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Pain while on the 3 antibiotics.
I’m asking for my spouse diagnosed with MAC in Dec 2024 and been on the ‘big 3’ antibiotics since then. He has been suffering from terrible pain (barely tolerable) - knees, hips, back, elbows and now into hands… Is the pain caused by the antibiotics? When he finishes his regiment will the pain go away? His sputum tests have been clear for some time now.
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Can you name the antibiotics he is taking?
I suppose you are talking about macrolide (like azithromycin or clarithromycin), ethambutol, and rifampin.
Joint and muscle pain can be a side effect of some of these antibiotics, particularly ethambutol. It's also possible the pain is related to the MAC infection itself.
In many cases, if the pain is a side effect of the medication, it will go away once the treatment is finished.
Since his sputum tests are clear, it's a great sign that the treatment is working. Still, you should discuss the pain with his doctor, since he is introduced to all the meds he is taking and can prescribe some analgesics to manage it.
Thank you for your input.
I had lots of side effects. But no pain. Did you google the drugs side effects? Did he mention to his doc?
Yes those 3 drugs. Have made appointment with Dr. Next week.
Yes have mentioned to Dr. Have appointment next week