I have a pulmonologist, and am working on seeing an infectious disease doc. I have no health insurance as of yet, so I'm applying for charity care at my doctor's office.  I also see a PA which is an internist, so she sets up the appointments within the physician's group. I've been using the goodrx app to get a discount on my meds, and that helps a good deal, but it doesn't help with everything. My nausea tends to be after I take my antibiotics, usually about 30 minutes or so after taking them. I haven't found anything that can soothe this yet, since all the anti-nausea meds can make you sleepy, and I have to work. The next thing I'm going to try is ginger root. I know you can get it in the grocery store, and it's a natural food. I hate taking pills. Good news so far: My first AFB sputum smear came back negative! I know I have to wait for the culture results to come in, but ANY good news at this point makes me feel really good. I won't get my hopes up and I know that I need to take each thing as it is. I'm just grateful for something positive. Have a great night!

Thanks Lvo and good luck to you too. Sounds like we'll be starting about the same time so we can compare notes! Let's keep in touch. Here's hoping all goes well for both of us!
Happy New Year!  :)

@Tracer  From what I have understood and read, cavitary MAC has a different treatment regimen, whereas nodular and bronchiectatic patients take these meds twice or three times a week. I'm dealing with side effects, which are unpleasant. I believe I will be buying stocks of Charmin and baby wipes, LOL! Might as well make some money with this thing! Happy New Year to you too!​

I do zpak 3 times a week with no side affects been for 3 yrs now.  I have been on probiotic but tryng to figure out not to take it when do zpak.   Days I am off zpak good idea.

Hi Chicken_Little! (Love that name!! haha)  I have been declared "interesting" & "complicated"! At first they thought abscessus/bolettii & I assumed PICC line would be my fate. Then they had me do 3 sputum specimens.....now they're thinking MAI is dominant but if not will later treat for chelonae abscessus (not sure what happened to the "bolettii") Anyway, I will pick up the "big 3" (rifamppin, ethambutol & clarithromycin) sometime the first week of January and probably start around the 9th.  You've already started? How is that going for you? Side effects? Any suggestions as to when is a good time to take them? I believe I'll have to take them 2x's a day, daily. I have a trip planned the end of February. A little nervous as to how I'll be feeling for that but don't want to delay treatment any longer. You're not alone. I'm right there with you! Meanwhile let's hope for a happy New Year! :)

oops.....don't know why this printed twice. sorry

@Tracer  it's my CB handle. I drive a dump truck for a living. And thanks! I've been nauseous pretty much every day, but eat small meals. My weight hasn't fluctuated much, but them trips to the bathroom are plentiful! I usually take rifampin around 4:00 am, which is when I wake up. That one is taken on an empty stomach, and I have to wait an hour before I eat. BUT... it didn't say I couldn't have my coffee, which is my emotional support beverage. :)  Then I take a probiotic at around 11 or 12:00 pm with my lunch. Then, when I get home I take the ethambutol and the azithromycin. I think the ethambutol is affecting my vision a little, so I'm calling the eye doctor tomorrow. Best of luck on your journey with this! 

@chicken_Little Thank you for sharing all of that. Nauseous all day or just certain times?  When did you start meds?
I'm going to start Thursday a.m. I was planning on taking the Rifampin at bed time. The ethambutol & clarithromycin 8a.m  and clarithromycin 8pm. Will do probiotic/vit. at noon or whenever lunch rolls around. And YES to the coffee! 
I have a trip coming up in February....includes a flight with 2 hour layover. Will be interesting with these meds but hopefully won't be too much of a hassle. 
Hope your vision checkup goes well!
Keep in touch & good luck to you too!

How long after starting the big 3 did you start to feel better?

@mondragon I'm lucky. I never felt bad.  When I coughed up blood I was admitted and bronchoscopy is what got me eventually to the "big 3". I was queasy a few days when I  started but since then.....no problems.  (Fingers crossed) Still hoping this is the right treatment. The doctors finally decided MAC was the dominant bacteria. With covid19 I haven't been able to get 3 month lab tests and f/u CT. There was abscessus in bronch specimen and f/u sputum. So, I'm hoping this will do it and won't need to switch to PICC line treatment. In answer to your question though....no problems so far and only slighty queasy in the first week.  I hope you aren't having problems with these meds and feel better soon!