Anyone notice a change in abdominal girth while on MAC meds?

Hi, I don't like to blame anything on age or menopause, haha! I'm 64 yo, 5'4 and 116 with a beautiful hourglass figure and super flat abdomen (daily runner). Now, we could all tell you that it's age, meds, etc. related, BUT how is your mental health (be honest!!!). Any stress not handled with
love and care will exacerbate any belly issues in just a few weeks.For many of us on this site, meditation, yoga, jog, run, speed walks, weightlifting, etc. along with very clean eating
is preventing weight loss and
saving our mental health.
I hope others pitch in with their thoughts because I think bloating/belly gain is a new topic here???, so maybe someone else is having that side effect that could help you.

I am in the same boat. I’m 63, 5’9” and have always been thin with no stomach. I am now super thin at 114 pounds, but since going on meds, I have a bloated belly. It sounds the same as you describe yours. I keep thinking, between the antibiotics and probiotics, there’s a war going on in my gut. For the two years before going on the antibiotics, I was under a lot of stress, but this has only happened since starting the meds. Although I do want to say, as a health coach, I am always seeing stress turning into belly fat with clients. Particularly postmenopausal women.

My guess is that the Big 3 cause inflammation of our intestines, and since our intestines are on average 24 feet long, I would certainly expect this bloating.
I’ve only been on the 3 every day for 3 weeks and experience the bloating, stomach aches and nausea.
Sherry

Yes, I think you’re right. I’m hoping things will calm down. I have also been on my three everyday for three weeks. I may be on different ones than you though since I have abscessus. Are yours for MAC? I also have some stomach aches from time to time but no nausea. Fatigue that comes and goes and a feeling like I’m sick and should be in bed about once a day which lasts about 30 minutes and then I’m fine. It comes out of nowhere. All in all I’m pretty relieved I don’t have worse symptoms and do feel like I’m getting better already with some bouts of energy I don’t normally get.

I have MAC and now a small cavity. I’ve been having problems with dizziness behind my eyes (eye misalignment) since I started with the meds so my doctor is allowing me to discontinue the ethambutol until I see him again in 3 weeks. Can’t wait for it to go away, along with stomach aches. Don't know what’s next…

This is so difficult because it's different for everyone. Thankfully there should be other options for you that they are looking into.

My doctor took me off of that drug yesterday until I see him again in 3 weeks. I feel better today- no nausea so don’t need the Zofran, and the dizziness behind my eyes is gone.
I don’t know what is next but this is a relief. I had gone to NJH in Denver in July, and that doctor had mentioned the 3x weekly injections on top of the big 3. My doctor here in IL chose not to do that right now. This is all so hard when you’ve been asymptomatic. I had pneumonia in May of ‘24; the CT 2 months later showed MAC. So it’s been a year of CT’s and 2 bronchoscopes. I’ve been plant based for 5 years and have always loved to work out. Mostly hiking, group classes at the Y. You sound very health conscious too. It should certainly help us to get through this!

My mental health is very likely the worst it has been since at least 2018!
I underwent some extensive pelvic surgery in October of last year (for the 3 time). This time, because my tissue tore so easily each time the doctor tried to suture the porcine graft in place (derived from a pig bladder) I have a connective tissue disorder. Because it is the third time doing relatively the same surgery I have not healed properly and I’m having daily and chronic pain at one year postop. I cannot walk, stand very long or ride my bike due to the pain. Each of those exercises are very therapeutic for me. My husband is also under medical care and has treatments twice a week that last about 4 hours each visit. It has been a very stressful time for us for about the past two years. Thank you for your reply and thank you for asking.

Thank you for your reply! Yes, I am taking Rifampin, Ethambutol and Azithromycin; all 3 for MAC.

The bloating is miserable! I take probiotics and hope they are helping some. Thank you for your reply =)