I'm not sure. I was treated with the big 3 for two years. Then last year in october, I was on an iv drip until about two weeks ago
The I'd doc took me off because even though I was on med for 2 years, I still have a small cavity of mac. I feel real good, didn't know I had this stupid disease, went thru treatment okay. I lost weight and my stomach hurt on the beginning, but as I got use to meds, the stomachache went away. The doc took blood every week to make sure meds weren't messing with liver or anything else. So are you seeing an I'd doc???

@ Sophie i wonder if you are taking all this med for the MAC problem.  My doctors says a lot of people live with this small organism and are not sick. If you are not sick because of it why would the dr give you all that med.  unless I misunderstood what you

said.  I had the MAC and never took medication because it wasn’t affecting me that much. Now I do not have it!  I am very careful with all medication because they can make you sicker. Nick

@suzie2017 be careful with medication it can make you sicker.  I had the MAC (it is a small microscopic organism that can colonize or multiply.  My infectiologue told me that some people can live with it all there lives without being affected some have breathing

problem if it multiply.  He didn’t give me any medication because I didn’t have much symptoms.  They give med when it is as a last ressource. Be careful. Mayo Clinic seem to treat everyone with the big 3 not my infectiologist. I had the MAC now I don’t. As

he said it can go away.  I have used alternative medicine when I had synptoms. Nick

I am taking the Meds because they tell me and show me changes. I really hope they work. I feel bad at times when I hear about the relapses. I want to get rid of it and am really trying to follow the directions from Pulmonary. It is nice to hear about success stories too.

What kind of alternative medicine did you use when you had symptoms. Are there alt meds that are effective??

Hi Nick. Thanks for the positive post. I do not take the big three or other prescription drugs. Alt meds only. Could you please post your successful alt meds. Thanks so very much. Charlie

You have a good attitude. I sure hope they work for you.

Nick, I am glad that your Mac went away. My husband has symptoms such as fatigue and weight loss but he has had those symptoms for about 2 years and Mac was just discovered last month.

@jengelage it depends what my symotoms were Jen if I had shortness of breath I was using Clearlungs to clear my lungs.  I also had 2 bronchoscopy in 4 years that I had the MAC .  My pulmonory dr did the first one one few years ago when the lab result came with

the MAC and did another one (bronchoscopy) in october 2018 and the result was MAC free!  If I have a lot of sputum I was taking Milk Thistle in liquid from Hubnër. I also started a professionnal probiotics from Dr Ohirrah (i feel this was the results for my

MAC or the bronchoscopy can clear the MAC.) All I can tell you is find out exactly what is not working good. I read that Acid stomach can reflux to your lungs ( I do not remember how it is called) he said yes that can affect the lungs so that is why I started

my liver detox with Milk .thistle after every meal.  Alternative medicine is not the same for everyone.  It depends of your symptoms. I would suggest to read a lotbecause you are the only one who knows your symptoms so read  about all our interconnected organs,

liver, heart, lungs and you know your symptoms and try those if it helps.  I love Dr Balch book Nutritional Healing.  As of today I wouldn’t think I have lung problem cause I feel great! No sputum, no shortness of breath! Thank God!  Be positive and believe

in you and the Divin that you will find your solution!   I’ll keep you in my prayers

Hi all,
You may be interested in these discussions on Connect:
- Alternative (herb) medications https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/alternative-herb-medications/
- Alternative Treatments for MAC: immunotherapy, etc. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/alternative-treatments-for-mac/

Complementary therapies are usually therapies used in addition to conventional care. Alternative therapies are defined as those use to replace conventional care. Sometimes people use these terms interchangeably. https://nccih.nih.gov/health/integrative-health#cvsa It is always a good idea to talk to your doctor about complementary or alternative therapies you’re considering, and to do your research about their effectiveness.

Many members have talked about complementary therapies that help manage symptoms, such as the nebulizer.