Antibiotics. OK?

Posted , 3 users are following.

I notice that a lot of sufferers seem to be on permanent low doses of anti-biotics to reduce risks of infection. This was suggested to me several years ago, but I felt that permanent anti-biotics may reduce the effectiveness of the treatment, and I didn't like the idea of what that may do to my healthy bacteria.

For the past two years however my infection rate has increased - last year I had 13 infections, and I'm wondering if this level of infection would be reduced by continously taking a low dose?

If anyone has any experience of this I would very interested to hear from you.

Thanks,

John B

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • Posted

    I have just been prescribed continual anti biotic use, as last year I had 37 courses of antibiotics, I was only diagnosed with bronch last March, 2007, after years & years of illness, I had Measles & T. B. as a small child, so at the age of 62yrs, my G.P. apologised, as I have had the incorrect treatment all of my life, and it is now to late. I like you, do not want to have to take continual drugs, and I do not know what the future holds, as half of the antibiotics are now of know use. I have had C.diff and three psychdomonas infections, all caused though antibiotcs. I hope you have better luck than me bes t wishes :?:[b:e66642ade7][/b:e66642ade7]
  • Posted

    I have been low dosage antibiotics for over a year and have found that the number of infections have reduced to tewo or three a year; where they had been increasing to every couple of weeks. It therefore means that I am not having as many powerful antibiotics so that their effectiveness can be kept in reserve. I would recommend the trickle antibiotic.
  • Posted

    Thanks for this Elissa and Brian. If Elissa had 37 infections in a year perhaps I should not complain about my 13! Anyway I've arranged to see a specialist later this month so will discuss the pros and cons of a constant low dose. I also want to ask about Mannitol, a substance that helps clear the lungs. I don't know if you have heard of this, but there have been trials of this drug but it is not yet available?
  • Posted

    Mannitol is being trialed again its going for its phase 3 trial which is required before it can file a marketing application in Europe. The company that is trying to get it off the ground is called Pharmaxis
  • Posted

    Hi John

    i have taken a high dose of anti biotics for five years and my infections have been 3-5 per year it has opened new doors for me also my gp is brilliant at helping me cope with this condition. The lung foundations breathe easy group is also an excellent information service how ever at the group there is only one other bronchiectasis sufferer so we can talk about our illness. This has also shown me that there is a light at the end of the tunnel as she is now medication free after years of suffering.

    Hope this is of some use

    Liz

  • Posted

    I was diagnosed with Bronchiectasis 6 weeks ago & started anti-biotics 3 times a week & Mucodyne capsules as well as my usual range of Asthma inhalers. The results have been life changing, my breathing is so much better that I can go for long walks in the cold and even exercise. I was becoming depressed at being constantly ill, last Winter I had 11 chest infections, including 4 emergency dashes to A & E, I had already had 6 infections so far this Winter. I was housebound in cold weather & had given up foreign holidays as I had often become ill even in Summer. I think you should give regular anti-biotics a go. Regards Glasgirl :wink:
  • Posted

    hi as a bronchieasis sufferer I am on inhalers low dose antibiotics and mucodyne my symptoms range from excessive coughing,bringing up of huge amounts of mucus no pattern as to when this happens at present I do not use the physios breathing method.but most embarrassing when you are in public very tiring. at present I do not feel I am in control of this disease.

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