maintenance dosage

I have a friend in Ireland who is taking the big 3 three times weekly all the time. Her consultant told her that MAC never really goes away. She has no real side effects but she is very thin. She had to give up work as her stamina is reduced and she gets fatigued. She is a biochemist. Different countries seem to adopt a variety of approaches. I would be worried that I would become resistant to antibiotics and my gut would be stripped.
I have an rescue pack if I get a bronchiectasis flare up but have avoided taking it. As a teacher I am exposed to so many germs. I get anxious when children have coughs and colds! I am meticulous with hand washing. I hope you will be ok on your maintence antibiotic.

thank you! i would just be taking the azithromycin, not the big 3, but i’m still worried about resistance to the antibiotic eventually. and AZ is the antibiotic that seems to work when i have a flare up. can i ask…what is in your rescue pack?

I have steroids and AZ. Yes they do say that it is one that helps get rid of MAC and that developing resistance is not good. Ask about it - it is all so difficult as these antibiotics can help but they can also cause problems. It is most important to report any side effects.

I forgot to ask if you do any airway clearance to help clear the mucus?

yes…i use an AFLO vest and a nebulizer with albuterol. sometimes add saline to the albuterol. when i have an episode i use AZ and steroids. but this last time, it took rounds of AZ to clear the infection. i’m debating whether to start the AZ 3 time a week.

….took 2 rounds of AZ….

Hi I am in my 3rd year after diagnosis of Bronchiectasis I started off 2years ago taking Azithromycin mon wed fri but after being admitted to hospital with pneumonia 12 times in less than 2years I now take them 7 days a week along with a heap of other things but nothing send to work anyhow hope this helps.

@ patleon11254, @namd
If I read your posts correctly it appears you both have been prescribed steroids..... if I am correct in my understanding of what you posted.
It is my understanding that steroids weaken the immune system....you may have read this or may have been told this by your doctor. Sometimes and most times, we have to involve ourselves with meds that do affect us and our system in a negative way just as they may appear to help us with another problem.....as we all sadly know.
Barbara

I have only ever taken them for 6 days last year. Would not want to be on them long term. The made me feel hyper and I could not sleep. They are in my rescue pack if I ever have a bronchiectasis flare up. Thank you for your message. Niamh

I have rarely been prescribed steroids, however they do seem to work when I take them.