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Anyone notice a change in abdominal girth while on MAC meds?

Posted by yaduhyaduhsquawk @yaduhyaduhsquawk, Sep 20, 2025

Hi, I have been taking Azithromycin, Ethambutal & Rifampin on M, W & Fri for 10 months. Planning to take it for 18 months. Cultures were obtained during my bronchoscopy after serial scans revealed increasing numbers of pulmonary nodules and BE. It seems to be gradual, but my “belly” is larger. I have 5’8” and usually weigh 135. My weight lately has been less @ 130, but my abdomen seems larger. Some days I have a lot of bloating that starts just below my sternum and extends all the way to my groin. I am 64 so I suppose it could be age related. 🫤 I just have always had the figure of a yardstick 😳
Thank you for your time!

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yaduhyaduhsquawk | @yaduhyaduhsquawk | Sep 23, 2025
In reply to @sherryk24 "My guess is that the Big 3 cause inflammation of our intestines, and since our intestines..." + (show)
Profile picture for sherryk24 @sherryk24

My guess is that the Big 3 cause inflammation of our intestines, and since our intestines are on average 24 feet long, I would certainly expect this bloating.
I’ve only been on the 3 every day for 3 weeks and experience the bloating, stomach aches and nausea.
Sherry

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Yes, for sure when I started the MAC medicines. The first 2 to 3 weeks were the worst. I felt as if there was a battle going on between the good bacteria (beneficial) and the bad bacteria in my intestinal track. Thank you for your reply. =)

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yaduhyaduhsquawk | @yaduhyaduhsquawk | Sep 24, 2025
In reply to @cyndanna "I am in the same boat. I’m 63, 5’9” and have always been thin with no..." + (show)
Profile picture for cyndanna @cyndanna

I am in the same boat. I’m 63, 5’9” and have always been thin with no stomach. I am now super thin at 114 pounds, but since going on meds, I have a bloated belly. It sounds the same as you describe yours. I keep thinking, between the antibiotics and probiotics, there’s a war going on in my gut. For the two years before going on the antibiotics, I was under a lot of stress, but this has only happened since starting the meds. Although I do want to say, as a health coach, I am always seeing stress turning into belly fat with clients. Particularly postmenopausal women.

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Having not experienced such bloating before, I thought it must just be the new me 🫤
You and others here have made me feel like I am not alone in this process. Thank you for your time and helpful comments!

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