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Stomach issues after taking antibiotics for 15 months:(

Posted by yaduhyaduhsquawk @yaduhyaduhsquawk, Apr 5 7:20pm

Hi, I have been taking “the big 3” antibiotics for 15 months now for nodular MAC. My doctor recommends 18 months of treatment. I had some intermittent, intestinal issues for the first 2 to 3 months, but kept taking the my probiotics and meds, etc. For the past month plus I have experienced terrible bloating starting below my sternum to my pubic bone. I haven’t made any changes in my MAC med regimen. Anyone else experience this?

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yaduhyaduhsquawk | @yaduhyaduhsquawk | Apr 13 10:50am
In reply to @lilianna "After 23 months of MAC treatment I developed terrible gastrointestinal problems- bloated, abdominal pain - I..." + (show)
Profile picture for lilianna @lilianna

After 23 months of MAC treatment I developed terrible gastrointestinal problems- bloated, abdominal pain - I contacted Michelle mc Donald, a dietician who worked at NJH and now has her own business. Her onsite and expertise helped me with the problem. Although it took me more than four months to be able to eat normally and stop taking antispasmodic meds. It’s all antibiotics that ruin your gastric system

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@lilianna
Thank you for your reply. Assistance from a nutritionist sounds like great advice!

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tte | @tte | Apr 13 11:05am
In reply to @jenny0822 "I have been on meds since November 2025. Only on two because i couldn’t take the..." + (show)
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I have been on meds since November 2025. Only on two because i couldn’t take the Arikace. Bloating for me was gerd. It has calmed down for now. It caused many issues. Are you on anything like Pepcid? When I bloat I take Gas X and it helps. I stopped Pepcid because it rebound and was causing more problems. So now it’s just tums

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@jenny0822, I agree on taking Gas X chewable, or round capsules to help with bloating from the big 3. I automatically take 2 right when I take my azithromycin & ethambutol. I think the Macrolide=Azithromycin is the culprit for my bloating, as I had bloating years ago when I was o Azithro 250 mg 3x week for the lung inflammation benefits (like Cystic fibrosis patients take even though I am *Non-CF bronchiectasis). I have until end of May on the Big 3, then hopefully I will get a drug holiday from them per the 2 Infectious disease docs I see.

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tte | @tte | Apr 13 11:11am

@yaduhyaduhsquawk , I had gastritis 2024 seen on endoscopy , after I had only been on the big 3 for 5 months. I was placed on protonix 2x day but this year have weaned myself off the protonix since I am eating better & already have osteoporosis (I don't want to worsen the osteoporosis with the protonix use). Hopefully you don't have gastritis, maybe see a gastronintestinal doctor for consult?

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jenny0822 | @jenny0822 | Apr 13 12:03pm
In reply to @tte "@jenny0822, I agree on taking Gas X chewable, or round capsules to help with bloating from..." + (show)
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@jenny0822, I agree on taking Gas X chewable, or round capsules to help with bloating from the big 3. I automatically take 2 right when I take my azithromycin & ethambutol. I think the Macrolide=Azithromycin is the culprit for my bloating, as I had bloating years ago when I was o Azithro 250 mg 3x week for the lung inflammation benefits (like Cystic fibrosis patients take even though I am *Non-CF bronchiectasis). I have until end of May on the Big 3, then hopefully I will get a drug holiday from them per the 2 Infectious disease docs I see.

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It does help. I never thought to take with the meds. I could never take azithromycin but I do now. The other thing that helps me is take it with lots of water. 6-8 Oz at least. That totally helps me. Thanks for sharing 😊@tte

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yaduhyaduhsquawk | @yaduhyaduhsquawk | Apr 14 1:48am
In reply to @tte "@yaduhyaduhsquawk , I had gastritis 2024 seen on endoscopy , after I had only been on..." + (show)
Profile picture for tte @tte

@yaduhyaduhsquawk , I had gastritis 2024 seen on endoscopy , after I had only been on the big 3 for 5 months. I was placed on protonix 2x day but this year have weaned myself off the protonix since I am eating better & already have osteoporosis (I don't want to worsen the osteoporosis with the protonix use). Hopefully you don't have gastritis, maybe see a gastronintestinal doctor for consult?

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@tte
Thank you! 🙂

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yaduhyaduhsquawk | @yaduhyaduhsquawk | Apr 14 11:08pm
In reply to @tte "@jenny0822, I agree on taking Gas X chewable, or round capsules to help with bloating from..." + (show)
Profile picture for tte @tte

@jenny0822, I agree on taking Gas X chewable, or round capsules to help with bloating from the big 3. I automatically take 2 right when I take my azithromycin & ethambutol. I think the Macrolide=Azithromycin is the culprit for my bloating, as I had bloating years ago when I was o Azithro 250 mg 3x week for the lung inflammation benefits (like Cystic fibrosis patients take even though I am *Non-CF bronchiectasis). I have until end of May on the Big 3, then hopefully I will get a drug holiday from them per the 2 Infectious disease docs I see.

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@tte
Thanks! I had not about the simple, over the counter method that might help significantly. I will give it a try!

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