on top. KEEP TRYING with all different foods to see what texture & taste helps your taste buds. Good luck to you.

Hi, After my first ID dr appointment yesterday, I am being admitted to the hospital tomorrow to start 2 IV drugs (Amikacin & Imipenem), & oral Linezolid. My diagnoses are M Abscessus, NTB Mycobacterial pneumonia, Achrombacter pneumonia, & Bronchiectasis with acute lower respiratory infection.
It is good to hear your positive comments and suggestions regarding your treatment plan.
Hope it is a good day for everyone.

Linezolid!!! My unaware of side effects ID doc left me with irreversible neuropathy!! Stay on top of that just in case your ID doc is AWOL on side effects!!!

Hang in there, Janet. Since they admitted you, it sounds like they plan to watch you closely. Sending you healing wishes. Keep us posted.

A prescription from your doctor for Zofran will help along with bland foods. I find eating eggs, toast and rice or vanilla pudding helps coat my stomach. Also Ginger Ale and ginger chews may help. Good luck. One IV med I am on is tygecycline which is awful and causes N&V.

YES! Linezolid did the same to me. I had read it in the possible drug side effects notes on linezolid, so at least I was able to stop before my feet were totally numb, but my toes will have it permanently. I didn’t recognize what was happening until it got that far. If you’re on it and your toes and toenails start to hurt to the touch or by themselves, my opinion is to stop taking it immediately and call your doctor

I had my first 2 IV drugs this evening. The discomfort I am feeling is the needle but feels better now. They are drawing more blood soon. My ID dr did tell me that possible side effect but with my multiple diagnoses I don’t have other options for antibiotics. Plus my sinus culture results came yesterday and they are bad too, ID Dr said we will add what is needed to treat that too. Thanks for food suggestions and positive thoughts pacathy. 😊

Luckily mine didn’t happen until I had been on it for several months, and it might not happen to you at all😘

At home my Amikacin IV is taking 4 hours. Has anyone had Amikacin by IV at home? If so, was yours 4 hours? The 4 hours is emotionally draining and then followed by the Imipenem IV that is 2 hours. Please share your experience. My Dr did call me and he is working to get an oral drug to replace the Amikacin. If I had all oral drugs, I would be more positive going forward. Please share if you have had trouble getting the oral drugs instead of IV. Thank you.

I have been n both IV Amikacin and Imipenem since July 24th as well as Clofazimine. I have also started inhaled Arikayce. Both IV's take one hour each through my PICC line. Is your length of time on IV because of how much you have to take? My Imipenem is 1g every 12 hours and Amikacin 500 mg one a day. Am I better, not yet but hoping. Can't imagine anything being worse than this. Prayers for you!