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I was diagnosed with MAC in May 2015.
MAC & Bronchiectasis | Last Active: Jan 17, 2017 | Replies (85)Comment receiving replies
I too was diagnosed with MAC in May of 2015 and have been on the 3 antibiotics since then. I take all three meds on M-W-F, but appreciate the post about splitting it up and taking the Rifampin on different days. I was very nauseated along with diarrhea for the first few months taking the antibiotics, but that has subsided somewhat since taking them all before bedtime. However, I have had a persistent cough for months now which won't go away. I even had an upper GI which showed no reason for the cough. My doctor put me on Prilosec for an unspecified length of time which he said helped him with his cough. I feel like I have phlegm constantly in my throat which causes me to have to clear my throat and then I have coughing spasms. which It is worse at times than others. After 6 months of antibiotics I had another CT scan which showed that the bacteria was the same - no better and no worse. I started taking CBD oil several months ago which helps me sleep better and now am vaping the CBD oil which I am hoping will help the antibiotics work FASTER!!!!
Replies to "I too was diagnosed with MAC in May of 2015 and have been on the 3..."
I do not recommend 'splitting it up and taking the Rifampin on different days'. I tend to disagree. You must take them M-W-F with Doc's instruction. We need to kill the bacteria. My last check up MAC hasn't grown which I am thankful. I hate red/orange urine but my schedule is Rifampin in the early AM before coffee. Therefore if you wake up a little early (set the alarm), take these 2-pills with water, then you can rest/eat after 1-hr. As you know the other pills take with food. I take mine all immediately after dinner which seems to work better. The diarrhea only occurs occasionally - much better to cope with though. Whew. God Bless.
Tessie
I was taking my Ethambutol and Azithromycin w food too, but Dr. Huitt, from National Jewish, kind of lead doc on MAC, says definitively take on an empty stomach to be sure they are absorbed. I changed to do this, used to take with dinner, I feel better. I think they work better on empty stomach.
Others?
Thanks
Kay Strand
Kay, GOOD info from a trusted source! Hugs! Katherine
@tessie Hi Tessie .. you are correct. I have been told:
. 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.)
I've been told:
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.
BUT Tessie, we EACH must work with our Pulmonologists AND our bodies to see just what schedules works best for US! Each of our bodies are different .. our mycobacterium is different .. how we react is different .. THAT is why we must all do our OWN 'due diligence' .. but then also work along side our doctors for our own best care! Hugs! Katherine
I take my pills daily. Seems like everyone else takes their x3 ally.
@jillnalani, see my note to @tessie .. hope that helps you also!
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.)
I've been told:
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.
BUT Tessie, we EACH must work with our Pulmonologists AND our bodies to see just what schedules works best for US! Each of our bodies are different .. our mycobacterium is different .. how we react is different .. THAT is why we must all do our OWN 'due diligence' .. but then also work along side our doctors for our own best care! Hugs! Katherine
Hi @mellany, welcome to the MAC group on Connect. Was CBD prescribed by your pulmonologist? I might be concerned about vaping given that you have a lung condition. I also question whether CBD could help antibiotics work faster. You may wish to speak to your doctor or pharmacist about that or review this article and search tool to check for drug interactions with cannabis https://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/cannabis.html
Please let us know what you find out.
Hi ColleenThank you for your response to my post. I looked on the list of drugs that interact with CBD and none of the three antibiotics are listed. Since CBD is an inflammatory, I would think that it would help and not hinder. I haven't talked with my doctor about it because doctors sometimes get upset if you go beyond the normal prescribed medicines. CBD is legal in Mississippi as long as it has a minimum amount of THC in it. Since the CBD that I am taking is made from hemp, there is .3% THC, which is the legal limit. I may re-think the vaping though, because after two days, I developed a horrific cough! But my husband has the same thing, so I believe we must have bronchhitis. I have an appointment with my doctor in the morning and will find out more then.
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I take my antibx daily. SIGH