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Discontinuing MAC antibiotics
For those who have been on the horrible 3 MAC drugs plus Amikacin/Arikayce and terminated usage, was it done cold turkey or did you get off them gradually in the way they were introduced?
Asking on behalf of my husband Bruce who is lobbying his ID/Pulmonologist to either suspend the drugs so he can get out from under the side effects for a bit, or end them completely.
On the up side he has had 7 negative cultures and is no longer producing sputum.
Thanks in advance for your responses.
Melissa
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I was on the big 3 for almost 4 years. My pulmonologist took me off of all a few months ago to “give my body a rest. Months prior a pulmonologist / infectious disease doctor I was referred to actually increased my dosage. I just returned from NJH in Denver three weeks ago where I was told there is a possibility my body has built up an immunity to the big 3 and not to start taking them again until a culture comes back which they will treat with the big 3. If no response they will prescribe another drug.
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2 ReactionsI did just stop them myself. I finally have an appointment with the infectious diseases doctor tomorrow. I am anxious to see if he is helpful. If not, I don't know yet what I will try. So happy that you found a better doctor!
Coughing...I have had severe coughing in the past so badly that it gave me muscle spasms in my throat and stomach. I did not know about it then, but have since learned that drinking HOT water helps...and it does! I'm talking hot chocolate hot. Not a cure, but it soothes the coughing for a while. Best of luck to you.
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