Low white blood count while on big 3 for MAC

@derbeltal I am very weak and unable to do much as well. irene5

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@derbeltal In my experience, yes! Keep in mind your body has at least three things assaulting it - a well-established infection, an underlying lung condition, and large doses of potent antibiotics that are messing with your system.
After I finished 18 months of the Big-3, it has taken me 4 months to get back to 80% of my former level of energy.
There are some things you can do to help -
Have the doc check your vitamin/mineral levels in your next labs, you may need supplements to counter the effects of the meds.
To help with strength and energy, make sure you are eating really healthy, nutrient dense food. A nutritionist told me that when you are on the antibiotics and fighting infection, your protein requirements increase. I had no appetite, so forced myself to eat a small snack every or two - a piece of cheese or lean meat, a hard-boiled egg, nuts, a protein bar (I could only manage 1/3 at a time) protein-supplemented fruit & vegetable smoothies, yogurt. Even now I have not recovered weight or appetite and stay on much the same routine. Here is some good information from the National Jewish Health MAC conference:

And a bit of advice, from my Mom who lived and worked with severe Rheumatoid Arthritis for years - "Work a little, rest a little." For 3 summers (before diagnosis & during treatment) I would work in my yard for 15-30 minutes, then rest for up to an hour. Some days I probably only managed an hour or two of actual work. I hired out the digging, mulching, hauling to a teen (I trained him as he worked) and did just the easy stuff.
By the way, if you have bronchiectasis you are at high risk of reinfection - mask and gloves imperative when working in yard and garden
You are not alone - hope this helps!
Sue

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