Is anyone constipated with MAC/MAI antibiotic therapy

@roslynroslyn
I am just the opposite, loose stool all the time for months. I do get BLOATING a lot though & I feel it's from the azithromycin of the big 3. I used to take Azithromycin 250 mgm. 3x week years ago per my lung doc before I found out i had MAC. On those days when I took it, I would immediately fill up with gas/bloating. This is what I do now: when I take the big 3 I also take 2 gas X tabs. Then later, in several hours if still bloated, I take one more.
For me, it really helps. Please check with your doctor, as constipation is awful. I also add fiber like sweet potatoes to my diet frequently.

@tte This is my first time posting. I began taking Rifampin, ethambuto and Clarithromycin for MAC almost 3 months ago. I began eating Greek yogurt every morning which I believe is helping some with gut problems

@44tankie I’m gluten/dairy/soy/
refined sugar
etc free. So hard!
The difference in our meds is I take azithromycin not clarithomycin. All 3x weekly. This constipation is brutal!

Yes! The only way I have a bowl movement is if I take 2 Dulcolax every night with at least 1 stool softener. I’ve tried everything, but nothing else works. I have always had trouble because I was born with my intestines grown together. Had to have reconstructive surgery at 2 days old.

@bep2 I've had IBS for decades with mostly constipation, for which I take a Citrucel tablet every morning (for fiber). I was also taking a morning dose of MiraLAX, which is a stool softener that my GI recommended. When I began the Big Three, I had to stop the MiraLAX
as I began having diarrhea. It seems like a constant adjustment is necessary to avoid going from one extreme to the other. But I do think the Greek yogurt has helped me, more so than a pill or capsule probiotic was doing because the yogurt has "live" cultures.

@44tankie I too have IbS with constipation but since the big 3 I am severely constipated. It is the meds for sure and being gluten and dairy free, yoghurt is not an option.

@44tankie @roslynroslyn You both may be doing all this, if it is within what you can do considering health problems....load up on those green veggies. If I don't have enough veggies I can tell a difference....and of course as many of those 8 glasses of water that most of us need.
Constipation for me, when it happens, causes headaches for me and disturbs my ability to have a good nights sleep.
Barbara

@roslynroslyn I am vegan and eat Kite Hill Greek Yogurt, which is dairy free and made from live active cultures. I believe it is also gluten free but gluten can be sneaky, as I am sure you know, so just double check that. I have had other bumps on the meds, but (knock on wood) no GI distress.
https://kite-hill.com/products/vanilla-unsweetened-greek-yogurt-16oz

@blm1007blm1007
Thank you for your input. I drink water but due to food intolerance, I can’t eat many veggies…and I love them😟