1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

(MAC/MAI) Mycobacterium Avium Complex Pulmonary Disease: Join us

Posted by Katherine, Alumni Mentor @katemn, Nov 21, 2011

I am new to Mayo online .. I was hoping to find others with .. MYCOBACTERIUM AVIUM COMPLEX PULMONARY DISEASE (MAC/MAI) and/or BRONCHIECTASIS. I found only 1 thread on mycobacterium accidently under the catagory "Lungs". I'm hoping by starting a subject matter directly related to MYCOBACTERIUM AVIUM COMPLEX PULMONARY DISEASE (MAC/MAI) I may find others out there!

I was diagnosed by a sputum culture August 2007 (but the culture result was accidentally misfiled until 2008!) with MYCOBACTERIUM AVIUM COMPLEX PULMONARY DISEASE (MAC/MAI) and BRONCHIECTASIS. I am now on 5 antibiotics. Working with Dr. Timothy Aksamit at Rochester Mayo Clinic .. he is a saint to have put up with me this long! I was terrified of the treatment . started the first antibiotic September 3, 2011 ... am now on all 5 antibiotics for 18 mos to 2 years. Am delighted at the very bearable side effects!

I wrote on the 1 thread I found: If you google NON-TUBERCULOUS MYCOBACTERIUM AVIUM COMPLEX PULMONARY DISEASE (MAC/MAI) you will learn a LOT about the disease. But PLEASE do NOT get scared about all the things you read .. that is what I did and nearly refused to do the treatment until after a 2nd Micomacterium was discovered! Educate yourself for "due diligence" .. but take it all with a grain of salt .. you are NOT necessarily going to have all the terrible side effects of the antibiotics! Good luck to you!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
January 2017 Update

One of our great Connect Members .. @Paula_MAC2007  .. had a wonderfully helpful idea that I wanted to share! Her idea .. as you read through the pages to gather information on our shared disease of MAC you can develop a personal "file cabinet" for future reference without the necessity of reading all the pages again!

If you have the "MS Word" program on your computer:
- Document Title Example:  Mayo Clinic Connect MAI/MAC Information
- Then develop different categories that make sense to you such as:  Heath Aids .. Videos .. Healthy Living .. Positive Thinking .. Baseline Testing and Regular Testing .. Antibiotics ..
Tips for
- As you read the pages .. copy/paste/save things of interest into that MS Word document under your preferred categories for future reference.

Then as you want to refer back to something in the future .. YEAH!  You have now created your own personal "file cabinet" on MAC/MAI!  Go to it!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the MAC & Bronchiectasis Support Group.

Katherine, Alumni Mentor | @katemn | Jan 6, 2017
In reply to @lindam272 "Marie - I just joined this forum also and live in Arizona so can't help from..." + (show)
@lindam272

Marie - I just joined this forum also and live in Arizona so can't help from that standpoint. The woman who started this forum is on vacation until early January. I began here by reading all 19 pages of posts. A bit daunting, but I did it over the course of 3 or 4 sittings and took breaks when I felt overwhelmed. I just finished yesterday. There is a ton of information here that will help you. I "favorited" the links to further information and resources, put the items that might be helpful for purchase on a wish list on Amazon (have since ordered pretty much all of them!) and just focused on the discussion. Now I will go back and read the additional information. I will do what I can to help until someone in the FL area jumps on here. You will probably have most of your questions answered through the posts. This is a very supportive group. You are not alone now! You have a bunch of people here to help you. Peace and Love, Linda

Jump to this post

Kay, thanks for jumping in to help @lindam272 Linda! That is really good info! If people are not warned about the "red" .. it can be disconcerting! WHAT!! is going on?!

Plus I just looked back on my notes: RIFAMPIN INTERFERS WITH LIVER ABSORBSON OF SYNTHROID. Since I have been on Synthroid since my 40's .. that was important info for me.

Also found: Absorption of rifampin is reduced by about 30% when the drug is ingested with food. Take this medicine on an empty stomach, either 1 hour before or 2 hours after food.

Hope this helps Linda! Hugs to you both! Katherine

REPLY
judyem | @judyem | Jan 7, 2017
In reply to @katemn "@sophie1019 Hi Sophie, if it is ok with you I will share the apps of color..." + (show)
@katemn

@sophie1019 Hi Sophie, if it is ok with you I will share the apps of color blindness, CBT, visual test, and visual acuity test.!

Yes, both my color and distance vision did return .. it took about a year .. but I regain it fully! Frankly it was a bit scary but luckily it was caught early .. THAT is the key .. that is why these visual apps are so helpful I think!! Thank you for bringing it up! Hugs to you! Katherine

Jump to this post

Thanks Katherine for following up on this! Any additional information would be helpful!

REPLY
david1952 | @david1952 | Jan 7, 2017
In reply to @lindam272 "Marie - I just joined this forum also and live in Arizona so can't help from..." + (show)
@lindam272

Marie - I just joined this forum also and live in Arizona so can't help from that standpoint. The woman who started this forum is on vacation until early January. I began here by reading all 19 pages of posts. A bit daunting, but I did it over the course of 3 or 4 sittings and took breaks when I felt overwhelmed. I just finished yesterday. There is a ton of information here that will help you. I "favorited" the links to further information and resources, put the items that might be helpful for purchase on a wish list on Amazon (have since ordered pretty much all of them!) and just focused on the discussion. Now I will go back and read the additional information. I will do what I can to help until someone in the FL area jumps on here. You will probably have most of your questions answered through the posts. This is a very supportive group. You are not alone now! You have a bunch of people here to help you. Peace and Love, Linda

Jump to this post

I'm looking for advice from the group about nausea. I've had MAC for 5 months and am taking the BIG THree meds (Rifampin, Ethambutol and Clarithromycin) I've lost 12 pounds because of nausea and lack of appetite. I'm down to 133 pounds (I was six foot three and thin even before MAC). My pulmonologist told me to try perscription drug Ondasetron for nausea, but it doesn' seem to help. Any other ideas?
David

REPLY
terryb1 | @128128terry11t | Jan 7, 2017

Just started on 1/2/17 azithromycin, ethambutol, and rifampin. Feeling extremely nervous; high blood pressure; horrific insomnia for last 3 nights. Is this common? What can help. I am due to go to National Jewish in Denver but started treatment as everyone seems to be sick around me and had two consecutive pneumonias and felt very unprotected. Spoke with someone at National Jewish and she said I could start and that they may have to tweak. I think now that this is a distinct possibility. New to this forum and thank you so much for this needed support. I am truly grateful.

REPLY
22 replies
Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Jan 7, 2017
In reply to @128128terry11t "Just started on 1/2/17 azithromycin, ethambutol, and rifampin. Feeling extremely nervous; high blood pressure; horrific insomnia..." + (show)
@128128terry11t

Just started on 1/2/17 azithromycin, ethambutol, and rifampin. Feeling extremely nervous; high blood pressure; horrific insomnia for last 3 nights. Is this common? What can help. I am due to go to National Jewish in Denver but started treatment as everyone seems to be sick around me and had two consecutive pneumonias and felt very unprotected. Spoke with someone at National Jewish and she said I could start and that they may have to tweak. I think now that this is a distinct possibility. New to this forum and thank you so much for this needed support. I am truly grateful.

Jump to this post

Good Morning, @128128terry11t, and Welcome to the Connect community. I know that you will receive lots of support from many of our members - our Lung discussion group has been a very active and supportive one.
I am not experienced in lung health, but as far as your new medicine reactions, I know that all of us can have a variety of respo0nses to different medicines. "Tweaking" under your doctor's supervision is often necessary. And the fact that you were told that tweaking might be necessary, is a perfect reason to make a call to your doctor, or your pharmacy. It is possible that the timing of your doses, or before/after meals , or dosage adjustment might be helpful. I hope you feel better soon! Rosemary

REPLY
Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator | @kanaazpereira | Jan 7, 2017
In reply to @128128terry11t "Just started on 1/2/17 azithromycin, ethambutol, and rifampin. Feeling extremely nervous; high blood pressure; horrific insomnia..." + (show)
@128128terry11t

Just started on 1/2/17 azithromycin, ethambutol, and rifampin. Feeling extremely nervous; high blood pressure; horrific insomnia for last 3 nights. Is this common? What can help. I am due to go to National Jewish in Denver but started treatment as everyone seems to be sick around me and had two consecutive pneumonias and felt very unprotected. Spoke with someone at National Jewish and she said I could start and that they may have to tweak. I think now that this is a distinct possibility. New to this forum and thank you so much for this needed support. I am truly grateful.

Jump to this post

Hello @128128terry11t,

Welcome to Connect. I am so glad you found us, and I want to assure you that you have come to the right place for support, information, and good wishes.

We have a large MAC/MAI community, so you may wish to start by viewing past messages and discussions here: http://mayocl.in/2cwX36M

In the meantime, please meet @david1952, @lindam272, @krz4ua, @josephene, @laneyk, @imeehaigt, @kaystrand, @tdrell, @dianeray, @jilligirl, @liliane, @chinasmom, who will definitely have more insight for you.

And last but not least I would like to introduce you to one of our wonderful Mentors, @katemn; you are in good hands now!

REPLY
Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator | @kanaazpereira | Jan 7, 2017
In reply to @128128terry11t "Just started on 1/2/17 azithromycin, ethambutol, and rifampin. Feeling extremely nervous; high blood pressure; horrific insomnia..." + (show)
@128128terry11t

Just started on 1/2/17 azithromycin, ethambutol, and rifampin. Feeling extremely nervous; high blood pressure; horrific insomnia for last 3 nights. Is this common? What can help. I am due to go to National Jewish in Denver but started treatment as everyone seems to be sick around me and had two consecutive pneumonias and felt very unprotected. Spoke with someone at National Jewish and she said I could start and that they may have to tweak. I think now that this is a distinct possibility. New to this forum and thank you so much for this needed support. I am truly grateful.

Jump to this post

Hi @128128terry11t,

I would also encourage you to view these videos from National Jewish Health (2015 and 2016): https://www.nationaljewish.org/ntmvideos2016

You will find another great ongoing discussion on Connect (NTM/MAC/MAI: We must advocate for ourselves), here:
http://mayocl.in/2i0OkPw
@128128terry11t, may I ask what led to your diagnosis?

REPLY
lindam272 | @lindam272 | Jan 7, 2017
In reply to @katemn "@sophie1019 Hi Sophie, if it is ok with you I will share the apps of color..." + (show)
@katemn

@sophie1019 Hi Sophie, if it is ok with you I will share the apps of color blindness, CBT, visual test, and visual acuity test.!

Yes, both my color and distance vision did return .. it took about a year .. but I regain it fully! Frankly it was a bit scary but luckily it was caught early .. THAT is the key .. that is why these visual apps are so helpful I think!! Thank you for bringing it up! Hugs to you! Katherine

Jump to this post

Judy - The app that I have on my smart phone and the one Katherine is referring to is called Are You Color Blind? by James Kwan. If you go to the App Store on your phone and search "color blind" you should get that among others that are available. Linda

REPLY
lindam272 | @lindam272 | Jan 7, 2017
In reply to @lindam272 "Marie - I just joined this forum also and live in Arizona so can't help from..." + (show)
@lindam272

Marie - I just joined this forum also and live in Arizona so can't help from that standpoint. The woman who started this forum is on vacation until early January. I began here by reading all 19 pages of posts. A bit daunting, but I did it over the course of 3 or 4 sittings and took breaks when I felt overwhelmed. I just finished yesterday. There is a ton of information here that will help you. I "favorited" the links to further information and resources, put the items that might be helpful for purchase on a wish list on Amazon (have since ordered pretty much all of them!) and just focused on the discussion. Now I will go back and read the additional information. I will do what I can to help until someone in the FL area jumps on here. You will probably have most of your questions answered through the posts. This is a very supportive group. You are not alone now! You have a bunch of people here to help you. Peace and Love, Linda

Jump to this post

So, this is what my schedule looks like right now. Up at 6:30 / 7am - probiotic / 8am Azithromycin and breakfast / 10am first Rifampin w/full glass of water (just starting today 1/7) / 12:00 First Ethambutol with light lunch / 2pm Second Rifampin w/full glass of water / 4pm second Ethambutol w/snack / 6pm Third Ethambutol w/light dinner / 8pm probiotic on empty stomach. I figure I will take my vitamins when I wake up in the middle of the night because I can't figure out how to take them with this schedule. The woman in my office who is also fighting this disease says she doesn't take 2 of anything at the same time so I'm following her example which has helped so far. Any feedback would be appreciated. Linda

REPLY
terryb1 | @128128terry11t | Jan 7, 2017
In reply to @128128terry11t "Just started on 1/2/17 azithromycin, ethambutol, and rifampin. Feeling extremely nervous; high blood pressure; horrific insomnia..." + (show)
@128128terry11t

Just started on 1/2/17 azithromycin, ethambutol, and rifampin. Feeling extremely nervous; high blood pressure; horrific insomnia for last 3 nights. Is this common? What can help. I am due to go to National Jewish in Denver but started treatment as everyone seems to be sick around me and had two consecutive pneumonias and felt very unprotected. Spoke with someone at National Jewish and she said I could start and that they may have to tweak. I think now that this is a distinct possibility. New to this forum and thank you so much for this needed support. I am truly grateful.

Jump to this post

I see that many of you started the antibiotics one at a time. I, unfortunately, was put on all 3 at once by my local ID doctor. I am due to fly to Denver for appointment of 1/16 with Dr. Drummond. I originally was scheduled with Dr. Daley and spoke with his nurse who told me I could go on meds before coming to Denver. Hope that that won't foul up what they need to do.
I am experiencing great difficulty with insomnia and somewhat high blood pressure and tachycardia. Nobody else seems to report those kinds of symptoms. First diagnosed in 2007 with MAI and bronchiectasis (went to ER because of hemoptysis -- love these fancy terms -- sounds better than coughing up blood )and have been followed since then. Seems that my turn has come for the "treatment". I am on so many other meds; thus, concerned that there may be some interaction going on. Awaiting results of thyroid test on Monday. Would love that to be the case but I have been told by my primary that it makes no sense and I haven't been on treatment long enough. I insisted that it be checked anyone. We must be our own advocates. I will call Denver on Monday and tell them what's going on and ask for advice as to how to proceed before I see them. I have a feeling that I will meet many wonderful people on this site. Words are inadequate for me to express my gratitude. You can even google my name so that you know that I exist as a real person. I am from New York so we are all paranoid! Bless you and your kindness. I look forward to getting to know so many of you more.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.