@lauriefrancis I don't know if you ever got your answer about how to take Milk Thistle. It generally comes in pill form.

@sophie1019 Hi Sophie. I just finished a round of prednisone yesterday. Ironically not for my lungs as usual, but for a pinched nerve in my back. It is indeed great stuff! I don't know if I have a cavity or what in my right lung. All I know is, my entire right middle lobe is completely shot. They told me there isn't even any blood supply going to that area.

I was on rifampin, Zithromax and ethambutol for 3 weeks then sensitivities came back from lab and I was advised to stop rifampin and start rifabutin. After taking rifabutin on a Monday and that nightI woke up achy and with chills and low grade fever. Felt tired and lethargic the next day-vomited once. My MD thought it may have been a virus so advised to stop all antibiotics for two weeks and resume. After taking on Mon and Wednesday, again woke up with some achiness and low grade fever. Did not feel as bad as previously-but not good! I am now just taking Zithromax until I see my dr the 25th.
Any thoughts on ways folks have had success taking rifabutin?

@rmason, Hi Roxanne. @jkiemen (Jo Ann) might have some input for you. I think she may have struggled with that one too. Meanwhile, I will search through some old notesto find more info for you. I remember that Katherine @katemn found that taking some of those drugs in the 'Big 3' cocktail went better by adjusting the timing and maybe taking it on an empty stomach. I think it was one of the 'r' drugs that she took first thing in the morning. Everybody's body reacts different to meds. What works for one may not work for another. All we can do is try different ways. Sit tight, more responses will come in.

@rmason @windwalker - Here is what I found from Kate's post on her routine. You have to filter out all the other drugs she was taking for other health problems she had:
**the probiotics should not be taken for at least two hours after you take the antibiotics
SCHEDULE FOR MEDS AND VITAMINS November 2011
1. Wake up: take probiotic, Aciphex & Synthroid on empty stomach
(Aciphex-at least 1/2 hour before eating-1 hour after. Separate Probiotic from antibiotic by at least 2 hours!)
2. Wait 30 minutes: Eat breakfast .. .. take regular a.m. meds & vitamins
3. 1 puff Qvar .. rinse mouth well .. brush teeth.(SET 5 CELL PHONE ALARMS!!).
4. ONE hour later take Homeopathic remedy after nothing in mouth for one hour
5. AT LEAST THREE hours later .. take Rifampin on empty stomach.
(Rifampin 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal with a full glass of water- 4 hour after vitamins)
*( IF POSSIBLE TAKE 2nd PROBIOTIC 2 hours after Rifampin)
6. AT LEAST ONE hour later.. take antiobiotics except Rifampin with a snack.
*OR 2 hours after Ripampin IF TOOK 2nd PROBIOTIC* (Avelox-4 hours after or 8 hour before multi vitamin with a full glass of water)
7. Six hours to Seven hours later take regular p.m. meds (Crestor &Evista) & multi vitamin & Nioxin (zinc)
after evening meal or snack. At least 2hrs (before or after) calcium, magnesium,iron or zinc.
8. Eight hours later take 2nd probiotics on empty stomach. **probiotics must be taken at least two hours after you take antibiotics
9. Nebulize Amikacin. Take nebulizer apart, clean in hot soapy water & sterilize nebulizer!
AVERAGE AMIKACIN SCHEDULE BETWEEN DAY TO DAY-try to stay same every day within 4 hours .. at least within a 12 hour period!
10. Before going to bed: take Homeopathic remedy after nothing in mouth for an hour. (as needed)
11. 1 puff Qvar .. rinse mouth well .. brush teeth.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

NOTES ON TAKING ANTIBIOTICS
Wake up am probiotic on empty stomach
Ripampin 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal with a full glass of water- 4 hour before vitamins
Ethambutol and Avelox (sleep disturbance) with Azithromycin: after breakfast with a full glass of water
8 hour before or 4 hours after multi vitamin
Bedtime: take regular p.m. meds & multi vitamin, Evista, Lipitor and pm probiotic.
Separate multi vitamin & probiotics from antibiotics by at least 4 hours if possible)

I hope this helps you. Linda

Suzie2017...I think MAC gets disseminated thru out the whole body if a person is extremely immune compromised .....as were AIDs patients in the 80's before meds to treat the HIV virus were discovered.
I am wondering if your hubby has an inguinal hernia or a hip issue...as in osteoarthritis.
Tdrell

It is very possible that he has a hernia. He was x-rayed several months ago and only arthritis showed up. The doctors are mystified about the pain and that it goes around to his back. The pain comes and goes and it only comes at night. He has not had the pain for about 4 nights now. It is very strange.

@suzie2017 no wonder if they're going by only an xray...he needs a CAT scan or MRI

@lindam272 Thank you for posting this Linda!

I had a reaction to Rifabutin early on as well. Terrible aches. I had to take Rifampin, Azithromycin and Ethambutol