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Strange....

Posted , 7 users are following.

janet24
janet24

I really don't know how to begin this but would just like to share with you all some success I'm having at the moment.

I've been poorly for quite a long time. this bout anyway, which seemed to be my asthma out of control, I still have BX of course.

During October I was prescribed Septrin a daily antibiotic. As far as I knew I didn't have any side effects. But I seemed to be going from one course of prednisolone to the next because of breathing difficulties.

I kept seeing the GP who wasn't much help and finally put me on a graduated dose of steroids...coming down 1mg every 3 days. That would have meant I wouldn't finish this course until almost the end of February. I wasn't prepared to do that!!

I started wondering if the Septrin was causing me 'breathlessness'? I checked the side affects...yes was possible so I rang my pharmacist (Saturday afternoon) and she suggested I stopped it for 48hrs and also monitored my peak flow...it was a poorly 150 at that time.

Almost immediately I noticed the difference and my peak flow increased to 200.

I also had another 'light bulb' moment. My asthma has always been allergy related so I started taking a daily antihistamine again. (I'd stopped taking them back in 2016 when a nutritionist wanted a blood test, I didn't restart them and shortly afterwards was diagnosed with BX.)

I can't tell you all how different my breathing is now....peak flow 250, 8 days off Septrin and 5 days with an antihistamine. I altered the dose of the prednisolone to down 5mg every 3 days so am due to finish those on Tuesday.

I know my consultant won't have a problem with any of this self discovery and altering the meds around. The GP would be an entirely different matter...LOL.

4 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • elizabeth49611
    elizabeth49611 janet24

    Posted

    It's good that you are taking a proactive approach to this illness. That's what I did and with the changes in my meds and other factors, I have been feeling a lot better.

    Beth

  • debra64041
    debra64041 janet24

    Posted

    Hi Janet! So happy for your success! My experience too has taught me that we must listen to our drs but also go with our intuition for our own best outcome. I really think drs are guessing a lot of the time and we just go into their "stats". Thank you for sharing! Debi

    • janet24
      janet24 debra64041

      Posted

      Thanks Debi.

      I suddenly became intolerant to 30mg of steroids, they gave me terrible head pain so I stopped them. The GP found my blood pressure sky high so has laboured on that wanting me to do a 24hr monitor and ECG.

      I dropped my dose to 20mg....my BP has always been 125/65 etc, and settled again quickly. I have no intention of adding BP to my list.

      Yes I think you're right about doctors having a guess at how to treat us...

  • sue00942
    sue00942 janet24

    Posted

    So good to hear you are improving. Hope you keep it up.

    • janet24
      janet24 sue00942

      Posted

      Thanks Sue.

      I'm due to stop the steroids on Tuesday so hope my breathing stays stable too.

      My consultant is intending to refer me to the Royal Brompton Hospital for some IgE treatment because I've had so many steroids this year, well 2018.

      I have a lung function test next week so will see how I do then.

  • stevesm1
    stevesm1 janet24

    Posted

    Good for you! Some times, it is best to listen to your own body. Very best wishes!

  • pinksnugsy
    pinksnugsy janet24

    Posted

    Hi there

    Im allergic to septrin. It also gave me a tight chest and a rash all over. So glad you had a light bulb moment!

    Hope you continue to improve.

    Best wishes

    Rach x

    • janet24
      janet24 pinksnugsy

      Posted

      Thanks Rach.

      I think if I'd had a rash I would have sussed it straight away but as my breathing is generally 'tight' it took me a little longer. Of course I knew the steroids would ease the situation but when it didn't...that's when I began to question what was going on.

      Were you offered an alternative to Septrin?

      Best wishes to you too and hope you're doing alright too.

      Janet xx

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