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Is zinc a good mineral to take
Mollyfoxalden123
I have NTM chimera …..taking Arithromycin ..Ethambutol and Refapicin just started the course 2 days ago
Bronchiectasis with cavitation
Sjogrens Disease …no systemic treatment
Is it save to take a zinc suppłement?
I am 83 and live in the UK
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AI search:
It is generally advised to avoid starting any new over-the-counter supplements, including zinc, without first consulting your doctor or the infectious disease specialist managing your NTM care. While zinc offers immune benefits, taking it alongside your current NTM treatment plan carries several notable concerns:
Antibiotic Absorption: Zinc acts as a multivalent cation. If taken at the same time as azithromycin, it can bind to the antibiotic in the stomach, forming an insoluble complex. This reduces the body's absorption of the antibiotic, potentially affecting treatment efficacy. If a doctor clears you to take zinc, a significant time gap is generally required between taking zinc and antibiotics.
Ethambutol Interactions: Ethambutol is a metal-chelating agent that interacts with trace metals like zinc and copper in the body. Interactions between zinc and ethambutol have been shown in some studies to affect intracellular metal balance, which may be relevant to the risk of ethambutol-induced ocular side effects.
Underlying Conditions: With both bronchiectasis and Sjogrens, your systemic health requires careful, specialized monitoring. Your healthcare team must evaluate if you are experiencing any drug-induced nutrient depletions (common with long-term antibiotics) before they recommend supplementation
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5 Reactions@irenea8 Thank you for your advice .I will check out the zinc as I used to take it and believe it helped with Winter chest infections .Some Sjogrens symptoms and Bronchiectasis symptoms can be very similar and as to NTM symptoms I just dont know .The side effects of the Big Three Antibiotics are an added complication the whole issue is quite overwhelming and I can see why my local hospital respiratory doctor had asked me if I would prefer to transfer to one of the London Teaching Hospitals and this might be a better option .
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1 Reaction@mollyfoxalden123
@mollyfoxalden123
It was not my advice. It was from a search using AI. But I hope you understood it to say it is of concern to take Zinc if you are also taking NTM treatments.
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1 Reaction@mollyfoxalden123 Will your doctor order mineral testing ie zinc, magnesium, copper etc?
@irenea8 understood ..thank you .́
@melinda561 probably not .
@mollyfoxalden123
@mollyfoxalden123
Hi there, I am in London too. I was diagnosed with NTM and Bronchiectasis in 2022. I was only 56. My whole life turned upside down. I took the big 3 for 14 months it was torture. I had to give up my job as Assistant Head as working 12 hour days was no longer an option. My MAC cleared and I had almost a year of freedom from antibiotics but alas it returned and I am on watchful waiting. I now work 3 days a week as a teacher - the fatigue is something else but I keep going. My family has been great. I have a CT scan next week and the ID and Respiratory consultants will make a decision based on the results. Hope you are taking a probiotic and eating well - small meals are the best - lots of protein and drink lots of water. They do not know as much here in the UK about this awful lung disease. I hope your treatment helps. Stay strong
Thank you ..it’s very difficult to stay positive …only been taking the big 3 for 10 days and 18 months feels like a lifetime with no guarantee of it being of lasting success as you have pointed out.
I make my own Kefir so hopefully that will help .
Unfortunately I can’t have any treatment for my Sjogrens as the drugs for both conditions are not compatible…Every day is a lottery on how I will feel but there is nothing to be done except to accept it all.