The big 3 antibiotics for MAC

Posted by Jennifer @megan123, Feb 23, 2019

I have been on the big 3 now for app 10 months...few days ago my stomach started cramping, and just simply felt painful....I'm wondering if I have just started developing some side effects to these drugs...my Dr from Toronto told me to stop drugs for a few days....of course this just happens when I get to Florida...if it doesn't improve, Tampa General Hosp is a back up to see if something else is happening....anyone else had this happen after 10 months...welcome to Florida. Lol

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irene5 Irene Estes | @irene5 | Apr 7 10:42am

In reply to @bettyarn "Thanks Irene for your encouragement. I am finding peace with this. I haven’t started the treatment..." + (show)

Ok. So here is the reason many of us lose weight. Our bodies are working overtime to fight this disease of foreign invaders. Due to that process our bodies become fatigued, and we lose weight. You or may not may lose weight initially on the meds, but please try them. Also take a probiotic (Garden of Life has a good one) when you do start them and drink things like Ensure. Adding vitamin D is a help as well. Good nutrition is key. Wishing you perseverance in all this. Irene5

susang53 | @susang53 | Apr 7 12:16pm

In reply to @bettyarn "My name is Betty and I was diagnosed with MAI and bronchiectasis in 2019. I never..." + (show)

Hi, Betty...I am sorry you have to start the antibiotics. I am also very thin and started the big 3 back in 11/23, taking them on MWF. I am sorry to say that the side effects for me have been flu-like symptoms...body aches and chills, etc. This did not happen at first, but after a few months! These symptoms start of Friday night and into the weekend, after a week of the meds. Also some stomach uncomfort but the flu-like symptoms are my biggest problem. I wish you well.

jnmy | @jnmy | Apr 8 11:56am

All the best with your treatments. In addition to fighting off infection, I’ve also read that the amount of coughing many of us do to even clear the phlegm out uses up calories too. Drinking the Ensure or Boost is a good idea. We need to eat more often and eat more than what would have been normal for us to consume each day.

nonamebrand | @nonamebrand | Apr 13 8:28am

I don't understand why my Drs put me on a daily pill regimen when maybe I should be taken them every other day .I'm only 80 lbs now ,no appetite and losing more .I'm only on the first two .and can't sleep nights and now have bad stomach every day .Can't get much done in bed all day sometimes ??? I'd also.like to go to NJC but can't afford the expenses .no depressed ..yup you just want to die !!

ralphcmtrust | @ralphcmtrust | Apr 14 9:45am

Sometimes it is wiser to listen to your body AND tell your Dr.

If the Dr cannot explain why you should continue and what will happen if you do not stay on your present schedule, its your decision.

Your Dr can only suggest the treatment, YOU make the choice to follow his suggestion.
Godspeed.........

nonamebrand | @nonamebrand | Apr 14 10:00am

Thank you .I'm just so tired of being told too many things to do and take from four different Drs who don't seem to be on the same page .just reading each others notes from visit to visit .That's the kind of Drs we have here all on a rotating schedule and never see the same one twice .I'm a person not a Disease !!! .not that I want special treatment but in my condition cachexia ,NFL ,80 lbs ??? I am a special case but am not seen that way .I might as well be 300 lbs !!!