← Return to (MAC/MAI) Mycobacterium Avium Complex Pulmonary Disease: Join us

Discussion
Comment receiving replies
@katemn

Hello Kay, I went back on my notes on Rifampin .. this is what I found:
Ripampin Take this medicine on an empty stomach, either 1 hour before or 2 hours after food with a full glass of water. Absorption of rifampin is reduced by about 30% when the drug is ingested with food. Also 4 hour before vitamins Since I had the side effect of odd feelings in legs at night .. I tried to take it as early in the a.m. as possible. (RIFAMPIN CAN INTERFER WITH LIVER ABSORBSON OF SYNTHROID)

These things may be unique to me since I take Synthroid for thyroid issues .. take quite a few vitamins since I think our food is not as great as it was 50 years ago .. soil and farming methods etc..

Another note I found that I thought was interesting was:
Also a note I made re: using ginger supplements for nausea: Ginger - scientists at the Rochester University Medical Center found that taking ginger supplements with standard anti-vomiting drugs beforehand can reduce the nausea that often accompanies chemotherapy treatment by 40%.

Truthfully I still have an issue with sleep. I am NOT recommending it .. but I bite in half a blue tablet of Unisom (I get the generic one) and that amount seems to just enough to get me to sleep. I have a daughter who can close her eyes and she is conked out .. but that is NOT me!

Hope any of the above helps you! Sending you a hug and lots of positive energy! Katherine

Jump to this post


Replies to "Hello Kay, I went back on my notes on Rifampin .. this is what I found:..."

Good morning sorry u are having problems sleeping. I have always had problems sleeping even before taking any of this stuff. I do feel better since starting mrds though and i pray a lot. That helps better than anything.

Katherine
Very helpful. I'm also taking R in AM now to help with my sleep ( since taking it at night kept me up) . The doc said to skip it last night and take this AM. I slept 100% better.

I really appreciate all your notes. You are very organized. I'm printing them for my file and will try different stuff till I feel better. Looks like nausea will be my main problem and many people have said it lessens as your body gets used to all the meds. Hoping so. Getting some ginger tea today!

Hope your day is great, thanks again
Kay S

<br>I didn't realize until reading posts yesterday, and checking on the internet, that the Rifampin shouldn't be taken with food.  I've always taken it after eating breakfast as my instructions on the rx label didn't say anything and dr and pharm both said to avoid nausa take with food.  My dr has also told me I have to take all 3 the same day or take none at all that day...like if I have a procedure done that would prevent me from taking morning meds.  Just thought I'd share my experiences.<br><br>

Hello Kay S, so glad you are finding it helpful! I also found ginger capsules found online or many stores helpful. I also used ginger capsules before taking grandkids to the local amusement park with all it's crazy rides!

In terms of notes .. I have Word program on my computer and have saved all my notes there under "Health-Lungs-Antibiotic Notes" .. it has really helped as I have wanted to go back for reference .. or to cut and paste to help others! Sending you a Big Hug Kay! Katherine

Hi Catherine, I got my lab work last week my vitamin A vitamin B1 are little bit low. The vitamin D is very low and my primary Dr. put me on vitamin D3 10000 IU.  My stomach is cramping all the time. Did you or anyone had this problem?  Still having problem sleeping.  I'm trying to organized my meds when to take them also the probiotic.  It says take it in between meals or empty stomach. I will try to do them early b/c I have to take my acid reflux med on empty stomach.  Thanks for all your help and I'm so grateful on this forum.

Hello Cila, so sorry this is happening to you .. what a rip! Yes, I do take extra vitamins. I love the phrase "Americans have the most expensive urine in the world!" My attitude is that if my body does not need the additional supplements .. then my body will excrete them in my urine .. BUT I am careful NOT to take more than the recommended for fat soluble like Vitamin A and E etc.

I do take extra Vitamin D3 and A Super B100. For the Vitamin A I would check with your Doctor since it is stored in the fat. I am a great one for googling .. I just did on the cramping .. it came up as: Vitamin D overdose or deficiency might cause stomach cramps.

Why don't you IMMEDIATELY ask your doctor to lower the dose?! I take 3,000 VD3 without any issues whatsoever .. it may take you a bit longer to get your VD3 to where you need to .. BUT with side effects! Call your Doctor! Frankly sometimes I think they don't THINK!! We need to be our best advocates .. but don't tell him/her I told you that! .. And don't forget with acid reflux to raise the head of your bed 4-5" .. I've given a resource elsewhere on the Forum .. and not to eat prior to bedtime. Sending you a Hug! Katherine

Kay S, sorry to not answer sooner .. your message went to my Spam area.

Absolutely, Rifampin did affect my sleep so I took it in the am. Have you tried my ginger capsules idea for nausea? You can get them online or many stores. In terms of stress .. have you tried meditation. Even if you have never done it .. just google it .. YouTube it .. cell phone apps .. you can pick up some great ideas on how to breathe and how to meditate .. do give it a try.

Kay, I so feel for you .. the beginning part is so tough .. it does get easier but so hard in the beginning. I just wish I was there and could give you a hug .. but I am sending you lots of positive energy to help get you through this tough time! Katherine

Katherine
I did get both ginger capsules and ginger chews. Also boiled ginger to make tea! I was so nauseated yesterday, not sure if anything helped or not. I've done Mediation for many years. All my things like that and walking and reading were not working well yesterday. This morning I followed this flower app I have that opens and closes. Long breath in and out. Yes it helps, but good reminder. There are times of intense pain or emotion where I need it most, that is the difficult time to do it.
But today I am a bit better. Amen. It's been 1 week, but I did a gradual build and the final few days were rough. Patience - I need to remember there is a lot of adjusting my body is doing to some pretty strong drugs!

Katherine, hearing you say the beginning part is tough really helps. I know you did this! Thanks so very much.
Kay S

Kay S, I am so proud of you .. such GOOD self care! You are just doing EVERYTHING you can think of to take good care of yourself! That flower app sound SO interesting .. I think I am going to look into that for when my husband is driving me crazy! Just keep putting one foot in front of the other .. WOW I'll be darned .. you actually do get to the end of the journey! Just keep on .. keeping on! Sending you a hug! Katherine

Kay S, just looked for that flower app .. couldn't find one .. would you mind letting me know the name of it? I have android but usually can get the same app in android or Apple. Thanks! Katherine