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@windwalker

@mary1944 More to keep in mind .. Basically everyone experiments with what med schedule works best for them:
1. PROBIOTIC: take probiotic half hour before breakfast on an empty stomach (when on meds I also took a 2nd probiotic in the evening on an empty stomach)
2. RIFAMPIN: Take this medicine on an empty stomach .. OR either 1 hour before or 2 hours after food NOTE: take 4 hours after vitamins: as minerals and most other supplements weaken effect of meds! (Absorption of rifampin is reduced by about 30% when the drug is ingested with food. Be aware it can cause: Reddish discoloration of Stool or Urine etc.) FOR ME Rifampin caused sleep disturbance so I tried to take it FIRST THING in the morning!
3. ETHAMBUTOL AND AZITHROMYCIN: BEST with an empty stomach! .. BUT either 1 hour before, or two hours after meals! (taking BOTH at one time gives “greater punch!” (NOTE: take 4 hours after vitamins: as minerals and most other supplements weaken effect of meds!) * take with a LIGHT snack at most.

ANTIBIOTICS .. SCHEDULING ..DIFFERENT MEMBERS
TIP: REQUEST 90 DAY PRESCRIPTIONS FOR ALL YOUR ANTIBIOTICS .. THEN YOU HAVE JUST ONE CO PAY.

BEST
Here from one of our members is what I think is REALLY good advice on starting the antibiotics .. hope it helps you! Keep in mind .. YOU may NOT feel “lousy” the first month .. each of our bodies are DIFFERENT .. each of our bodies will react differently .. but the advice I just excellent!

SCHEDULING ANTIBIOTICS From Member @pamelasc1, I began the 3 pill regimen. I did feel very lousy the first month but was told to hang in there, that it gets better each week- and it did! I will tell you how I take my pills, as timing can help, as can taking other supplements. I take them between 9 and 10 PM, just before going to bed. I take with a lot of water. I try to put a minimum of 2 hours between eating dinner and taking the pills. Every day I take a probiotic to help the gut – the antibiotics wreak havoc with the gut. This can help with nausea – I take my probiotic with breakfast or lunch – do not take it late in the day. I use Ultra Jarro-Dophilus – 50 billion per capsule – will find in the frig at any health food store – I open up the capsule and drop in a bit of applesauce, stir it up and eat. I also take Vit D3, 2000 IU and B6, 50 mg. After my stomach settled down in about a month, the side effects I have been left with are fatigue and weight loss, sometimes night sweats, and insomnia. Remember to take the pills at the same time of the day, so if you go on a schedule like mine, just stick to it by taking the pills two hours or so after eating a meal. This way I found I slept through the nausea for the most part. And as has been suggested, read through all the earlier posts.

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Replies to "@mary1944 More to keep in mind .. Basically everyone experiments with what med schedule works best..."

@pamelasc.....I also started the big 3 a few months ago....I also take my meds at nite between 9-10 pm. Take a probiotic in am and another probiotic at 11:00 or so. I'm doing exactly what u r doing, as I saw someone else who was seeing Dr A...the guru from Mayo..this was his suggestion also...both my probiotics are 50 billion each, and 2 different kinds, so all strains are covered. Ultra Flora critical Care, 50 billion, and Dr Formulated, 50 billion also....

Thanks to all of you for the advice. I’m new and must say didn’t tolerate taking the Big 3 all at once the first 2 weeks. The Drs have moved me to just take the Rifampin for now and hopefully I can add the other 2 later. Thanks SO much for these post!

@jaejack, FYI about starting on the Big 3; many pulmonologists will start you on each drug separately a week apart. That way, they can pinpoint which drug is giving a patient an adverse reaction (if any). From what I have heard, rifampon is the toughest of the three to tolerate. Many on this site suggest taking it on an empty stomach in the morning. Also heard that the side-effects subside after a few weeks for some people. I hope you a med schedule that works for you.