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← Return to Extreme fatigue with MAC
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Thanks to all for addressing the fatigue AND confusion about whether to go on the Big 3 antibiotics. I was diagnosed with MAC in June, 2017. I went to Mayo in Rochester & was told to go on all three antibiotics. When I started the third one, I saw flashing lights/visual disturbances after my second dose. An ophthalmologist told me to stop the Ethambutol (I believe it was that one) immediately, that he'd had patients go blind "pretty quickly" from taking it. I just got my second follow up CT scan, which shows things about the same as last year. A pulmonologist at the University Of Kentucky gave me a strong talk last week about MAC being a "serious" disease (oh thanks, I didn't know that..) & that the sooner I went through 18 months of Big 3 treatment, the better chance I had at beating it before MAC progresses any farther. I decided, at this point, that the side effects of the drugs are not worth it. I am 60 years old & would prefer a shorter lifespan than years of blindness, if forced to choose. That being said, I too have variable fatigue. I push myself to exercise regularly but allow myself to nap as needed.
Replies to "Thanks to all for addressing the fatigue AND confusion about whether to go on the Big..."
@rmason Just wanted to add that Mayo physicians are highly respected around the world because they are among the best. Most other physicians do want to hear about what Mayo's cutting edge physicians are saying. That has been my experience anyway.
@windwalker ...agree re Mayo Doctors and how they are respected around the world. Unless it has changed, the doctors are salaried....not paid by the numbers of clients they see. They also have a medical school in Rochester Mn. This increases the quality of the care. The doctors are always “observed” by future Doctors hence 100% accountability.
Something came up last night at our amateur investment club monthly meeting. A Wisconsin ( where we live) based company Exact Sciences (Symbol EXAS) is a stock we bought and follow. It created Cologuard , a way to check feces for cancer without have to have a colonoscopy. Medicare covers it and it was recommended by GI doctors for select candidates.
All of a sudden the stock price zipped up 25% from the price we paid. We wondered why. I checked news for the company. It was stated that they created a new blood test with Mayo to check for a form of liver cancer. My conclusion: even to the financial world, Mayo Clinic is greatly respected. So if Mayo Clinic is involved, the product must be promising. Tdrell
@tdrell, Terri, those are VERY interesting tidbits of info. Thank you for backing me on the reputation of Mayo. I am headed to the Mayo in Rochester tomorrow for 4 days. Will get a tour of Mayo, and lots of learning. Will meet other mentors, and Colleen!
Thank you for the valuable information, and I'm so glad there is continued improvement for you.....I don't nebulize saline, but I'm going to start it, because what your Dr. Is saying makes sense...
Good point-I will ask him. I understand The National Jewish Hospital in Denver specializes in MAC. Would be curious to hear from members who have been treated there with MAC and bronchiectasis?
@windwalker I had gotten away from the nebulized saline treatments (in conjunction with a vibrating vest) but am getting back to that routine!
@windwalker...terri... that is exciting the trip to Mayo at Rochester MN. If time permits, check out in the “basement” of main Clinic, the glass sculpture of Dale Chiluhily..sp...hanging on ceiling.
Also in Reference Library ,if open see if there are articles etc on our enemies the NTM!!! Enjoy ! You have earned this trip many times over......don’t get overtired.
Terri aka tdrell
@cld120 So glad to hear that! There was a study in France before the inhaled saline was passed for use here. Their studies showed that saline alone got rid of mac. I will have to look for a link about that. I read about it 10 years ago.
@tdtell Thanks Terri. I love Chihuly! I am very excited about the trip, if I ever get there!! I was supposed to be there by 3 today. Flight got delayed 2 hrs due to severe thunderstorms in Chicago. Then no available flights to Rochester. (They were all booked) So, will try it again tomorrow....
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@jkiemen Have you contacted the NO group recently to see where it is at as far as a release date?