Side effects of the.BIG 3

@terrimacdonald Welcome to Mayo Connect and our support group. You'll find a wealth of information and great support here, because we "get" what you are experiencing. In my experience, yes, my pain and swelling increased on the Big 3 - and using NSAIDS is pretty much a no-go - so I was left to manage with Tylenol, heat, massage and other alternative measures.
What I did wrong was to use the pain and fatigue as an excuse to stop exercising - I got myself to a very bad place, where I was a couch potato in pain. If you can possibly manage it, I would strongly suggest some gentle Yoga, stretching and walking.
What have you been doing so far to combat the increased pain?

Sue, Thank you! I refuse to give into this pain. I’m exercising daily with Pilates, barre, weight training and walking. ( not all in one day 😂)
I feel so much better knowing that the inflammation is not unusual. With all the side effects, I don’t recall this one.
This website is very insightful and I feel encouraged to be part of the group.

Hello,
I have been on the big 3 for now for 10 months. I take them with food because of stomach cramps and nausea. Taking them with food really helps me. I also have some fatigue but I try bot to get discouraged and remember that is temporary. I do gentle stretches and I’m part of an exercise class for over 55. I also walk and play pickleball on the good days. Being part of a class motives me to be there and makes me more accountable. Some days are hard and I questioned my decision of taking the big 3.
The good news is I have an improved CT of my chest and my sputum have been negative! It’s a lot of hard work to keep up with all the side effects of the antibiotics and all the ACT and mitigations etc. Some days are very difficult but having faith and taking a day at the time helped me. All the best to you

Hi Terri,
Retired organic chemist and microbiologist here. Ethambutol raises the uric acid in your blood, which in turn can cause joint pain or exacerbate it. My ID doc warned me of it as well since I have zero aches/pains at my age (yet!).
Perhaps once every 2 weeks I'm noticing very, very slight back pain-very different from recovery day after my "back day weightlifting" which is muscular pain. As others who are here have stated, it's imperative to keep moving every single day since movement releases endorphins, your body's natural painkiller. Terri

I have been on the big 3 for 15 months and recently I am experiencing hand pain. I'm not sure if it's from the antibiotics or if it could be arthritis. It is worse at night and in the morning. In the evening they hurt but in the morning they hurt bad and are stiff. I have to hold my coffee cup in my left hand and grip around the mug itself rather than the handle.

This support group has been very helpful as I’ve started my journey treating my M Abscessus as an inpatient last week for 7 days. At home I have 2 IV drugs (Amikacin & Imipenem) and oral Linezolid. My Dr called me yesterday and he is working with the ID pharmacist to obtain approval of an oral drug to replace Amikacin. I hope that can happen because the 4 hour IV time 3 times a week is draining. I did need a PICC line inserted at the hospital and that is the main thing keeping me cautious with exercise since being home. I do leg stretches and walking to keep me moving.
Thanks again for all the information that is shared here!