Two drug IV infusion for Mycobacterium Abcessus.

I commented on your Linezolid discussion. Sounds like we have the same diagnosis and treatment except for tigecycline. My IVs were Amikacin and Imipenem, and the oral Linezolid. I had the picc line for 2 months and my husband administered my IVs.
I saw your discussion about picc line and wanted to share I used dry shampoo a lot to avoid washing my hair as much. I did have a friend help with washing and drying my hair, and went to my hairdresser once.
Also, my ID doctor said that my strain of M Abscessus does carry the Erm41 gene.
Thinking of you as you start your treatment.

@janetannfaust yes. Your information was very helpful. It sounds like we are on a similar drug regimen. My body is adjusting to the meds. Some days are pretty good but I have bouts of nausea that is helped by homemade ginger tea. I appreciate you taking time to post that info. I am praying for us nightly. What a strange germ we have🥴

@janetannfaust I have a question… the only drug I take other than the mycobacterium regimen is Metoprolol for high blood pressure and SVTs. I am a bit concerned about taking the Linezolid as it “can”trigger blood pressure to rise. Have you experienced any reactions while taking it, other than the peripheral neuropathy?

We are so alike, I have an SVT and take Propranolol 160 mg daily. At some doctor appointments my BP might have been slightly elevated but usually it was my low normal. I anemia from Linezolid that made me feel terrible the month of November. Now I make sure to eat foods with iron. I have been borderline anemia before this treatment. I took my Linezolid late afternoon so I didn’t feel nauseous all day. Also, I took a half or 1/4th of Zofran to help with the nauseous feeling from Nuzyra. I tried some teas and ginger ale for awhile.
Are your IVs lasting hours? If so I found out that it goes faster if you put the IV pole on a card table so it almost reaches the ceiling. This made a BIG difference for me.
Thanks for prayers, I am doing the same for you. 🙏

@janetannfaust my Iv vary. I do 2 drugs 3 days a week for 1/2 hour each and 1 drug 4 days a week for half hour. My big worry is all the foods you need to avoid while taking linezolid. If you look online it’s all over the place. I worry about the possibility of a cardiac event if I mistakenly eat a wrong food item. Do you have any advice on food?

That’s nice your IVs aren’t every day.
I was worried about the food too and mentioned it to my ID. He didn’t think the food was a big concern. You can message your ID and ask his opinion or if you speak with a specialty pharmacy ask them.
My ID did order a monthly EKG while I was on the IVs and Linezolid because 2 of the drugs could affect my heart QTc prolongation. My numbers were always good.
I thought of a few other items to mention….
-I did get yeast infections a few times so ID ordered the script to take monthly and stopped infection again.
-I take a daily probiotic and drink Kefir.
-I have been tested for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin and results were 1 abnormal gene. ID and Pulmonologist mentioned sending me to the genetic counseling clinic for further testing.
-I use nebulizer daily and have the vibrating vest. I can’t produce a sputum sample so I’ve had 2 bronchoscopies for cultures. I have BE too.
And try to do “normal” stuff as much as possible for your well being. 😊
Have a happy day!

@janetannfaust I am so glad we have connected. You have been of great help. If you read the Internet it seems you can’t eat anything. Meats aren’t a problem for me as I only eat seafood, veggies and fruit. I think the big thing to avoid is aged items and fermented foods. I have a list I will refer to from the internet. I too was tested for Alpha1 gene but that was negative. I do need to get a probiotic, what are you taking?I am trying to do “some” of my normal activities but I am only a week into this journey and my body needs to adjust to the meds ( I hope). I try to get a short walk in once, sometimes twice a day. I rest a lot because I have too. The nausea comes and goes.. again thanks for all your kind help and if you could let me know what probiotic you’re on, I’d really appreciate it.

I am happy we connected on here too. Sounds like you are doing positive things and resting when needed.
Good you ruled out Alpha-1.
I use SEED probiotic/prebiotic. You can search on this group for other suggestions. My Gastro doctor suggested taking it in the morning with food. I order it on their website and usually get a discount. I had nausea with the IVs and Linezolid too, not fun.
I am on my way to Rhinologist appt, I have chronic pansinusitis.
Take care.

@janetannfaust thank you . I hope you have a wonderful day.

I IV'd both of those through a picc line in the chest, nebulized another antibiotic and took the satanic linezolid. In addition to mycobacterium I had pseudomonis and aspergillis. Beware of linezolid...NEUROPATHY!!! This was all several years ago. I am taking treatments for the neuropathy and have had improvement.
I am keying this into my phone from a hospital bed. I had made it for over one full year without any sickness. Then a week ago monday I woke up a scratchy sore throat. Scared me because I knew where this probably headed. Saw pulmo that day and got some treatment but tightness hung aroun. Sunday AM scariest moments...when I coughed, could not clear anything. It was a full second or two before I could inhale! Scared!! Went to ER and got admitted. Long story short (I already blew that). I've had 2 bronchoscopies, one on Monday and one on Wednesday. First one, doc said I was packed with pus and he could clear only about half of it because my thorax (?) kept collapsing (bronchomalacia). I could breath much better but later on Tuesday I could tell I was filling up again. Different pulmo doc ( first out of town) went back in on Wednesday and it went much better with the prior knowledge from the first bronch. She tried a little different technique, plus filled me with mucinex to hoover me clean. Breathing is great! Now the big test is will I be able to clear the lungs on my own when the mucous starts collecting again from my BE???? Sorry this is so long, but I'm stuck in a hospital bed with time on my hands.