So. today it dawned on me that I had sort of left my health issues lay here with no updates since. . . . . . .late last year? Well, let's just say things haven't changed a lot, but they aren't getting any better yet. Xrays are
showing a new nodule in my right lung, which isn't really getting me excited, and I will have another CTscan soon. We have had some major issues trying to find the right medication that I can tolerate. The treatment for this infection, affectionatelyn know as Non-Tuberculosis Mycobacterium or any of several other alphabet groups, is a regimen of three drugs....Azithromycin, Ethanbutol and generally Rifampin or Rifambutol. As it turn out, both of them ended up giving me fevers by the
evening--ones up between 101 F and 1012 F. So the doctor dealt with folks at the Mayo Clinic and they suggested we try Amikacin. Well, I really have no major problems with the Amikacin, but the local pharmacist was dead set about filling the prescription because Amikacin and Azithromycin together can lead to heart stoppage. Great! Well, I have a 30-day supply of all of the drugs, but now the doctor is talked with someone at the UT (Tyler) who suggests trying the Amikacin in a nebulizer form. So I have the proper nebulizer and compressor.....but my drug plan does not cover the nebulizer version of Amikacin--only the injection form, which seems odd to me. And, honestly, at this point in time, and from what I have researched, I would prefer the nebulizer form. The oral form actually concerns me. But, that's where we are at right now..............so now you know as little as I do. And I'm sort of frustrated by the fact that we've now gone through 4-5 months--starting and stopping medications-- without making any progress that I can see. I just hope we can get this thing cleared up sooner rather than later..........................if possible. It is really good that I already have a "Reveal" heart loop recorder implanted, so I can send unusual events to my cardiologist.......................... And my doctors know I'll let them know about any problems...................of course that still doesn't cover all possibilities............
showing a new nodule in my right lung, which isn't really getting me excited, and I will have another CTscan soon. We have had some major issues trying to find the right medication that I can tolerate. The treatment for this infection, affectionatelyn know as Non-Tuberculosis Mycobacterium or any of several other alphabet groups, is a regimen of three drugs....Azithromycin, Ethanbutol and generally Rifampin or Rifambutol. As it turn out, both of them ended up giving me fevers by the
evening--ones up between 101 F and 1012 F. So the doctor dealt with folks at the Mayo Clinic and they suggested we try Amikacin. Well, I really have no major problems with the Amikacin, but the local pharmacist was dead set about filling the prescription because Amikacin and Azithromycin together can lead to heart stoppage. Great! Well, I have a 30-day supply of all of the drugs, but now the doctor is talked with someone at the UT (Tyler) who suggests trying the Amikacin in a nebulizer form. So I have the proper nebulizer and compressor.....but my drug plan does not cover the nebulizer version of Amikacin--only the injection form, which seems odd to me. And, honestly, at this point in time, and from what I have researched, I would prefer the nebulizer form. The oral form actually concerns me. But, that's where we are at right now..............so now you know as little as I do. And I'm sort of frustrated by the fact that we've now gone through 4-5 months--starting and stopping medications-- without making any progress that I can see. I just hope we can get this thing cleared up sooner rather than later..........................if possible. It is really good that I already have a "Reveal" heart loop recorder implanted, so I can send unusual events to my cardiologist.......................... And my doctors know I'll let them know about any problems...................of course that still doesn't cover all possibilities............
I hope your continued health problems soon improve!
ReplyDeleteAlexis, having lost my spouse to lung disease, my heart goes out to you in this. Thoughts and Prayers friend. >:)
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