Prophylaxis antibiotics

[Titch1908]

Does anyone take long term antibiotics? I have had several chest infections, this last year some requiring hospital admissions, last one was only 2 weeks ago for 6 days. I'm back on antibiotics again as I have another one. Respiratory team are now discussing prophylaxis antibiotics. On day 6 of antibiotics and still feel horrific and coughing up thick green mucus still. Have been for months.

[Hidden]

Yes, I take azithromycin 3 x weekly

[Titch1908 in reply to Hidden]

Do you find it helps?

[Hidden in reply to Titch1908]

I think it does, yes. It has an anti-inflammatory effect, apparently

[risabel59]

I also took azithromycin 3 times weekly for 4 years. My consultant then took me off it for a range of reasons, but said if necessary I could go back to it. However you will need a different antibiotic in your rescue pack if you do this. I also found it really helpful Cheers

R

[Celie1]

Hi, yes I started taking Azithromycin 3 times a week during an exacerbation earlier this year, where I seemed to be stuck on prednisolone. I think it helped more than everything else, to get me off the pred and the shortness of breath is a lot better now. I’ve been taking them for a few months, my asthma nurse says they can take up to 6 months to take effect. Hope it works for you 🤞

[Poobah]

Azithromycin is used in certain cases, even where there's no infection, as it's a good anti inflammatory for some asthmatics. I don't respond well to steroids and Azithromycin is more effective for me, but just for asthma control, not for a chest infection. 3 tablets pw for 4 months. I had to have several tests before I was placed on Azithromycin in order to establish my suitability.

I got into a cycle of chest infections some years back (8 in one year) as my immune system was weakened by the onset of anaemia. Even though I was treated with multiple courses of antibiotics, the turning point was treatment for the anaemia, which kept getting missed as everyone thought my symptoms were asthma related (very short of breath, weakness and fatigue). Not saying that this is what's happening to you, but it's easy to overlook underlying causes.

I hope you find a resolution.

[teddyd]

Been on azithromycin for about 10 years. It was a game changer for me. Went from infection after infection and courses of antibiotics and felt I got my life back.I still on occasions get chest infections but not the way I previously did.

[Muldrew]

I have now done two weeks of azithromycin (for three days 500mg one tablet)This was after a six week chest infection which they tried to treat with amoxicillin and prednisone (5th this year)

I will discuss this being a more regular thing as Poobah suggests with the my care team

I am kinda between COPD and asthma

Thank you for this conversation and good luck to all!!

[Pipsqueak77]

Hi

Have been on prophylactic Azith ( 250mg x 6 days a week) for about 8yrs now. It does really help my asthma and has been great ( stomach upsets aside..!)

However as has been mentioned this antibiotic is used in asthma primarily for its anti-inflammatory properties more so than it’s anti bacterial ones. So it might not really help that much with repetitive infections.. have they def said Azith or maybe a different antibiotic?

I generally switch between Azith and Septrin to control my chest infections/asthma and possible resistance to either.

Good Luck

😊👍