Is there anyone who's going through the same thing as me?

I'm wondering who your pulmonologist/ ID doc is and whether they're following up with you. In my experience after 6 months of positive cultures while on the meds I was taken off rifampin and given inhaled amikacin as my third med. After 2 more months I had my first negative sputum.

Maybe it's time to see an NTM specialist. I'm no doctor but it seems to me that if the 3 meds haven't worked by now something else should be tried. Good luck!

Has your MAC been tested for resistance to the particular drugs you're on? If not, perhaps your doctor can request that.

thank you Coffcoff and Linda. I am in Toronto, I went to see NTM specialist in Western hospital yesterday, the doctor I saw is very young, all the senior doctors are no longer accepting new patients anymore. He changed my medication plan, he decreased the dose of Rifampin and etibi, I will continue taking rifampin 3 times a week and the other 2 medication daily. I am quite worried because I don't know if I can tolerate the change, and if the change will be effective or not.

@fuzhou701 , do you want to ask your doctor if he prescribes Arikayce, inhaled medication? The study said that the cure rate will be so much higher if taking together with regular regimen. The medication is quite expensive and not sure your insurance will cover it. My doctor insisted to have me taking it asap. Regards

@peggykw
next time I see him will be in Feb. I didn't ask him about Arikayce, not sure if we have it in Toronto.

@fuzhou701 I agree with @peggykw. Arikayce can be a real game changer. It was for me. And you need to have confidence and a rapport with your doctors. (ID and pulmonologist team). Advocating for yourself is the best medicine. On another note, my daughter Guo Qian is from Fuzhou. :). Feel better. Irene5

@irene5

Sorry , I am still learning how to respond to this support group. The medication Azithromycin I received is manufactured in CSPC Ouyi pharmaceuticals in Heidi China. It is manufactured for Precision Dose in IL USA. The other two manufactured in India for Lupin pharmaceuticals in Florida . I always skeptical about generic drugs. Nowadays, med is so expensive now that leave us no choice but to accept whatever is in the market. The best is to stay healthy by all means.

@fuzhou701 i believe arikayce is available in Canada only through the Special Access Program by physician request