MAC Treatment: When will I see side effects?

Do you have to go off all meds if you have tinnitus?

I had chills again last night. I believe it is the rifampin. Go to Dr Tuesday so maybe I will find out. They are bad as I have to take something to stop the chills.

I was on Clarithomycin instead of Azithromycin. The Azithromycin made me too sick - stomach wise. I do t know if the Clarithomycin causes tinnitus or not though. I had tinnitus before ever starting the meds.

Oh and also, the first month I was on the Clarithomycin, Ethambutal, and Rifampin, I was pretty sick from the side effects. My Infectious Disease doctor told me it takes about four weeks for your body to adjust to being on the medication and then the side effects are milder. In my case that was true but I know it’s different for everyone.

I had to go off the meds when I got tinnitus - the issue wasn’t so much the tinnitus as some hearing loss that went with it. I had been followed by an ENT doctor since starting the meds and had monthly hearing tests so went for another test when the tinnitus started. I never had tinnitus before this.

@derbeltal Hi there. Good luck at the drs today. please keep me posted on what your dr says about the chills.

@kathyhg and @sounder27 I had terrible night sweats for years due to the mac & menopause. Have not had them for a long time now, but remember the misery of it.

@wal6578 You may be one of the lucky ones won't have side effects. Some people skate by with no problems on the meds. I had a diff treatment plan than the 'Big 3' and I too had no side effects.

I just called my doctor and he put me on a lower dose of the Clarithomycin.

Since I have been on the big 3 I have no more clearing of throat, absolutely no coughing and feel great but I have started experiencing some tightness in chest and mild breathlessness that I have never experienced. Still no fatigue, great appetite and can do all regular activities and tolerate exercise. Been on big three for two months.