Have to start the big three

I have learned allot from everyone.

Hi @jkiemen Try different times of the day everyone reacts differently so hard to know to know, I take mine first thing in the morning as it fits in with my other meds. take them with a cracker to help your stomach, even though some say on empty stomach this has now changed (NJH advise). There are great videos on Mac on the NJH website.Good luck.

Hello JoAnn, I took Azithromycin, Ethambutol, Rifampin for 18 months and then inhaled Amikacin for 3 months. The side effect of the meds. is making me sick on my stomach, cramping, and diarrhea but it went away after a few months. I found out to avoid stomach cramping is eat rice and banana and that calm my stomach. I went to NJH and my Dr. took me off all the antibiotic and my 3 sputum culture came out negative. I went through what you are feeling and scared to death but it will be alright just listen to your body when you start your meds. We are all here for you. I will pray for you! Cila

Thank you, Prayers are welcomed. I have on my list for tomorrow Rice, Bananas, Ginger Tea, Ginger Lollies if I can find them and a good quality Probiotic..

@windwalker , @jkiemen - Here is what I have from Katherine. Keep in mind, she was taking meds for other things as well as MAC so weed out what doesn't apply.

**the probiotics should not be taken for at least two hours after you take the antibiotics
SCHEDULE FOR MEDS AND VITAMINS November 2011
1. Wake up: take probiotic, Aciphex & Synthroid on empty stomach
(Aciphex-at least 1/2 hour before eating-1 hour after. Separate Probiotic from antibiotic by at least 2 hours!)
2. Wait 30 minutes: Eat breakfast .. .. take regular a.m. meds & vitamins
3. 1 puff Qvar .. rinse mouth well .. brush teeth.(SET 5 CELL PHONE ALARMS!!).
4. ONE hour later take Homeopathic remedy after nothing in mouth for one hour
5. AT LEAST THREE hours later .. take Rifampin on empty stomach.
(Rifampin 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal with a full glass of water- 4 hour after vitamins)
*( IF POSSIBLE TAKE 2nd PROBIOTIC 2 hours after Rifampin)
6. AT LEAST ONE hour later.. take antiobiotics except Rifampin with a snack.
*OR 2 hours after Ripampin IF TOOK 2nd PROBIOTIC* (Avelox-4 hours after or 8 hour before multi vitamin with a full glass of water)
7. Six hours to Seven hours later take regular p.m. meds (Crestor &Evista) & multi vitamin & Nioxin (zinc)
after evening meal or snack. At least 2hrs (before or after) calcium, magnesium,iron or zinc.
8. Eight hours later take 2nd probiotics on empty stomach. **probiotics must be taken at least two hours after you take antibiotics
9. Nebulize Amikacin. Take nebulizer apart, clean in hot soapy water & sterilize nebulizer!
AVERAGE AMIKACIN SCHEDULE BETWEEN DAY TO DAY-try to stay same every day within 4 hours .. at least within a 12 hour period!
10. Before going to bed: take Homeopathic remedy after nothing in mouth for an hour. (as needed)
11. 1 puff Qvar .. rinse mouth well .. brush teeth.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

NOTES ON TAKING ANTIBIOTICS
Wake up am probiotic on empty stomach
Ripampin 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal with a full glass of water- 4 hour before vitamins
Ethambutol and Avelox (sleep disturbance) with Azithromycin: after breakfast with a full glass of water
8 hour before or 4 hours after multi vitamin
Bedtime: take regular p.m. meds & multi vitamin, Evista, Lipitor and pm probiotic.
Separate multi vitamin & probiotics from antibiotics by at least 4 hours if possible)
 
BUT RECENTLY I FOUND the below.. if I had it to do over again I think I might simplify it and JUST do this one probiotic daily and see if I could get by with just the one .. see what happened. BECAUSE it has 50 Billion PLUS it has 10 different probiotic strains .. ALL in just ONE probiotic pill! Now it does have to be refrigerated .. but I think it is going to be worth it. Even though I am not on antibiotics at this time .. I still take a daily probiotic for basic health .. this is the one I am now taking.
NOW Foods Probiotic-10,
(50 Billion, 50 Vcaps Healthy Intestinal Flora*, KEEP REFRIGERATED TO MAINTAIN POTENCY 10 Probiotic Strains, Dairy, Wheat & Gluten Free - Vegetarian/Vegan Formula) http://www.amazon.com/NOW-Foods-Probiotic-10-Billion-Vcaps/dp/B0031RJXCK/ref=sr_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1465156239&sr=8-2&keywords=probiotics+50+billion

Thank you I better check out the probiotic strains but I will try for one that is a refrigerated one

I took two probiotics in the morning and two in the evening at the advice of NJH doctor. I still take one in the morning even though I am off meds. The gut flora is slow to recuperate (if ever). I also ate some yogurt every day and started that even before I started meds. My doctor at NJH recommended Jarrow Formulas Jarro-Dophilus EPS, 5 Billion Cells Per Capsule. I ordered from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013OUKTS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

I took my meds around lunch time but I also had cut back my work hours to part time so took them after I got home. I have read where some people take them at night so they would sleep through side effects. I received more complicated instructions on what to take when from NJH but taking them all at lunch time worked best for me so I stuck with that.

It's all recommendations and no hard and fast rules so you have to do what fits with your lifestyle. I think allowing for flexibility helps with compliancy.

Thank you I will try those since they are recommended from a reputable source. Thanks so much everyone.

@jkiemen, Hi. I just edited my initial response to you because I left out some key elements about introducing your meds one week at a time. How are you doing so far?

I am picking them up today because they had to get enough in stock at the pharmacy.