Page 26 - NTM Insight Pamphlet 2024

THE ROLE OF REFERRALS
NTM is frequently misdiagnosed and often not tested for.
Your local pulmonary or infectious disease specialist is usually the first to diagnose an NTM infection. For an online Physician Referral List and links to treatment centers, visit ntminfo.org.
Developing a treatment plan is complex. You may wish to ask your doctor about a referral to a center that specializes in the treatment of NTM infections. Because treating this disease is complex, you might want to look for doctors who are willing to work with other medical professionals as part of your “treatment team.” These may include internal medicine specialists, respiratory therapists, dieticians, nutritionists, mental health professionals, and physical therapists.
If you have found something that works for you, that is great! But before you try anything, particularly something that you ingest or inject, please consult your physician. Certain vitamins and minerals (calcium, for example) can interfere with the effectiveness of certain antibiotics, as can certain food products, so it is important that your doctors know what you are taking in case you need to schedule those differently from your prescribed medications. You can also consult with your pharmacist about drug/supplement interactions.
In addition, you should never start or stop any prescribed medication or treatment without consulting your doctor first.
LIVING WITH NTM
Quality of Life Issues
NTM infection is a serious illness that has an impact on your life, and it can have a significant impact on your family’s life as well. You may feel like your relatives and friends do not understand what you are going through. It is difficult for someone who has never faced NTM to grasp what it is like to live with it, particularly when it is a disease they have not heard of before.
INSIGHT - A Patient’s Perspective
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