1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

Reinfection while on antibiotics

Posted by lmh7 @lmh7, Feb 14, 2018

I was diagnosed with MAC one year ago after several months of being nauseous, extremely tired and having night sweats. I had lung surgery to remove the biggest chunk of infection, and have been on Azithromycin, Rifampin and Ethambutol antibiotics for one year and will continue them for 6 more months. I have had no problems at all with the antibiotics and all of my symptoms disappeared shortly after surgery. However, I started feeling nauseous again about 2 weeks ago. I'm wondering if it's possible for the infection to restart or continue growing while on the antibiotics? I am hoping I just have a "bug" that I will get over soon. Thank you in advance for your response.

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Jo Ann K | @jkiemen | Feb 19, 2018

I would call and get in for a recheck and have blood work etc, to make sure what is going on. They tell us that is always possible to be reinfected, but if you are still on the antibiotics, that should decrease the likelihood but it is always best to check it out..

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pejohnston | @pejohnston | Mar 1, 2018

Sorry to say, Jo Ann, but I've had reinfection(s) while on antibiotics. This was due to the fact that some of the prescribed drugs no longer were effective. I'm not saying this is the case with you, but just that it is possible.

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1 reply
Jo Ann K | @jkiemen | Mar 1, 2018

I hope not. But I have been exposed to some respiratory virus, influenza a and b all within the last month due to grandchildren. I did end up with a mild cold with nasal congestion so far. I started wearing masks around my granddaughter.

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Mentor
Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor | @windwalker | Jun 22, 2018
In reply to @pejohnston "Sorry to say, Jo Ann, but I've had reinfection(s) while on antibiotics. This was due to..." + (show)
@pejohnston

Sorry to say, Jo Ann, but I've had reinfection(s) while on antibiotics. This was due to the fact that some of the prescribed drugs no longer were effective. I'm not saying this is the case with you, but just that it is possible.

Jump to this post

@pejohnston Hello. I was just reading over some posts and came across this one.I hope that you are doing well. May I ask if you are currently on any type of treatment for mac? Thank you, Terri

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lmh7 | @lmh7 | Jun 23, 2018

Well here it is 4 months later after I first posted asking if it's possible to get reinfected while being on the Big 3. Yes it is. I was on my 14th month of taking the antibiotics. I just returned from the Mayo Clinic where I had another CT and a bronchoscopy (I do not cough so have no sputum to test). The preliminary test came back positive for Mycobacterium. Now I need to wait 4-8 weeks to see which strain it is to decide which meds to try next. I felt great on the antibiotics with no symptoms at all so was pretty confident I was being healed. Now I am back to having the usual MAC symptoms of nausea, stiff muscles, hot, headache and a new one this time; tingly/burning hands and feet. Have any of you had luck with treating any of these symptoms with either OTC or prescribed medications? I've tried Aleve, Tylenol, Zantac and Zofran with no relief at all. I would be grateful for all recommendations you might have!

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2 replies
Mentor
Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor | @windwalker | Jun 24, 2018
In reply to @lmh7 "Well here it is 4 months later after I first posted asking if it's possible to..." + (show)
@lmh7

Well here it is 4 months later after I first posted asking if it's possible to get reinfected while being on the Big 3. Yes it is. I was on my 14th month of taking the antibiotics. I just returned from the Mayo Clinic where I had another CT and a bronchoscopy (I do not cough so have no sputum to test). The preliminary test came back positive for Mycobacterium. Now I need to wait 4-8 weeks to see which strain it is to decide which meds to try next. I felt great on the antibiotics with no symptoms at all so was pretty confident I was being healed. Now I am back to having the usual MAC symptoms of nausea, stiff muscles, hot, headache and a new one this time; tingly/burning hands and feet. Have any of you had luck with treating any of these symptoms with either OTC or prescribed medications? I've tried Aleve, Tylenol, Zantac and Zofran with no relief at all. I would be grateful for all recommendations you might have!

Jump to this post

@lmh7 I take two Ibuprofen for little aches and pains. It is good for reducing inflammation as well. If I get to really feeling beat down and crappy; I ask for a short round of prednisone. Do you know how many mac colonies you are dealing with? Do you know exactly HOW infected you are? Is it bad, or mild? These are questions to ask each and every time you see your doctor or have gotten your test results.

REPLY
suzylulu | @suzylulu | Jun 25, 2018
In reply to @lmh7 "Well here it is 4 months later after I first posted asking if it's possible to..." + (show)
@lmh7

Well here it is 4 months later after I first posted asking if it's possible to get reinfected while being on the Big 3. Yes it is. I was on my 14th month of taking the antibiotics. I just returned from the Mayo Clinic where I had another CT and a bronchoscopy (I do not cough so have no sputum to test). The preliminary test came back positive for Mycobacterium. Now I need to wait 4-8 weeks to see which strain it is to decide which meds to try next. I felt great on the antibiotics with no symptoms at all so was pretty confident I was being healed. Now I am back to having the usual MAC symptoms of nausea, stiff muscles, hot, headache and a new one this time; tingly/burning hands and feet. Have any of you had luck with treating any of these symptoms with either OTC or prescribed medications? I've tried Aleve, Tylenol, Zantac and Zofran with no relief at all. I would be grateful for all recommendations you might have!

Jump to this post

I also take 2-4 ibuprofen almost everyday for the muscle aches and pain. It helps. I also have scleroderma and fibromyalgia as well as Mac. The doctor said I had Mac because of my autoimmune disease.

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