@sumner, hello and welcome! Do you have a first name? We'd like to know you better. You have come to the right place to get answers and support. We have many older posts to read back on if you want to take the time to read through them. I know that recent posts had comments about probiotics. The only thing I know about them is that 'Live' ones are supposed to be best. They need to be taken two hours away from any antibiotic as antibiotics will kill the probiotic. There are helpful hints about when to take the rifamkin to make it easier on your stomach. Everyone is different, you may have to play with the schedule to see what works for you. Below, you will find info you will need while being on the 'cocktail'.

TESTING-baseline and periodic 1. Ethambutol – color vision and visual acuity: GET BASELINE PRIOR TO STARTING .. THEN QUARTERLY
2. Azithromycin – hearing and balance: GET BASELINE PRIOR TO STARTING .. THEN QUARTERLY
3. Rifampin - CBD (blood counts), liver and kidney function tests: GET BASELINE PRIOR TO STARTING .. THEN MONTHLY

OR TESTING:
BASELINE: HEARING AND VISION (Vision: Additional testing for eyes are use of the “eye chart” with letters read at 20 feet, and a red-green color book to distinguish changes in the ability to visualize colors.)

MONTHLY: BLOOD COUNTS, LIVER AND KIDNEY FUNCTION TESTS, SPUTUM CULTURES
QUARTERLY: HEARING and VISION
NOTE: Ethambutol – color vision and visual acuity – monthly ( Additional testing for eyes are use of the “eye chart” with letters read at 20 feet, and a red-green color book to distinguish changes in the ability to visualize colors.)

**** Lab tests:
CBC- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
ALT- Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) LIVER
alk phosphatase- Alkaline Phosphatase - LIVER
serum creatinine-. Creatinine and Creatinine Clearance-SERUM CREATININE - KIDNEY

TESTING RECOMMENDED FOR VITAMIN LEVELS 1. Ask for your VD-3 level to be checked .. they can get too low. Speak to your Doctor first .. but I took: NATURE MADE brand 5,000 IU of Vitamin D-3 (NOT VD) *From our member @tdrell Terri, my Primary Dr at NJH

We are here for you! - Terri M.

@sumner, this is Carolyn (@cld120). I was diagnosed with MAC in mid-June and after going to Mayo a few weeks ago, began taking Zithromax this week (no problem) & begin Rifampin next Monday & Ethambutol the following week. My gastroenterologist said to take Florastor to help fight antibiotic induced diarrhea, which was recently confirmed in a health publication I take. It's a bit pricey; I did some cost comparisons & ended up ordering 100 count from Costco (online) for ~$57.00.
Good luck!!

I would like to hear from those diagnosed with MAC -- I have bronchiectasis and Mayo's said 2 years ago that there was some MAC bacteria in my testing at that time. They decided to not treat it and to just watch. They are treating for bronchiectasis bacterias. I'm not ill --- my flares are horrid coughing and green phlegm ---- whooping cough sounding.

My question is: What type symptoms would I expect if indeed MAC could be a problem for me at this time. Are you ill --- coughing ---- or what symptoms are being experienced with MAC. I oftentimes wonder if it is better or worse for me at this time. My last four 24-hour sputum tests have been negative but I realize no one would know about MAC in a 24-hour test. Can others help me???? Thanks

@auntnanny - I have no symptoms so will let those who do answer...I know they have all had hacking coughs and eventual blood production...

Did they just learn you have MAC from sputum collection (with no symptoms???

@auntnanny I believe you're asking me? I learned quite by accident from a CAT scan while in the hospital for another reason...followed up with recommended bronch and here I am!
BTW, I learned from our wonderful group founder that it's quite helpful to specify to whom you're speaking as I do with you...works very well!
Terri