Hi Margaret. Yes the antibiotics are terrible on the gut. I have been off them for a year and gut much better, but still cannot put weight on. Kind of leaves you with IBS. though I rarely get cramping anymore. I quit drugs because too rough on my system. MAC getting worse off of them, so I am hanging on hoping someone will come up with a less damaging solution. Hopong for some sort of inhalant that doesnt affect organs so much. xo

@maggie56 So sorry to hear that you are experiencing problems with antibiotics that you are taking. I have never been on antibiotics. So I can't give you any valid advice or pointers. But I do hope that others on the site who have been on the drugs can provide you with helpful insights. People here have different diagnoses, different health problems and different experiences with antibiotics. But one thing we have in common is that we all have to face the disease and the fear head on and try our best to live as happy a life as we possibly can. Sharing our experiences and our feelings on this site definitely help all of us achieve that goal. Hope you'll find the answer you are looking for.

Hi Margaret, 

Maybe you should try Probiotics !  This help fight the bacteria specially for the guts. There is a good one also that you can find on the Web Dr Ohhira’s probiotics. Those antibiotics isn’t proven to cure the Mac. Maybe you should read on the secondary

effect and decide if is worth taking.  I got rid of the MAC and have never taken the antibiotic but I took good expensive probiotics.  If you try to cure something and create other problems is it worth it?

With a good diet you will feel good (no sugar, no fat food, no starch...no alchool....

I sure hope you find something to help you with your gut.  I had IBS and cure it with probiotics. Nic

Hi, I have been dealing with Mac since June of 2016. I have taken the antibiotics, now I am also on an iv drip. I work everyday, don't feel bad at all. This has been a long, long journey....