It is very scary to read it. I have been on the medications for 6 months. The side effects were a bit bad with rifabutin but I was able to take Rifampin in its place. So far not horrible. I think worrying about it is the worse part. I work full-time etc.

@hallann welcome on this site.  Do not let it scare you because many people on this site have more disease than bronchiectasis and Mac.  MAC is an organism that gets into your lungs and can multiply.  I had it but never had many symptoms other than mucous in my throat and getting some white sputum white.  When The sputum would get yellowed I was using clear lung.  A natural herbs to clear the mucous.  My infection Doctor never wanted me to take the antibiotics because of the secondary affects.

 I am glad I didn’t take it.  My pulmonary doctor was doing a broncoscopy every two years to clean it and last one the lab report confirm no more MAC.  Bronchoscopy is the most reliable source to know if you have a MAC or not.  Hallann my doctor for MAC said

many more people live without symptom with a MAC in there lungs so if you do not have much symptoms the best thing is to be careful not to eat bad food to activate it I think! Stay positive and do prevention. Things will be find!  Nick 52

Only been taking the meds a week started having problems tonight heart fluttering and itching all over haven't even had my first infection dr visit yet

@hallann your body is talking to you!  Do you have a lot of bad symptoms? Nick 52

Just a coughing

@hallann good if it is the only symptoms!  You may want to try Clear Lung (blue bottle) to clear the lungs of mucus.  It was the same with me I was coughing but the clear was clearing the lungs.  I know it worked for me when I was coughing but noone is

alike! 

Nick 52

Thank you

There's so many of them is there a brand that's better

@ hallann yes Ridgecrest clear lung blue bottle. It as lung decongestion in it! Nick

@hallann Hello Ann. Welcome to Connect. The mac diagnosis scares the bajeezus out of everyone who gets it. There is lots of information about it on our forum. Read older posts, especially those of @kateman andmyself @windwalker. Also, you will find topics at the very beginning of signing onto this support group. You will have to scroll back because we have been at this awhile. In the meantime, feel free to ask specific questions. Usually, several people will jump in and respond. The main thing with this disease is getting competent care. Sometimes that is easier said than done. Do you feel like your physician has current knowledge on how to treat this?