Long-term Antibiotics for Bronchiectasis & MAC

@onana Hi. I totally understand that you want to be with your husband while he is hospitalized. Just please get the N95 mask. You won't be any good to him in the future if you are battling for your own life.

Hello @testlady, You'll find an amazing group of supportive and well informed people here. I recommend reading through some of the past discussions and joining in with your questions. Here are a few to start with:

> (MAC/MAI) MYCOBACTERIUM AVIUM COMPLEX PULMONARY DISEASE/BRONCHIECTASIS https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mycobacterium-avium-complex-pulmonary-disease-macmai/ (main thread over 6000 messages, incredible information)
> Long-term Antibiotics for Bronchiectasis & MAC https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/bronchiectasis-mac-antibiotics/
> MAC antibiotics and side effects https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mac-antibiotics-and-side-effects/

@testlady, which antibiotics were prescribed? Were you able to share your concerns with your doctor?

In addition to my lung cancer, I have now been diagnosed with MAC. Three different antibiotics, three times a for for at least a year. I am freaked out about over use of antibiotics...becoming resistant to antibiotics. Are my concerns justified?

Hi @testlady, as suggested by John, I moved your message to this existing discussion about MAC and antibiotics in the group dedicated to MAC & Bronchiectasis here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/mac-bronchiectasis/

Many members shared your anxiety about taking antibiotics. I encourage you to click VIEW & REPLY to read about the experiences of others, like @windwalker @flib @auntnanny @ginak @alleycatkate @macjane and others.

Unfortunately, people, such as you and me, are susceptible to most infections that those with a normal immune response are not.
These micro bacterium such as MAC must be managed, if not curable (as mine has not to this point). I am more fortunate that mine has not traveled to my lungs I have COP, which is incurable in my lungs.
I believe strongly that you must follow your trusted doctor who is managing your conditions and inflammations - take the medications, and I expect that the results will be closely monitored.
Good luck.

@testlady, Hello there. I am so sorry to hear about your compounded issues with your lungs. I too was freaked out about taking the Big 3 as we call the 3 antibiotics. I was diagnosed in 2005 with mac and refused the Big 3 out of fear of developing liver problems. I took a short stint of treatment with azithromycin and that knocked it down to a level of not being quite so sick. I was back to my normal which was living with lots of mucous and coughing. I thought it was just my asthma that I had had for most of my adult life. My lung tissue steadily got more and more damaged over the years and my lung function is very low. I finally got good care in 2013 from My Mayo Clinic care team. I never did go on the Big 3, but was put on other meds with no side effects. I do not know if I had gone on the Big 3 back in 2005 if it would have made a difference in my lung deterioration or not. Are you confident in your present physician?

I have no feelings either way about my pulmonary doctor. My PCP is attempting to contact him and I trust her implicitly. She has questions about the use of the Big 3. Thank you for a sharing your journey. If I may ask, what other meds did you use to treat your MAC?

Testlady, click on my photo icon to the left. My treatment plan is listed there. My plan may not work for others because it depends on the suseptibility test results to see if those meds would work. Sometimes the mac is resistant to some.

can you tell me which 3 antibiotics you alternate with? Augmentin is one, but I do not know the others. Thank you, I would love to be able to take this to my Dr's appointment tomorrow.

I don’t have MAC; instead I have an Achromobacter infection with my Bronchiectasis and am on a rotation of these 3 antibiotics: Augmentin, Doxycycline, and Bactrim.