What should I do . . . . . . ?

[jeanjeannie50]

I'm booked for a cardioversion next Wednesday, have waited 6 weeks for it. (heart has been racing constantly all that time and I haven't been able to do much). Problem is since Monday I've a really nasty chest infection and cough, have never had anything like it before. My GP offered me antibiotics a few days ago, but never having had anything like this before I thought it would soon clear up and I would be o.k. Do I ring him tomorrow and ask for them now before the weekend? What antibiotics can be taken alongside warfarin and will they upset my INR? Am worrying that my cardioversion may have to be cancelled, then I'll just sit and cry!

[BobD Volunteer]

Jean, antibiotics will screw your INR level one way or the other. Another point to make is that pan European research last year into antibiotics and chest infections found that they got better regardless of whether you took antibiotics or not and just as fast. Unless it is something other than a normal chest infection, for example pleurisy or pneumonia you would be better without them knowing your INR situation. I was in a similar situation once prior to an ablation and they told me that so long as I was not bringing up coloured flegm they would carry on. Food for thought.?

Bob

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to BobD]

Hi Bob - Thank you for responding. I agree with you about taking antibiotics - not to unless you really have to. As luck will have it I'm feeling so much better today, so won't be asking for them. Think someone must have waved a magic wand as have been so poorly all week.

Jean

[mumknowsbest Volunteer]

Well Bob as usual you are right, but stress if you are coughing up horrid yellow stuff then go for the antibiotics. I think the rest will depend on the anesthetist. Like everything else they are all different,

Good luck

Eileen

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to mumknowsbest]

Hi - Thank you for responding. I was coughing up the horrid yellow stuff all over the last three days and was particularly bad yesterday, but am so much better today so won't get a prescription now.Strange that as soon as I write on here I get so much better, hmm wonder if it's the power of thought!!

[lizwright]

I have to have antibiotics when I get an infection and I do not get better without them, in fact I get so bad that I end up in hospital. Every one of us is different. I've suffered at the hands of this research until Papworth finally stepped in and made my life much easier by insisting on treatment for infections and now I don't get any.

[jeanjeannie50]

HI Liz - Well I guess getting this infection was a message to me not to brag (I told someone last week that I never get colds etc). I'm so much better today it's amazing. This is the first time I've ever had a chest infection or a cough in my life! I was 14 before I had my first cold and go years without getting one. Oh dear, I'm bragging again! Until my late teens I lived on a farm and I'm sure this has made me more germ and cold resistant. Thank you for your response.

Jean