COPD exacerbations.

[Yendo]

I was diagnosed with COPD in 2004 and until recently it was well controlled and I remained in the “moderate” category. However, following a holiday in Mexico, I came home and within days was laid low with a COPD exacerbation, lots of thick, brown mucus, lightheaded, feeling awful. It took a week to get medication but I was prescribed 400mg moxifloxacin (5 days) and 50 mg prednisone (7 days). I also began having joint problems, pain in hip which would shift to knee, at the same time. I still didn’t feel well and was still coughing up brown mucus from the airways. Then again in April I came down with another exacerbation. Moxifloxacin 400 mg (7 days this time) 50 mg prednisone (7 days). I’ve just finished taking these prescriptions but I’m still coughing up thick, brown mucus. I talked to another doctor today and he has prescribed doxycycline for 7 days. Still feeling rough and lightheaded. Doctor said not to worry about brown mucus as it takes a few days after treatment to clear residual mucus from lungs. I think I’m still infected, Hope the doxycycline does the trick. Found out the moxifloxacin can affect the joints. Any observations anyone?

[sassy59]

Hopefully the doxy will work for you as it is a good antibiotic generally. Wishing you well and feel better soon.

[Yendo in reply to sassy59]

Thank you, Sassy, fingers crossed!

[Izb1]

Doxy usually works for me but I need 2 weeks, fingers crossed it works for you. Did you get a sputum sample into your doctors as they need to know what they are dealing with, if not speak with your gp x

[Yendo in reply to Izb1]

They never asked for a sputum test, but they sent me for a chest x-ray which was clear. Starting the doxy today. Thanks for your input.

[gingermusic]

I am always prescribed Doxycycline but for 15 days seven is not usually long enough.

[Yendo in reply to gingermusic]

Thanks gingermusic. I did 7 days on moxifloxacin which didn’t seem to clear the infection. Hopefully the doxy will finish the job. Thanks for the feedback.

[gingermusic in reply to Yendo]

Fingers crossed for you

[Yendo in reply to gingermusic]

Many thanks, gingermusic.

[B0xermad]

Hi sounds like it has a hold on you and takes a few weeks to clear ,sometimes you may need a mucus thinner to help clear what's left stuck in the lungs to get it out after the antibiotics and prednisolone have done their job .wishing you better soon

[Yendo in reply to B0xermad]

Thanks BOxermad for the good wishes.

[Phill1]

If the doxy doesn’t clear it up soon You need to know what the bug is ..so take a sputum sample to your GP and ask that it is tested .

[Yendo in reply to Phill1]

If the doxy doesn’t clear the infection I will do that. Thanks for the advice, Phill 1.

[Alberta56]

I hope the doxy will sort out the nasty little bugs. Agree that a fortnight's medication is normally required. Are you on Carbocisteine to thin the mucus? Moxyfloxacin sounds pretty horrible. I hope you beginning to get over the illness and the effects of the medication.

[Yendo in reply to Alberta56]

No, not given any mucus thinners. My GP told me if this doesn’t work I should go to ER. I’m in Canada where the health system is far from perfect. Thanks for the feedback, Alberta56.

[Alberta56 in reply to Yendo]

An awful lot of us on this forum are on Carbocisteine. In Britain they seem to dish it out pretty freely.

[Yendo in reply to Alberta56]

I’ll see if it’s available in Canada. Thanks for your advice.

[Shirleyj]

If it continues ask GP for a sputum test to be done, you will then be prescribed the best antibiotics to kill off the bugs .

[Yendo in reply to Shirleyj]

Good advice, Shirleyj, thank you. I will submit a sputum sample if the doxy doesn’t work.

[Germantara]

Sorry to hear you're having a rough time I hope doxycyline does the trick and you begin to feel better

[Yendo in reply to Germantara]

Thank you, Germantara.

[Patk1]

Do u dolung clearance sessions using acbt etc.if you dont,do look at aluk website,watch videos and do get the infected mucous up.i use disposable cups so I know amount and consistency,colour etc. And dispose of with tissues and nappy bags.

[Yendo in reply to Patk1]

Thank you for your advice, Patk1. Sounds like a good idea to check out the aluk website, I’ll definitely follow up.

[MoyB]

How are your sinusses? D.i.l. has been suffering for months with coughing great plugs of brown mucous but chest is clear on x-ray. Now thinking it may be upper respiratory and coming down from sinus cavities.

She has no long term medical conditions apart from this which has been a problem since January.

I am also having sinus problems since having COVID in October. I'm not getting brown mucous, but am getting lots of sticky clear mucous which is difficult to clear despite taking carbosistein three times a day. Am awaiting ENT appt as sense of smell and taste are not right.

If any of these things resonate with you, perhaps ask for sinusses to be checked too.

Hope you soon get some relief from it. Xx Moy

[Yendo in reply to MoyB]

Good point, MoyB. I do have problems with post-nasal drip, but I flush out the sinuses every day with NeilMed sinus rinse, amazing what comes out of there sometimes. Thanks for your input.

[MoyB in reply to Yendo]

Thanks to you also. I'm going to check out the sinus rinse you mentioned. Xx Moy

[Solily]

Hope the doxy is working and you are feeling better. It has worked for me but usually take it for a few weeks. Fingers crossed... have not had a flare up so far this year. Mine usually flares up with the first big day outdoors gardening!

[Yendo in reply to Solily]

This is my last day on the doxycycline and it has worked for me, the airways are pretty clear now. I should probably have been on doxy from the beginning instead of the moxifloxacin. I have now had my inhaler changed from Trelegy to Breztri Aerosphere and so far (1 week) I seem to be doing ok on it. Will know better after finishing the doxycycline later today.