hi Teaberry. I unfortunately don’t have answers but wanted to let you know that you aren’t alone. My wife has very recently been diagnosed with bronchiectasis and M. Abscessus. She will start the same cocktail next week (IV amikacin, imepenum, clofazimine, Linezolid). She’s only 39 years old and we have 2 small kids. We are trying to stay positive and focused on keeping her healthy so that she can tolerate the meds. Who knows, maybe she’ll be one of the lucky ones that defeat all abscessus. In the meanwhile, we hope at least this stops the progression enough that she can switch off IVs sooner rather than Later and get surgery if needed. I wish you the best of luck and know that we will thinking about you too.

i do take probiotic every day. They say the ones kept in fridge are best. Good yogurt is good.. Dr Oz said only thing should be in yogurt is milk and the live cultures. Good luck on finding just that.

Hello! As Rplaset mentioned previously, you are not alone. This site was created to answer questions and to offer support.

Is there a support group in your area?

I strongly recommend taking probiotics, start this weekend if possible before you start taking the medications

Rplaset,

Hello! I realize that this is an extremely challenging time for you . I wish your wife the very best with the initiation of drugs.

Do you have family support to assist you with the children at this time?

We have to hope, wish and pray for the best outcome. Please keep us posted

Hi Teaberry, thanks so much for taking the time to write to me. I know you are going through a difficult time too.

How did today go? Please feel free to email me at rplaset@gmail.com to keep each other apprised as we start this journey or if you ever just need someone to listen to you. I am praying and wishing you well.

Rplaset,

Hello! I hope that the first day went ok. Staying well hydrated with flavors water is important at this time. Have your wife limit the amount of coffee, diet sodas if possible.

I consumed a lot of caffeine for energy at that time which disturbed my gastrointestinal system.

It is so important to stay positive , one day at a time. Your family is in my prayers

Hi teaberry, I was thinking about you and just checking up on your first week of treatment. I hope it is going well! Please take care.

Hi Teaberry,

I'm sorry to hear about your condition. I took a number of antibiotics including Amikacin and Imipenim when I had NTM many years ago. After a while taking the antibiotics I began to develop rashes. I was then told by the doctors at National Jewish to take probiotics and with in a couple of days of taking the probiotics the rashes went away, never to return. The kind I took were Jarro-Dophilus EPS, http://www.jarrow.com/product/228/Jarro-Dophilus_E...

My recommendation is to keep a journal of your symptoms and any reactions you think you might be having to the medications so that when you see your doctor, you will have better describe what happened to you and when.