Hi Miriam, I moved this discussion to similar discussion that @ritapearl started a few months earlier where she asked "I am beginning the “big three” therapy what should I expect?" In addition to the responses you've already received from fellow members, you may appreciate going back through the earlier response too, starting here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/starting-mac-drugs/
What questions, if any, are still weighing on your mind?
Hi Colleen
Thank you for your thoughts. Right now I am getting all my baseline test done. I will start in February. My id doctor will start one med at a time to see how i tolerate them. Also we discussed taking them all at night. She wants to wait and see how i do with taking them during day. I also take Synthroid so we will need to take this one first.
My biggest concern is going to be stomach issues because i have them now. Reading the suggestion of others is very helpful. Its good to hear that some of you did well and others found solutions to managing the side effects. It gives me hope.
Definitely will keep updating as i begin this journey.
Again thanks. Miriam
Hi Colleen
Thank you for your thoughts. Right now I am getting all my baseline test done. I will start in February. My id doctor will start one med at a time to see how i tolerate them. Also we discussed taking them all at night. She wants to wait and see how i do with taking them during day. I also take Synthroid so we will need to take this one first.
My biggest concern is going to be stomach issues because i have them now. Reading the suggestion of others is very helpful. Its good to hear that some of you did well and others found solutions to managing the side effects. It gives me hope.
Definitely will keep updating as i begin this journey.
Again thanks. Miriam
I was on the Big 3 for 2 years. I also take Synthroid. I had to increase my dosage twice, so make sure they check it often. I am now off of the Big 3 and am checking my thyroid levels every 3 months because I'm going the other way again.
I was on the Big 3 for 2 years. I also take Synthroid. I had to increase my dosage twice, so make sure they check it often. I am now off of the Big 3 and am checking my thyroid levels every 3 months because I'm going the other way again.
I was on the Big 3 for 2 years. I also take Synthroid. I had to increase my dosage twice, so make sure they check it often. I am now off of the Big 3 and am checking my thyroid levels every 3 months because I'm going the other way again.
Interactions between the antibiotics and other meds are very individual. Long term antibiotic therapy should lead to close monitoring of your thyroid to determine whether your meds need to be adjusted. The same is true for others like blood pressure, heart and cholesterol meds.
Also, you need to be screened regularly for vision and hearing changes.
Do you have monitoring plan in place with your primary doctor while on the Big 3?
Interactions between the antibiotics and other meds are very individual. Long term antibiotic therapy should lead to close monitoring of your thyroid to determine whether your meds need to be adjusted. The same is true for others like blood pressure, heart and cholesterol meds.
Also, you need to be screened regularly for vision and hearing changes.
Do you have monitoring plan in place with your primary doctor while on the Big 3?
Interactions between the antibiotics and other meds are very individual. Long term antibiotic therapy should lead to close monitoring of your thyroid to determine whether your meds need to be adjusted. The same is true for others like blood pressure, heart and cholesterol meds.
Also, you need to be screened regularly for vision and hearing changes.
Do you have monitoring plan in place with your primary doctor while on the Big 3?
Interactions between the antibiotics and other meds are very individual. Long term antibiotic therapy should lead to close monitoring of your thyroid to determine whether your meds need to be adjusted. The same is true for others like blood pressure, heart and cholesterol meds.
Also, you need to be screened regularly for vision and hearing changes.
Do you have monitoring plan in place with your primary doctor while on the Big 3?
Sue thanks. Yes i had my ears , eyes and today going for ekg and to discuss treatment with my primary. My infectious disease will be the lead physician but my lung and primary are involved and will be following me. Will check eyes every 3 mo and hearing. I start in February. Hoping and praying for no or mild side effects! Miriam
Sue thanks. Yes i had my ears , eyes and today going for ekg and to discuss treatment with my primary. My infectious disease will be the lead physician but my lung and primary are involved and will be following me. Will check eyes every 3 mo and hearing. I start in February. Hoping and praying for no or mild side effects! Miriam
That is a really great management plan. I do have a suggestion - unless your eye and audiology specialists are on the same record system (like "My Chart") as the other docs, ask for paper copies of those records & save them. I had to switch audiologists mid-treatment, and it was hard to get a copy of the "baseline" tests. And recently, my husband changed & no longer has access to the original audiology info.
Sue
Thanks for the suggestion. I will make sure i have copies of all test. All is ready to go. I think my stomach is going to be the hardest part because i have stomach issues now. I want to be positive and not think about the side effects.
Thanks for all your input it really helps to get a better picture. Miriam
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Hi Colleen
Thank you for your thoughts. Right now I am getting all my baseline test done. I will start in February. My id doctor will start one med at a time to see how i tolerate them. Also we discussed taking them all at night. She wants to wait and see how i do with taking them during day. I also take Synthroid so we will need to take this one first.
My biggest concern is going to be stomach issues because i have them now. Reading the suggestion of others is very helpful. Its good to hear that some of you did well and others found solutions to managing the side effects. It gives me hope.
Definitely will keep updating as i begin this journey.
Again thanks. Miriam
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1 ReactionI was on the Big 3 for 2 years. I also take Synthroid. I had to increase my dosage twice, so make sure they check it often. I am now off of the Big 3 and am checking my thyroid levels every 3 months because I'm going the other way again.
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1 ReactionThanks for the info. Going to my primary doctor tomorrow to discuss exactly the effects of Synthroid with the meds. Thanks miriam
How is synthroid affected by the antibiotics?
Interactions between the antibiotics and other meds are very individual. Long term antibiotic therapy should lead to close monitoring of your thyroid to determine whether your meds need to be adjusted. The same is true for others like blood pressure, heart and cholesterol meds.
Also, you need to be screened regularly for vision and hearing changes.
Do you have monitoring plan in place with your primary doctor while on the Big 3?
Sue
Sue, thank you for your reply. I will certainly get a monitoring plan.
Is it important to have the thermostat on the hot water heater set at 130 degrees to control MAC bacteria?
Sue thanks. Yes i had my ears , eyes and today going for ekg and to discuss treatment with my primary. My infectious disease will be the lead physician but my lung and primary are involved and will be following me. Will check eyes every 3 mo and hearing. I start in February. Hoping and praying for no or mild side effects! Miriam
That is a really great management plan. I do have a suggestion - unless your eye and audiology specialists are on the same record system (like "My Chart") as the other docs, ask for paper copies of those records & save them. I had to switch audiologists mid-treatment, and it was hard to get a copy of the "baseline" tests. And recently, my husband changed & no longer has access to the original audiology info.
Sue
Thanks for the suggestion. I will make sure i have copies of all test. All is ready to go. I think my stomach is going to be the hardest part because i have stomach issues now. I want to be positive and not think about the side effects.
Thanks for all your input it really helps to get a better picture. Miriam